Unit 4: Science and Technology in the Francophone World

La French Tech

The ecosystem of French startups and government initiative to support them.

Station F

The world's largest startup campus located in Paris.

Fintech

Technology designed to improve and automate financial services.

Pasteurization

A process invented by Louis Pasteur that revolutionized public health by killing harmful bacteria in food.

Radioactivity

A term associated with Marie Curie's work which led to advances in cancer treatment.

The Smart Card

An invention by Roland Moreno that serves as the basis for credit cards and SIM cards.

Cinematograph

Invented by Les Frères Lumière, marking the birth of modern cinema.

Aérospatiale

The organization leading the European Space Agency's Ariane rocket program.

TGV

A high-speed train in France representing engineering excellence.

La Fracture Numérique

The digital divide between those who have access to technology and those who do not.

La technologie mobile

Mobile technology that is widely used, especially in Francophone Africa.

Mobile Banking

A system used in West Africa where mobile payment systems replace traditional bank accounts.

Bioethics

The study of the moral implications of biological and medical procedures.

La dignité du corps humain

The principle emphasizing respect for human dignity in bioethics.

Gestation pour autrui

Surrogacy, which is currently illegal in France.

PMA (Procréation médicalement assistée)

IVF, recently legalized for single women and lesbian couples in France.

OGM (Organismes Génétiquement Modifiés)

Genetically Modified Organisms, which the French public is generally skeptical of.

RGPD (GDPR)

A strict European regulation protecting user data privacy.

Les Réseaux Sociaux

Social media platforms that facilitate information sharing and connectivity.

Cyber-bullying

Harassment that occurs through digital platforms.

Hadopi

An agency in France that monitors and addresses digital piracy.

Un internaute

An internet user.

Le numérique

Digital technology and the digital world.

Un brevet

A patent, vital for protecting inventions.

L'ADN (m)

DNA, the molecule containing genetic information.

Une cellule souche

Stem cell, an undifferentiated cell with the potential to develop into other cell types.

L'intelligence artificielle (IA)

Artificial Intelligence, the simulation of human intelligence in machines.

Une centrale nucléaire

Nuclear power plant, a significant source of energy in France.

Télécharger

To download or upload files from the internet.

Naviguer sur internet

To browse the internet.

Guérir

To cure or heal from an illness.

Cloner

To produce a genetically identical copy of an organism.

Nuire à

To harm, as in pollutants harming health.

Nocif / Nocive

Harmful; describes substances or actions that cause harm.

Éthique / Non-éthique

Ethical / Unethical, terms used to describe moral issues.

Innovant(e)

Innovative; describes something new and creative.

Efficace

Efficient or effective in achieving desired results.

La Sécurité Sociale (la Sécu)

France's public health insurance system ensuring medical access.

Égalité d'accès

Equality of access, particularly in reference to healthcare and technology.

Pénurie numérique

Digital scarcity where resources are limited.

Inégalités technologiques

Technological inequalities among different populations.

E-commerce

Commercial transactions conducted electronically on the internet.

Télémédecine

Telemedicine, the practice of providing healthcare remotely using technology.

Monétisation

The process of converting something into money or a financial asset.

Éducation numérique

Digital education, the integration of technology into teaching and learning.

Cyber-sécurité

The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.

Alimentation durable

Sustainable food systems that minimize environmental impact.

Technologie verte

Green technology aimed at sustainable development.