Per Ardua Ad Astra

Finally, I managed to put this one up in one complete and coherent piece! Stupid Friendster never allows me to post a Word document without editing the dammed codes.

Basically, this is my Paper 3 written for a USP module which got an astounding A+ grade (if this is a dream, nobody wake me up!). It was also with this paper that I got the only A for my modules and judging from the initial look at the results, ironically the most difficult module of this semester gave me my highest grade. Thus, although the first battle in the war appears to be a general rout, winning this skirmish gave cause for hope. And as Samuel Smiles said, “Hope, is the companion of power and mother of success;
for who so hopes strongly has within him a gift of miracles.”

Since this paper was accomplished with the generous help and support from those who turned up to answer the call in the midst of their own busy schedules, I decided to post this paper to acknowledge their respective contributions to the paper. Thanks guys, this wouldn’t have gone so well without your feedbacks! With the exception of some minor modifications there and here, the paper below is the same version I submitted for grading. The original text is 2194 words long compared to the final version of 2200 words. The acknowledgement section placed towards the end is not meant to minimise the help I’ve received, but rather in following what I presumed to be the proper style for writing a paper, and not a book. Plus, in posting the paper for public viewing, I had originally wanted to change the order of the sections, but settled otherwise in preserving the layout (partly because I don’t want to alter the HTML codes too much and it might destroy the flow of thought).

Here’s the paper.

*START OF PAPER*

Paper 3: Original Essay About `Singaporean Progress’ Using >2 Sources

Course Code and Title: UWC2101K Questioning Evolution and Progress

Lecturer: Dr. Andrew Leng

Title:Gattaca, Singapore’s Biomedical Future?

Date: 6th November 2006

Abstract

The motive of this paper is to examine Singapore’s embrace of biomedicine as a core economic activity. Subsequently, its thesis is to show that apart from economic motivations, the social Darwinist tendencies of the nation’s founder, Lee Kuan Yew indicates that there may be social engineering motivations in pursuing biomedicine. This motivation could entail reshaping Singaporean society into one similar to that depicted in the 1997 movie Gattaca. In examining the possibility of a social engineering agenda, this paper will examine the possible groundwork being established to support the dualism of the biomedical initiative. The paper’s greatest strength is in the strong grounding of its speculation on already established facts. However, due to the breadth and exploratory nature of this paper’s thesis, the simplification of complex dynamics operating in Singapore and the inherent inability to predict the future of biomedicine and Singapore’s future plans for this economic ‘pillar’ poses significant limitations on its accuracy. In rewriting this paper, more emphasis is given to close reading Lee Kuan Yew’s quotes and government policy statements as well as tightening the paper’s focus to economic and social engineering influences on the biomedical initiative.

Prologue

The not-too-distant future

1.                  Society is driven by liberal eugenics. Social class is determined by genetic perfection. Children of the middle and upper classes are designer babies, genetically engineered for maximum optimisation of their parents’ genetic material, called ‘Valids’. Meanwhile, those conceived naturally are known pejoratively as ‘In-Valids’ (as in ‘invalid’). A genetic registry database exists to distinguish ‘Valids’ from ‘In-Valids’. Use of this registry for genoism (genetic discrimination) is illegal. However, genoism is widely practised in society as wide prevalence of genetic sequencing equipment allows easy access to genotype profiling. Thus ‘Valids’ are favoured for professional employment while "In-Valids" are relegated to menial jobs.

2.                  Enter Vincent, an “In-Valid”. Born with nearly eradicated physical dysfunctions of myopia and congenital heart defect and a predicted short life expectancy, he faced extreme discrimination. To achieve his ambition of becoming an astronaut, he assumes the identity of swimming star Jerome, a ‘Valid’ paraplegic as a result of a botched suicide attempt when he could not accept winning second place in a swimming competition in light of his genetic superiority. (Sci-Fi Movie Page)

Gattaca, Singapore’s Biomedical Future?

1.                  The prologue describes the movie Gattaca, which depicted a future where racism is replaced by genoism when reprogenics became commonplace in society as a result of medical advancements. In 1999, Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) laid out the roadmap for its continued economic success in the 21^st century, called ‘The Industry 21 Programme (I-21)’. In a seemingly cold-blooded and calculated move, it stipulated embracing biomedicine as the ‘fourth pillar’ of its manufacturing sector alongside electronics, chemicals and engineering. From 2001-2015, Singapore plans to spend SGD15 billion in funding the biomedical initiative. This essay will examine the reasons that led to Singapore’s embrace of biomedical science instead of other alternatives. Although this move is justified primarily for economic reasons, this essay will argue that a social engineering agenda may also be a motivation.

