COLLEGE OF ARTS and SCIENCES,

EDUCATION and NURSING

PAASCU Accredited

GED 103
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
and SOCIETY

FINAL TERM Module

(Learning Module)
Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, students can:

[1] Discuss and illustrate how the social media and

the information age have impacted our lives.
[2] Discuss the major impacts (both potential and
realized} of GMOs, Nanotechnology, Stem Cell
and critique the issue on its costs and benefits to
society.
[3] Provide pieces of evidences on how the country
is adversely affected by climate change and
connect environmental issues to other areas of
human life through AtKisson Sustainability
Compass.

ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-2021

Columban College, Inc., Olongapo City

Authored by: DR. JOCELYN GUEVARRA MAÑAGO

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 Learning Module 1
The Information Age (Gutenberg to Social Media)

Learning Outcomes
Illustrate how the social media and the information age have impacted our lives.

Allan Turing(1912-1954): The enigma” (Andrew Hodges and Hofstadler)

- saved the Allies from the Nazi,

- invented the computer and artificial intelligence,
- anticipated gay liberation by decades
- all before his suicide at age forty-one.

- New York Times–bestselling biographyof the founder

of computer science, with a new preface by the author
that addresses Turing’s royal pardon in 2013,
- the definitive account of an extraordinary mind and life.

Capturing both the inner and outer drama of Turing’s life, Andrew Hodges tells
how Turing’s revolutionary idea of 1936 — the concept of a universal machine — laid
the foundation for the modern computer and how Turing brought the idea to practical
realization in 1945 with his electronic design. The book also tells how this work was
directly related to Turing’s leading role in breaking the German Enigma ciphers during
World War II, a scientific triumph that was critical to Allied victory in the Atlantic. At
the same time, this is the tragic account of a man who, despite his wartime service, was
eventually arrested, stripped of his security clearance, and forced to undergo a
humiliating treatment program — all for trying to live honestly in a society that defined
homosexuality as a crime.
The inspiration for a major motion picture starring Benedict Cumberbatch and
Keira Knightley, Alan Turing: The Enigma is a gripping story of mathematics,
computers, cryptography, and homosexual persecution.
https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691164724/alan-turing-the-enigma#

Mr. Assange is not alone, and his ideas continue to inspire us and people around the world.
- publish without fear or favor, bringing transparency to powerful factions and
secretive institutions, not taking any sides except that of the truth.
- believe in the democratization of information and the power that knowledge
gives to people to further peace, accountability and self-determination.

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 This technology has become a standard for many media outlets around the
world. We prefer not to know who our sources are; we do not want to, and usually do
not need to. What matters to us is the authenticity of the documents.

A Day Without Technology

Advantages Disadvantages
• spend time with friends and family • we use technology to contact people
• quality time • no heat or tap water
• engage in refreshing by doing a lot • harder to find out news
of activities • not a lot medication for sick
• allows you to have outdoors activities
• you can sleep well without the
disturbance of technology

Proper Perspective of Technology: Uses of technology in our daily life

1. In business 5. Purchasing
2. Communication 6. Agriculture
3. Human relationships 7. banking
4. Education 8. Transportation

Nature's Longest Threads: New Frontiers in the

Mathematics and Physics of Information in Biology
Editors: Janaki Balakrishnan, B. V. Sreekantan Publisher:
World Scientific, 2014
Overview :
Organisms endowed with life show a sense of
awareness, interacting with and learning from the universe
in and around them. Each level of interaction involves
transfer of information of various kinds, and at different
levels.

-
The New Language of Science

Information: is a 2003 book by Hans Christian von Baeyer, Chancellor

Professor of Physics at the College of William and Mary, examining
contemporary information science.

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 How We Decide overview: is a 2009 book by journalist Jonah
Lehrer,
- provides biological explanations of how people make
decisions and offers suggestions for making better
decisions.
- published as The Decisive Moment: How the Brain
- Makes Up Its Mind in the United Kingdom.

