Comma appropriate or inappropriate in these sentences?
I've put brackets around the commas which I'm unsure should be there or not.
"The desire to progress rather than regress is innately embedded within human nature, and it is for that reason why I firmly believe that technological advancements[,] such as rockets[,] are utilized far more often in a way that is beneficial to the world, rather than in a way that is detrimental to the world."
"Humanity experienced the extraordinary power of the world’s first long-range ballistic missile more than a half-century ago, and to this day is still leery[,] yet intrigued[,] by such devices."
I'm almost certain that the commas could be kept or removed and both would still be grammatically correct, but for some reason I'm having doubts. Me and commas have a very long and weary love/hate relationship. All answers appreciate, thank you.