2.                  Biomedicine is defined as the “branch of medical science that applies biological and physiological principles to clinical practice” (Wordnet) and reprogenics as the “resulting changes in reproductive behaviour” brought by advancements in genetic engineering (WFS). In a CNN interview, recent developments are summarised thus:

Doctors can already examine the genetic makeup of human embryos before pregnancy during the in vitro fertilization process. Researchers have already identified genetic markers for more than a dozen diseases…. Couples can choose to implant only embryos that appear to be free of these abnormalities and discard the rest (CNN).

In 2004, the BBC reported that British ministers were considering the introduction of genetic testing for all newborn babies and had asked the Human Genetics Commission (HGC) to examine the proposal (Dunne).

3.                  Why biomedicine as the new economic ‘pillar’? For SGD15 billion, space exploration and tourism, robotics and renewable energy sources are all high-tech industries that Singapore can embrace with both near term and long term payoffs. Granted, there are many countries investing in similar biological sciences initiatives, but Singapore is the only country with so much commitment and resources allocated to its own project. This approach is slightly unusual, given that EDB has sacrificed flexibility for this ‘hit-or-miss’ strategy. The EDB could conceivably take a surer path in achieving economic growth by spreading out its investments in the said alternative industries before deciding on which industries to commit to. Instead, the current trajectory suggests that Singapore considers biomedicine a must-have: ‘the future’ and vital for its survival. This indicates that economic motivation may not be sufficient to explain Singapore’s choice. Unusually, this is an apparent departure on Singapore’s usual disproportionate emphasis on economy.

4.                  In explaining why biomedicine was chosen, EDB Chairman Philip Yeo was quoted as saying

We were looking for something Singapore could be active in the post-genomic era. We’ve already got engineering industries…so we needed to do something else. (Technology)

This emphasis on the ‘post-genomic era’ hints at a special identification of Singapore with biomedicine, as if it were a natural progression for Singapore to accept it and the time has come. It also highlights the interest in ‘organic’ industries, a departure from the previous focus in ‘inorganic’/‘mechanical’ industries. The 21^st century is hailed by some as the century of biomedicine, but relatively few has hailed a ‘post-genomic’ era. This is again a deviation from the norm. By use of the word genomic, Mr. Yeo seems to be making a reference to the Human Genome Project (HGP), of which the importance he placed on HGP is more obvious in a speech he gave:

With the near completion of the [HGP], the landscape of Biomedical Sciences has changed. Soon we will know the whole sequence of the entire human genome. And from there, enter the post-genomic (or really post-Human Genome DNA sequence) era. The potential for biomedical application for health and economic benefit is enormous. (Yeo)

From this speech, it is apparent that genomics is the key to Singapore’s designs for biomedicine. Also, the prioritisation of health benefits over economic ones seems to weaken any claims that biomedicine is embraced for a strictly economic reason.

5.                  In looking for a second reason, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s thoughts would provide some extra insight. Lee’s influence is immense, as he practically invented Singapore and the small city-state is currently helmed by leaders that he helped cultivate. Thus, his ideas are a guide in understanding Singapore’s cornerstone policies and the key to unlocking Singapore’s vision of the future. In Ho Weizan’s paper “Rationalising the SDU: Singapore’s Struggle with the Fruits of Progress”, Lee was quoted as concluding that human performance is determined by 80% genetic and 20% environmental factors (Ho 40). Also, Time magazine describes Lee’s social engineering philosophy in improving the Singaporean citizen: through careful marriages, good breeding and cultivated deference to the [elite] (Time).

6.                  Mechanisms like the Social Development Unit, meritocracy, elitism and stringent laws are already in place to enforce the first and last part of Lee’s social engineering blueprint. However, until now there was not much that could be done about good breeding except hoping that nature would cooperate and allow children to have their parents’ good genes. Through reprogenics, there could be a way to ‘optimise’ the passing of good genes to subsequent generations. In a stroke, the dualism of biomedicine is unveiled. Biomedicine is meant not only an economic ‘pillar’, but also a social ‘pillar’. Subsequently, the performance of a Singaporean could be ‘improved’ following Lee’s line of reasoning.

7.                  Furthermore, reprogenics isn’t just useful in helping to regulate the genes that get passed on to successive generations. Fertility treatments can address the issue of infertility, helping to reduce the declining birth rate in Singapore that is worrying the ruling elite. Also, other advancements in life sciences will help ensure that Singaporeans will be less prone to chronic diseases and have a longer life expectancy. These measures will give Singapore’s citizens a more fulfilling life. Besides that, human resources, the only resource Singapore has in any measure of abundance will be progressively ‘improved’ as well as increased. The resultant effect reprogenics could have on productivity will have a positive effect on the nation’s economy. When examined based on its potential benefits to its society, Singapore’s decision is clear. From Mr. Yeo’s pragmatic perspective, by prioritising health benefits first, economic benefits will invariably follow in the long run. Thus, the new initiative still has a primarily economic motivation. Nevertheless, this does not discount the possibility of social engineering as a hidden motivation.