Philippine Science And Technology: Economic, Political And

Social Events Shaping Their Development

I. The early years of Philippine science and technology

II. Post-war Philippine science and technology
III. The Marcos Era (1965-1985)
IV. Post-Edsa Revolution, 1986-Present
V. Synthesis
VI. Science Policies.

This book aims to present an analytical description of the development in science

and technology in the Philippines as evidenced by the changes in structures, policies
and programs of two government agencies below with the participation of state
universities and colleges, scientists and inventors, and the private sector.
1. Department of Science and Technology, the highest policy-making body in science
matters, and
2. Department of Agriculture, the agency responsible for all matters concerning
agriculture,

Scientific American: Germ Catcher

David E. Ecker, a scientist and inventor at Ibis

Biosciences, writes about how machines are being developed
for hospitals that can quickly identify virtually any bacterium,
virus or fungus.

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Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and
Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100
- a 2011 book by theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, author
of Hyperspace and Physics of the Impossible.
- Kaku speculates about possible future technological
development over the next 100 years.
- interviews notable scientists about their fields of research
and lays out his vision of coming developments in
medicine, computing, artificial intelligence,
nanotechnology, and energy production.
- New York Times Bestseller List for five weeks.

Procedure:
I. Answer the following question in one paragraph. Among the books presented
above, which of these capture your interest the most? Why? How will you be able to
take time to read? In case it cannot be access online are you willing to buy? How and
Why? The Rubric for Essay will be used as a whole in rating the essay.

Technology and Past (Interview with Elders)

Technology has been negatively affecting society from the very first
technological advances through present day, and will continue to harm us for the
foreseeable future. Technology comes in many forms; all with the main focus of helping
people perform a task they either do not want to, or cannot perform on their own.
While people’s intentions are good, there are many forms of technology that have
grown to be revered as a sort of magical device, or a creation of a work much more
impressive than man could have ever created.
As stated by Jean Rostand, “Science has made us gods even before we are worthy
of being men”. The incredible amount of power that we now hold in our pockets is
often taken for granted. Technology in the past was meant to simply help society with
problems, such as creating the light bulb in place of candlelight.
Nowadays, technology has strayed from simply being helpful, and has become
something that we, the creators, are unable to fully explain or control. Present day
technology has consumed our lives, and people have become heavily reliant on their
devices to make their lives simple and easy.
Examples of this can be seen everywhere, from teenagers becoming addicted to
their phones, to Amazon and other websites delivering everything, including food,
straight to your doorstep. Technology has made the people of our society lazy and for

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the most part, unable to think for them. It has far surpassed its original goals of
shining a light on a dark room.
In the future, technology will continue to creep its way into every aspect of our
lives. It will even start to become a part of us, with wearable technology or implants
soon being the mainstream fashion or style choice. Even today, contact lenses, watches
and glasses all have technology built into them that goes beyond simple convenience
and starts to lean on the side of wants rather than needs.
This is a trend that will continue well into the future. Max Frisch stated this idea
perfectly, “Technology: the knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to
experience it”. Today and for years to come, people will certainly continue to use
technology as a means of interaction without ever having to leave their home.
This is an unhealthy way of life, and it has come to be the norm due to the
devices that inhabit our homes, pockets, and bodies, and will continue to be a
growing problem for the years to come.

Procedure:
II. Ask the eldest in the family or in your local community. Interview what was
their life 50 yrs ago. Make a narrative of the interview. Make a recording or video clip
to be presented in the class. You can form groups of 3-5 persons if deemed necessary
and feasible.

Video Clip Production

Guidelines:
The video clip must be able to portray practicality of the idea presented.
The narrator must present the video with sincerity and credibility of statement so as
to effectively share a story.
It must possess Inspirational power or motivational messaging with a Wow Factor
The documentary film must be clear with compelling Expression of Message

Criteria
Uniqueness of Video Title 10%
Level of Motivational Messaging 20%
Wow Factor/Artistic Merit 30%
Perceived Personality and Variety 20%
Audio and Visual Quality 20%
100%

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 Learning Module 2
Biodiversity and the Healthy Society
Learning Outcomes
Determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health through a
photo essay by interpreting a photo language.

