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* Improvements in technology are important sources of economic development. The TFP (total factor productivity) rise contributes significantly to the economic growth.

* The popularization and increase in ownership of household electric appliances, for example, contributes to a richer lifestyle. Results from areas of science and technology which may initially seem unrelated to the people can often be applied to their activities. One example is the use of space food technology in the manufacture of instant food products.

* With regard to global warming, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change includes a statement on the importance of the role of science and technology. In addition, science and technology have a significant role to play in the development of improved food production techniques and treatments for infectious diseases such as AIDS.

* Science and technology allows us to dream, encourages our curiosity to discover the unknown, and it creates, expands, and improves our perspective of the world, the earth, and our lives. From this point of view, the importance of the role science and technology play in encouraging the advancement of knowledge is clear.