I'd argue that the world is not better off because of science and technology. While this has nothing to do with our science and technology itself, it is important to see who controls these things. Most of the good things that come from science and technology are out of reach from a lot of people. Lets take advances in medicine. This is an area of science that has made a lot of great strides but which is not available to all people. Why? Most of it has to deal with money and the rest has to deal with location. If you don't have the money to afford certain medicine then how is that any good to you? If you live in a third world country and your village is in a remote area, how good is modern medicine? Resources and manpower are another issue.

Yes, science and technology are good for me but that is because I have relatively easy access to it and can afford some of it. But I am not truly representative of the entire world.

I guess the only problem lies within the wording of the question presented.

I also think this is partly what thenewgreen hinted to in his comment a couple posts below this.