Biodiversity
- from “biological diversity” refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels,
from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and
cultural processes that sustain life. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth
and the essential interdependence of all living things
- includes not only species we consider rare, threatened, or endangered but also
every living thing – from humans to organisms we know little about, such as
microbes, fungi, and invertebrates.
- Scientists have identified more than 1.4 million species. Tens of millions --
remain unknown (www.thecatalogueoflife.org)

Three Types of Biodiversity

1. Species Biodiversity - the variety of living things (e.g. dogs, cats etc.)
2. Genetic Biodiversity - The variations between individuals of the same species,
and characteristics passed down between parents and offspring (e.g. Brown hair,
blue eyes etc.)
3. Ecosystem Biodiversity - The variety of environments and habitats (polar, ocean
etc.) produced by the living (animals, fungi, plants etc.) and the non-living
(rocks, earth, etc.).

Why is Biodiversity Important?

Biodiversity is important to most aspects of our lives. We value biodiversity for

many reasons, some utilitarian, some intrinsic. This means we value biodiversity both
for what it provide to humans, and for the value it has in its own right. Utilitarian
values include the many basic needs humans obtain from biodiversity such as food,
fuel, shelter, and medicine. Further, ecosystems provide crucial services such as
pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and
control of agricultural pests.

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The Importance of Biodiversity to Human Health
Biodiversity is the foundation for human health. Securing the life-sustaining
goods and services which biodiversity provides to us, the conservation and sustainable
use of biodiversity can provide us significant benefits to our health.
Biodiversity supports food security, dietary health, and livelihood sustainability.
Genetic diversity in food systems provides the foundation of crop development
and food security, and promotes resistance and resilience to environmental stresses
including pests and diseases of crops and live stocks.

Intact Ecosystems can reduce Disaster Risks and Support Relief and Recovery
Efforts:
Sustainable management of biodiversity can help to provide essential resources
for promoting health and rebuilding livelihoods in post-crisis situations.

Ecological Literacy

The foundation of ecological literacy as having

three components:

1. the knowledge necessary to comprehend

interrelatedness,
2. an attitude of care or stewardship for the
environment, and
3. the practical competence required to act on
the basis of this knowledge and feeling”.

Source: Orr, David, 1992, Ecological

Literacy, Education and the Transition to a
Postmodern World

Top Global Environmental Issues

 Global Warming • Ocean Acidification
 Ozone Layer Depletion • Coral Bleaching
 Acid Rain • Soil erosion / nutrient loss and
 Deforestation nutrient loading
 Loss of Biodiversity • Over fishing
 Water Pollution • Air Pollution
 Desertification • Alien / Invasive Species
 Waste disposal

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Should we be concerned about biodiversity?
What we know: The Earth is losing species at an alarming rate
 Some scientists estimate that as many as 3 species per hour are going extinct
and 20,000 extinctions occur each year.
 when species of plants and animals go extinct, many other species are
affected.

Threats to Biodiversity
 Habitat destruction
 Pollution
 Species Introductions
 Global Climate Change
 Exploitation

How many species are there?

- 1.4 million named species (70% of which are invertebrates)
- estimated 3 to 50 million species alive!

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 “The Philippines has the 2nd lowest forest coverage in Southeast Asia and 40 % of its
coral reef area is in poor condition; while Philippine biodiversity is considered as one of
the richest in the world, it is also one of the most threatened.”
- DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio, Earth Day 22 April 2013
 Natural forests are composed of complex relationships of different species that
interact with each other, and the non-living components of the environment
(such as sunlight, climate, and soil type).
 Human societies receive numerous essential products (e.g. timber, herbs, fruits,
etc.) and services (clean water, oxygen, climate regulation) from the forests
around our communities that would be very difficult to find alternatives.