8.                  In the meantime, Singapore could potentially be laying the groundwork for reprogenics. The Bioethics Advisory Committee (BAC) has been formed to develop Singapore’s bioethics framework in 2000. At the moment, this framework only involves biomedical research. Additionally, the Genome Institute of Singapore is pursuing the “integration of technology, genetics and biology towards the goal of individualized medicine” (GIS). Given GIS’s final goal of ‘individualised medicine’ through ‘genetics, it is likely that the BAC will be tasked with the bioethics of reprogenics similar to the HGC in the future.

9.                  How does translational research in the biomedicine sector translate to social gains? Hypothetically, reprogenics could be a solution to Singapore’s problem with national identity. Artificial categorical classifications of ethnicity (Chinese, Indian, Malay and Others) developed during the British colonial period was naturalised into the Singaporean government today (Ang 185). Ho points out that current practice have the potential to perpetuate class stratification (Ho 42). Given the country’s unending quest of attaining perfection and the problematic practice of categorising Singaporeans by race in forming a national identity, it would be attractive to embrace a radically simpler and more ‘natural’ classification. This solution is an identity of ‘genetic superiority’. Such an identity would merge Western individualism and Asian collectivism into the fundamental nature of a Singaporean. It would be a ‘superior’ society which consists of talented individuals with strong identification with each other on a genetic basis, each capable of ‘outstanding’ achievements.

10.              That Lee is entertaining this hypothetical scenario may not be too far-fetched. In Michael D. Barr’s paper titled “Lee Kuan Yew: Race, Culture and Genes”, he wrote extensively on Lee’s theories of how racial culture may act as a selection pressure on certain genes. If Lee agrees that the problem with the economic and educational under-performance of the Malays was both cultural and genetic (Barr 147), then the biomedicine initiative could address the genetic factor in the performance equation for the underperforming ethnic groups. That would leave him free to pursue the cultural factor, consistent with Lee’s increasing preoccupation with culture since the ‘70s that Barr noted, after economic stability has been achieved. This is uncomfortably eugenic as genomic manipulation is racially biased. Lee made these views mostly based on biased personal observations and anecdotal evidence, [lacking scientific proofs]. Therefore, any ideas that arise out of this contemplation is unproven and thus [potentially] dangerous.

11.              Such a national identity would encourage genoism. In a future Singaporean society resembling Gattaca, could it resist the temptation to use genetics as a method of assessment? In Gattaca, a society that prides itself on genetic perfection led to discrimination faced by ‘In-Valids’ like Vincent. In awarding scholarships, for example, if human potential is 80% genetic following Lee’s reasoning, then all an applicant would need to succeed is to have the best genes. Resumes and CVs would no [longer] be necessary. This will potentially drive a downward spiral for the class of people who chose to let nature run its course or are unable to pay for reprogenics. This would be a eugenics program that was not state-mandated but driven by economic and peer pressure. At this point, liberal eugenics ceases to be different from negative eugenics. Furthermore, expectations could become unrealistic. In the case of Eugene in Gattaca, he was a ‘Valid’ who ‘only’ achieved second place in a swimming competition. Unable to accept this ‘defeat’, he attempts suicide. Later on, he remarked that telling people about his family disowning him would not be surprising to many. Is this the desired society that is civilised and developed, consistent with Asian and Western values?

12.              It can be argued that reprogenics is biotechnology intensive and would not fit [into] Singapore’s biomedical plan. Singapore seems to be considering biomedical science and human biotechnology under an umbrella enterprise and this paper treats it as such. On the point that no official policy currently sanctions reprogenics in social engineering, this point is largely conceded on the grounds that this essay is meant to be an extrapolation of current policies that has the potential in prospecting the use of reprogenics in the future. The validity of this essay could only be confirmed in due time as the social engineering plans may still be on the drawing board. Arguments that society in Singapore would not accept reprogenics can also be countered. A survey on Singaporean student and parents in Barr’s paper found that they are generally supportive of elitism (Barr 99). Therefore, Singaporean society may actually be receptive of genoism. Also, given the government’s [‘pseudo-autocratic’] style inherited from Lee and cultivation of deference to the elite in Singaporean society, the overbearing dominance of the government in Singapore may inhibit the role independent boards and public play in the system of checks and balances.

