The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) has been pondering how best to improve human life on earth. As such, it has outlined some possible challenges that engineers must focus on to enhance the quality of life around the world. In my opinion, the most important challenges which are perceived vital for humanity to flourish include improving our health by engineering better medicines, restoring and improving urban infrastructure and ensuring access to clean water.
Today, many patients are dying because they differ in response to medicines and susceptibility to diseases. Treatments developed ate standardized for the majority instead of being personalized. However, through genetic science, engineers can help change how medicines are made. In essence, the challenge is to develop improved systems that can better assess patients’ genetic profiles, manage massive volumes of individualized patient data and create rapid diagnostic devices like gene sensors and chips. Traditional medications have proven to prevent disease, and in some cases, they have helped eradicate some such as smallpox. It is important to create vaccines that can treat diseases too. There is a need for more reliable and effective manufacturing methods for vaccines.
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Our infrastructure is aging and failing at an alarming rate. In fact, available funding is inadequate to replace or repair it. The 21 st -century engineers confront the formidable challenge of restoring these structures that support urbanization. This problem has been compounded by the growing population, which seems to stress the society’s support systems. Moreover, terrorist attacks, accidents and natural disasters threaten the security and safety of our infrastructure. Therefore, engineers must design solutions to this problem to promote sustainability, with keen attention to energy use and environmental safety as they contribute to the quality of life.
Today, lack of clean water accounts for most deaths in the world than war. In fact, one out of every six people lack access to clean water and double this number lack proper sanitation for which water is the key ingredient. In some countries, the population lacks access to safe drinking water, and this is the cause of poor health in such countries. This does not mean that the world does not have adequate water. The problem is that water is abundantly available, but it is not located where it is needed. For instance, in Canada, there is plenty of water than the population needs. On the other hand, in Northern America and the Middle East, the population suffers from perpetual water shortages. Overcoming the issue of sanitation and water is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the 21 st century.