Procedure
Let us recall some environmental issues and let us look some them not only in
the Philippines but in the world in general or globally. In Photo Language, Beauty is in
the eye of the beholder. Look at the picture below create a photo essay by answering the
guide questions that follows.

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 Source: Gary Williams, California Academy of Science

Guide Questions
1. What biotic components are present in this ecosystem?
- Animals, plants, bacteria, and fungi are the biotic components present in the ecosystem.
ecosystem is a biological community where organisms interact with one another and with their
physical environment. An ecosystem is composed of both biotic and abiotic constituents.
2. Describe some relationships and interactions that occur among these biotic
components.
- Mutualism-both organisms are benefited from each other. No one is harmed.
Commensalism-one organism is benefited but the other is not and unharmed.
Predation-this relationship involves predator and prey. Prey is harmed and
eaten while the predator is benefited.
3. Predict the effect of forest fire to the ecosystem and its biotic components.
- It plays a key role in shaping ecosystems by serving as an agent of renewal and change. But fire
can be deadly, destroying homes, wildlife habitat and timber, and polluting the air with
emissions harmful to human health. Fire also releases carbon dioxide a key greenhouse gas into
the atmosphere
4. Why is high biodiversity advantageous over low biodiversity?
- High biodiversity basically means efficient recycling of nutrients and a productive or
sustainable ecosystem. Low biodiversity increases the probability of extinction of some species
and creates a less sustainable ecosystem in the long duration.
5. What is the importance of biodiversity to ecosystems?
- Biodiversity is a measurement of how many different types of organisms are found in an
ecosystem. The higher the biodiversity means that the ecosystem can sustain (maintain) many
different types of producers, consumers, and decomposers. This generally means that the area is
healthy. For example: tropic rain forests have many different types of trees, ferns, flowers,
birds, insects, and mammals, so it is one of the most productive and healthiest ecosystems.
However, if there are only a few different species in the area, the biodiversity is low, and the
ecosystem is not considered healthy.

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 Rubric for Essay
Brief Adequate Quality Exemplary Multiplier Score
Discussion/ (1 pts) (3 pts) (5pts)
Explanation
Content Answers are Answers are Answers are
partial or accurate andcomprehensi
incomplete. complete. ve, accurate
Key points Key points and
are not are stated complete.
clear. and Key ideas X4
Question supported. are clearly
not stated,
adequately explained,
answered. and well
supported.
Organization Organizatio Organization Well
(Answers are n and is mostly organized,
clearly structure clear and coherently
X3
thought out detract from easy to developed,
and the answer. follow. and easy to
articulated.) follow.
Writing Displays Displays one Displays no
Conventions over five to three errors in
(Spelling, errors in errors in spelling,
punctuation, spelling, spelling, punctuation,
grammar, punctuation punctuation, grammar, X3
and complete , grammar, grammar, and sentence
sentences.) and and sentence structure.
sentence structure.
structure.
TOTAL

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 Learning Module 3
Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMO): Science, Health and Politics

Learning Outcomes
Discuss the ethics and implications of GMOs and potential future impacts.

What is a GMO?
A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is an organism (plant, animal, bacteria
or virus) whose genetic makeup has been modified for a particular purpose.

How GMO are’s useful to us?

1. Food: Using genetic engineering, new improved varieties of crops can be
produced more quickly than with conventional breeding methods.
2. Medicine: Insulin as a treatment for diabetes was the first commercial healthcare
product produced by gmo’s. Gmo’s can produce other medicines such as growth
hormone.
GMOs are used in current vaccines such as Hepatitis B (produced by yeast), and
new vaccines are being developed using GMO technology
GMO’s in medicine

Vaccine developments are using GM techniques to insert specific genes from

disease-causing viruses and/or bacteria, into harmless viruses.
The process known as “pharming” refers to using GM animals and plants to
produce particular proteins as medicines.