13.              In propelling itself towards biomedicine, Singapore could open the doors to economic success and greater social integration, thus [further] securing the nation’s survival. Before we embark on a Holy Grail of genetic perfection, we must address the issues of which gene or set of genes affect specific traits, how artificially manipulating the genome would affect our chances for survival. The ethics and implications of social engineering cannot be neglected just for continued economic growth as the importance of gene pool diversity to our survival cannot be understated. Homogenisation as a result of reprogenics is potentially fatal for the Singaporean society. In conclusion, before we translate the results of biomedical science into application and translate social engineering ideas into reality we must be sure not to solve one problem only to create another. In the quest for perfection and survival in the name of progress, let us not seal our dependence on technology by rashly removing our key ingredient for survival, genetic diversity.

(2,194 + 6 words)

Works Cited

Ang, Ien, and Jon Stratton. “Straddling East and West: Singapore’s Paradoxical

Search for a National Identity.” Asian and Pacific Inscriptions: Identities,

Ethnicities, Nationalities.  Ed. Suvendrini Perera. Victoria : Meridian, 1995.

Dunne, Ray. “Could DNA screening work?” Updated 25 June, 2003.

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3019324.stm>. Cited Nov 6, 2006.

Chang, Johannes Han-Yin. “Culture, state and economic development in Singapore.”

Journal of Contemporary Asia. 33.1 (Manila: 2003): 85-105.

CNN. “CNN Newsroom for May 3, 2001.” Updated 3 May, 2001.

<http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0105/03/nr.00.html>. Cited Nov

6, 2006.

Gattaca. Dir. Andrew Niccol. Perf. Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Gore Vidal, Jude

Law, Xander Berkeley, Jayne Brook, Elias Koteas, Maya Rudolph, Ernest

Borgine. DVD. Columbia Pictures, 1997.

Sci-Fi Movie Page. "GATTACA." <http://www.scifimoviepage.com/gattaca.html>.

Cited 6 Nov 2006.

GIS. “Mission.”

<http://www.gis.a-star.edu.sg/internet/site/about_us.php?f=vision_mission>.

Cited 20 November 2006.

Weizan, Ho. “Rationalising the SDU: Singapore’s Struggle with the Fruits of

Progress.” Folio: Writing and Critical Thinking in the University Scholars

Programme. Ed. Johan Geertsema. Singapore: NUS, 2005. 38-44.

“WordNet.” <http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn>. Cited Nov 6, 2006.

A Vision for Biomedical Sciences in Singapore. By Philip Yeo. National Cancer

Centre, Singapore. 29 March 2001.

Acknowledgement

I would like to acknowledge the extensive contribution of Dr Andrew Robert Leng, lecturer, University Scholars Programme for his input and suggestions on improving the paper. Thank you Dr. Leng!

The author also consulted various undergraduate students for their opinion and feedback over the course of writing the paper and would like to thank them below.

I would like to express gratitude for the kind assistance rendered by Tan Yi Han of the University Scholars Programme, National University of Singapore for taking time off his own Paper 3 assignment to contribute ideas to the paper.

The author of this paper would also like to thank Louis Lee Pershung of the Department of Physics, Imperial College London; Benjamin Lo Hien Pin of the Economics Department, Dartmouth College and last but not least Grace Tan Siew Lim of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University for their thoughtful comments and feedback [which are invaluable] in the process of writing this paper.

Note

Further information on Industry 21 could not be obtained as the link http://203.81.45.8/edbcorp/programmeindustry21.jsp was not functional in the process of researching for the purpose of writing this paper. Due to time constrains, pursuit of a hardcopy version was not considered. The website was last accessed on 23 November, 2006.

*END OF PAPER*

Addendum: Since writing this paper, Scientific American’s January 2007 issue featured a piece by tech mogul Bill Gates titled ‘A Robot in Every Home‘ predicting that the ‘Next Big Thing’ in the 21st century is robotics. That reinforces one of my key assertions in paragraph 3. Why didn’t Singapore agree with Mr. Gates, or at least aim for a larger stake in robotics? After all, Japan is geopolitically closer as a strategic ally in the robotics field. It is also an avenue for greater technical coorperation with the US, more so after the DARPA Grand Challenges. Plus, Singapore seems to have more engineering capital and expertise compared to biomedicine. Robotics will be a welcome addition to Singaporean homes in a few decades, given the existing problem with its birth rate and ageing population (similar to Japan’s, but not as severe).

Why instead aim for ‘hit or miss’ at biomedicine, and coorperate with European (and US) researchers and institutions that are much further away? Of course, without inside information, it’ll be really hard to know why Singapore did what it did. But I’m sure of one thing. We haven’t seen all the cards this tiny island nation has up its sleeve. Sooner or later, time will tell.

P.S.: PX, you owe me one! The hydrogen preoxidase paper review isn’t FOC! It was fun going through it though, really!

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