This material was produced by the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ)
under contract to the Ministry of Education in 2000 and 2001. It was written
to assist teachers and schools in their delivery of the technology/ hangarau
curriculum statements. The project was jointly coordinated by personnel
from the Technology Education New Zealand (TENZ)
and National Association of Māori Mathematicians, Scientists and Technologists
(NAMMSAT) networks. Monitoring and evaluation of the material was carried
out by a national project advisory group.
Recent reports from overseas point to development work relating to
an electronic food patch which, when worn like a nicotine patch, could
satisfy a persons hunger for at least 24 hours without the wearer having
to chew or swallow anything.
Called the Transdermal Nutrient Delivery System, the patch contains
a silicon chip which would be able to assess dietary needs. A microelectrical
system would then be activated to transmit the nutrients required into
the bloodstream. Skin pores on the arm would then be opened using electronic
impulses, allowing the nutrients to be pumped directly into the blood
capillaries.
The patch, which is being developed initially by the United States
military, is targeted for use by soldiers working in conditions so extreme
that eating would be too difficult or impractical. By using the patch
soldiers would be able to remain in peak condition without leaving the
battlefield.
The patch could also incorporate chemicals which fool a hungry person's
brain into believing that their stomach is full. Other ingredients might
help reduce stress, tiredness, and muscle fatigue.
A military spokesperson emphasised that the patch would have a number
of civilian uses too, and talks were already underway with several private
companies.
It is expected that such patches are most likely to be used by people
employed in hazardous jobs, such as fire-fighting or cleaning up chemical
spillages, where eating can be impossible. Astronauts on space walks,
mountaineers, explorers, and aid workers are other potential customers.
However the potential use of such patches doesn't excite many of those
working in the restaurant trade. One British chef commented that, "There
is more to healthy eating than simply the nutrients and vitamins that
the food contains: the textures, the aromas, and the pleasure of chewing
... not to mention the company."
The above report is taken from an article in the British Observer
newspaper which was reprinted in the New Zealand Herald on 19
February 2000.
Ideas for classroom use
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if an article such as this is
reporting a genuine technological innovation or if it is fabricated
to be sufficiently plausible to fool the reader into believing its factual
nature. Students could research the issue and a debate could be held
in which groups of students would be asked to justify their opinion
on the validity of the material presented.
The article could be used as a starter to promote class discussion
on a number of fronts, for example:
As an illustration of military developments which quickly spin
off into the huge international consumer market.
Identifying potential uses for the patches and focusing on the
ethics of using it as originally intended and in other potential applications
identified.
Examining the perspective of the many stakeholders in such a technological
innovation – identifying potential winners and losers.
It could be a starter for a unit where special dietary needs were
being considered, with the opinion of the chef being of particular
importance.