Benefits
1. Environmental benefits: Farmers can use less pesticide on insect-resistant GM
plants. This means fewer chemicals that can damage the environment are washed
into the soil.
2. Health benefits: Farmers need to use less pesticide on insect resistant plants, which
results in healthier food.

Potential Future Impacts

• Plants could be engineered to produce more nutrients to improve our diet or to
be more resilient to climate change, or even to protect the environment instead of
just reducing agriculture’s impact on it.
• GM crops may be able to grow in conditions that have been unsuited for
agriculture.

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 The risks fall under the broad categories of human health and the environment.
When a new gene producing a novel protein is introduced into a crop, there is a
chance that human subpopulations may have an allergic reaction to the protein.

Procedure
Try to search about the Movie Clip: Seeds of Death Unveiling the Lies of GMO.
Use the following template for the film analysis.

Motion Picture Analysis Worksheet

Step 01: Pre-viewing

A. Title of film:
Seeds of Death Unveiling the Lies of GMO.

B. What do you think you will see in this movie? List 3 concepts or ideas and 3 people
that you might expect to see based on the title of the movie.
People Concepts/Ideas
1. Colin campbell 1. Death
2. Phil Angell 2. Infinite Food
3. Jeffrey Smith 3. Engineered Food

Step 02: Viewing: Check all that applies

A. Type of movie
Cartoon _/_Based on true story /__Documentary Silent Movie
Other
B. Physical qualities Music Animation or cartoon _/_Narration
Dramatizations
Special effects Background noise _/__Black & White _/__Color
_/__Live action

C. What is the mood or tone of the film?

The mood of the movie is serious because it involves the life of an individual which can be affected
depending on the result of the Genetically Modified Organisms.
Step 03: Post-viewing
A. High-light the things that you listed in the previewing activity that were validated
by your viewing of the movie.
People Concepts/Ideas
1. Michael Taylor 1. New diseases
2. Rima Laibow 2. Bribery
3. Joel Bakan 3. Food safety

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B. What is the central or most important message of the movie?
- You can tell from the title that the fundamental message of the film is the deception of GMOs.
What are the harmful repercussions not only on the environment and human health but also on
the economy, given that a huge sum of money was utilized and bribery was committed?

C. Consider the effectiveness of the movie in communicating its message. As a tool

of communication, what are its strengths and weaknesses?
- There were a number of speakers who appeared in the film to discuss the situation of
GMOs. Its strength is that their thesis, which exposes the lies of GMOs, was
accurately portrayed. However, its flaw, despite sounding contradictory to the title, is
that they couldn't comprehend the benefits of GMOs, which can in reality end world
hunger and other problems.
D. Does this movie appeal to the viewer’s reason or emotion? How does it make you
feel?
- Well the movie is very long so it indeed appealed to the viewer’s emotion. I’m aware of
the fact that engineered food has it flaws but instead of completely erasing the idea why
can’t we just suggest ideas which can improve it and make it more effective.
-
E. List 2 things this movie tells you about life in the Philippines at the time it was
creating?
1. No genetically modified food were produce because it’s still a developing country.

2. Somehow its relation in the movie is that Philippines also use some kinds of chemicals for the
growth of their crops

F. Write a question to the filmmaker that is left unanswered by the movie.

- How exactly engineered food will help us in the future when we can just produce a large
number of source of food for the sake of letting people eat enough food?

G. What information do you gain about this event that would not be conveyed by a
written source? Be specific and write your reference in APA style (6th Edition)
- I think the information that I gained in this event that can’t be conveyed in the written
source would be its legitimate messages. Because unlike in written source where you
don’t know where it came from, in the film a lot of professionals states their opinion.

Adapted with slight modification from Motion Picture Analysis Worksheet:

http://www.archives.gov/digital_classroom/lessons/analysis_worksheets/movie.html

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 Learning Module 4
The Nano World
Learning Outcomes
Discuss the major impacts (both potential and realized} of nanotechnology and
critique the issue on its costs and benefits to society.

The Nano World/Nano Technology

 Nano World is the global market leader for tips for Scanning Probe
Microscopy (SPM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
 The Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is the defining instrument for the
whole field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
 It enables its users in research and high-tech industry to investigate materials
at the atomic scale. AFM probes are the key consumable, the “finger” that
enables the scientist to scan surfaces point-by-point at the atomic scale.
 Consistent high quality of the scanning probes is vital for reproducible
results.

In 1959,physicist Richard Feynman predicted a future in which scientists in

which scientists would, by manipulating atoms and molecules, be able to build
materials and structures of higher strength, lighter weight, increased control of the
light spectrum, and greater chemical reactivity.
Everything of a physical nature –human beings, plants, minerals, air –is
composed of combinations of atoms and molecules bound together either shape or
electronic charge. Manipulating atoms on a nano –scale would theoretically allow
humans to produce everything from diamonds to food.

Major Impacts of Nano Technology in the Society

Health
Issues

The Nano Techno

Food and Agriculture National Security
logy

Textile Energy Environ ment

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 Nanotechnology has shown the people; the power of rearranging the atoms and
they behave in different manner as compared to traditional elements
 Precautions are always required from the beginning during the development
of new technology; especially when a small mistake can lead to immeasurable
losses or unaccountable hazards.
 Nanotechnology has covered the society form all around because of its
applications in various fields.

Benefits on the use of Nanotechnology:

 Communications
 Computing and electronic applications
 It can provide faster information
 Smaller and more portable systems
 Systems can manage and store larger and larger amounts of information

Nanotechnology is going to revolutionize manufacturing, health care, energy

supply, communications and probably defense, and then it will transform labor and the
workplace, the medical system, the transportation and power infrastructures and the
military. None of these latter will be changed without significant social disruption.
Those concerned with the negative impact of nanotechnology suggest that it will simply
exacerbate problems stemming from existing socio-economic inequity and unequal
distributions of power, creating greater inequities between rich and poor through an
inevitable nano divide

Nano Divided
the gap between those who control the new nanotechnologies and those whose
products, services or labor are displaced by them.

STS asks you to question every assumption about how knowledge is produced.
Regardless of how society advances, critical thinking skills and awareness of
connections will always be applicable.

STS breaks through the ways we’re taught to think about science and technology
—as objective, rational and beneficial—to better understand these important aspects of
contemporary life. How does technology change our values? How do social and cultural
factors influence what counts as sound science? What tactics enable citizens and
patients to influence technical and medical authorities? STS uses methods from the
humanities and social sciences to investigate issues like these.

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 RAYMOND(RAY) KURZWEIL

Born: February 12, 1948 (age

72) New York City, New York,
U.S. Occupation:
Author, entrepreneur, futurist and inventor

According to him and following the pattern of exponential growth, will become a
reality in a mere decade or two. These nanotechnologies involve incredible things such
as creating technological red blood cells that, when replacing natural human red blood
cells, can for all intensive purposes create the ultimate, real-live superhuman. humans
will have unheard of capabilities, such as sprinting at Olympic speed for a straight
fifteen minutes without tiring or staying underwater without breathing for four entire
hours. He claims that the human brain will be entirely reverse-engineered by the 2020’s,
and that it will then be able to be modified to be exponentially more powerful than the
natural human brain. He explains exponential growth and how it relates to various
things in the world such as technology, life expectancy, and medicine. He believes that
all of these things, while incredibly slow-growing for a long time, at some point have a
dramatic increase in acceleration and shortening of the time it takes for great
advancement

Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology and Its Products

Nanotechnology increases the strengths of many materials and devices, as well
as enhances efficiencies of monitoring devices, remediation of environmental pollution,
and renewable energy production. While these are considered to be the positive effect
of nanotechnology, there are certain negative impacts of nanotechnology on
environment in many ways, such as increased toxicological pollution on the
environment due to the uncertain shape, size, and chemical compositions of some of the
nanotechnology products.

Nanoethics
Nanotechnology will eventually impact every area of our world
Nanoethics seeks to examine the potential risks and rewards of applications of
nanotechnology. Comprehensive and authoritative research must go beyond the usual
environmental, health, and safety concerns to explore such topics as privacy, nanomedicine,
human enhancement, global regulation, military, humanitarianism, education, artificial
intelligence, space exploration, life extension, and more f eature contributions from forty
preeminent experts from academia and industry worldwide, reflecting diverse
perspectives which include seminal works that influence nanoethics today. Encourages

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an informed, proactive approach to nanoethics and advocates addressing new and
emerging controversies before they impede progress or impact our welfare.
Procedure
Search and Read the Article: “Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology and Its
Products” (Zhang et. Al Proceedings of the 2011 Midwest Section Conference of the
American Society for Engineering Education, 2011)

Summary of the article (Highlight of the Issue)

There is no doubt that nanotechnology will continue to be develop, be a benefit to society and improve the
environment in various ways. Nanoscale materials will make the products better in terms of functionality, weight
savings, less energy consumption and a cleaner environment. Shortcomings always exist when new unproven
technology is released. Nanomaterial may help clean certain environmental wastes, but contaminate environment
in other ways. Choosing the right nanoscale materials is one of the key parameters for the future direction of
nanotechnology. Engineering ethics need to be defined before the commercial use of nanotechnology. Risk
assessment on new nanomaterial based application is important to evaluate potential risk to our environment
when the products are in use. Full life cycle evaluation and analysis for all difference applications should be
conducted with constant attention.

Applications to Life

Nanotechnology is the next- generation future tech that will help us in our everyday lives. Whether if it's in the
medical field, sports, farming, and many more, this technology will be our greatest help or demise. We are
turning into a cyber-world, slowly and we already started in the medical field. Sooner or later, it would be
everywhere

Sample Situation
For example, in Sunscreens, Nanoparticles have been added to sunscreens for years to make them more
effective. Two particular types of nanoparticles commonly added to sunscreen are titanium dioxide and zinc
oxide. These tiny particles are not only highly effective at blocking UV radiation, they also feel lighter on the
skin, which is why modern sunscreens are nowhere near as thick and gloopy as the sunscreens we were slathered
in as kids

Insights

Nanotechnology is helping to considerably improve, even revolutionize, many technology and industry sectors:
information technology, homeland security, medicine, transportation, energy, food safety, and environmental
science, among many others. It is hoped that nanotechnology can deliver a valuable set of research tools and
clinically helpful devices in the near future. Nanotechnology improves existing industrial processes, materials
and applications by scaling them down to the nanoscale in order to ultimately fully exploit the unique quantum
and surface phenomena that matter exhibits at the nanoscale. This trend is driven by companies' ongoing quest to
improve existing products by creating smaller components and better performance materials, all at a lower cost

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 JOURNAL CRITIQUE RUBRIC
Multip
Criteria 3 2 1 Score
lier
Content Provides Provides Provides
(Gist) substantial discussion of the minimal
summary and summary articulation of
emphasizes without the article’s X5
the key points emphasizing the summary
of the reading key points of the
article article
Content Presents in- Presents Presents
(Insight) depth moderate minimal
analysis/ discussion of the reflection and
reflection/ learned items or analysis of the
X5
arguments arguments based main though or
that is learned on the article argument of the
from the article
reading article
Complete Contains Contains Contains
ness required minimal discussion and
and elements and required reflection but did
Organizati format of the elements and not follow the
on output with format of output required format
X3
clear frame of with some and elements.
thought adjustment on There is no clear
the manner the direction of
ideas were views presented.
presented
Style The output is The output is The output is
written in a written in an written in a
very creative, informative and conventional/
informative less impressive ordinary manner X3
and manner
persuasive
manner
Time- The output is The output is The output is a
bounded submitted on delayed from day delayed
X1
time deadline of from deadline of
submission submission
Total

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 Learning Module 5
Gene Therapy (Stem Cells)
Learning Outcomes
Describe gene therapy and its various forms and assess the issue’s
potential benefits and detriments to global health.

What is Gene Therapy?

Gene therapy is the introduction of genes into existing cells to prevent or cure a
wide range of diseases.
 It is a technique for correcting defective genes responsible for disease
development.
 The first approved Gene Therapy experiment occurred on September 14, 1990
in the United States, when Ashanti DeSilva was treated for ADA-SCID.

Types of Gene Therapy

 Germline Gene Therapy: transfer of a section of DNA to cells that produce
eggs or sperm. Effects of gene therapy will be passed onto the patient’s children
and subsequent generations.
 Somatic Gene Therapy: transfer of a section of DNA to any cell of the body that
doesn’t produce sperm or eggs. Effects of gene therapy will not be passed onto
the patient’s children.

Somatic Gene Therapy Germ Line Gene Therapy

 Therapeutic Genes transferred into  Therapeutic Genes transferred into
the Somatic Cells. the Germ Line Cells.
 Eg. Introduction of genes into  Eg. Genes introduced into eggs
bone marrow cells, blood cells, and sperms.
skin cells etc.  It is inheritable and passed on to
 Will not be inherited later later generations.
generations.  For safety, ethical and technical
At present all researches directed to reasons, it is not being attempted
correct genetic defects in Somatic at present.
Cells.

Somatic Gene Therapy can be broadly split into two categories:

1. ex vivo - which means exterior (where cells are modified outside the body and then
transplanted back in again).
2. in vivo - which means interior (where genes are changed in cells still in the body).

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 Ex Vivo Gene Therapy In Vivo Therapy
• Isolate cells with genetic • Direct delivery of therapeutic gene
defect from a patient into target cell into patients body
• Grow the cells in culture • Carried out by viral or non viral
• Introduce the therapeutic genes vector systems
• Select genetically corrected cells • It can be the only possible option in
and grow patients where individual cells
• Transplant the modified cells to cannot be cultured in vitro in
the patient sufficient numbers (e.g. brain cells)
• In vivo gene transfer is necessary
when cultured cells cannot be re-
implanted in patients effectively.

Vectors in Gene Therapy

- To transfer the desired gene into a target cell, a carrier is required. Such vehicles
of gene delivery are known as vectors.

Main Classes
1. Viral Vectors
2. Non Viral Vectors

Gene Therapy Techniques

1. Gene Augmentation Therapy
- to treat diseases caused by a mutation that stops a gene from producing a
functioning product, such as a protein.
- adds DNA containing a functional version of the lost gene back into the cell.
- new gene produces a functioning product at sufficient levels to replace the
protein that was originally missing.
- only successful if the effects of the disease are reversible or have not resulted
in lasting damage to the body.
- used to treat loss of function disorders such as cystic fibrosis by introducing a
functional copy of the gene to correct the disease (see illustration below).

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 2. Gene Inhibition Therapy
- Suitable for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer and inherited disease
caused by inappropriate gene activity.
- aim is to introduce a gene whose product either:
• inhibits the expression of another gene
• interferes with the activity of the product of another gene.
- eliminate the activity of a gene that encourages the growth of disease-related cells.
- For example, cancer is sometimes the result of the over-activation of an oncogene
(gene which stimulates cell growth). So, by eliminating the activity of that
oncogene through gene inhibition therapy, it is possible to prevent further cell
growth and stop the cancer in its tracks.

3. Killing of Specific Cells

- suitable for diseases such as cancer that can be treated by destroying certain groups
of cells.
- aim is to insert DNA into a diseased cell that causes that cell to die.
- can be achieved in one of two ways:
1. the inserted DNA contains a “suicide” gene that produces a highly toxic
product which kills the diseased cell.
2. the inserted DNA causes expression of a protein that marks the cells so that
the diseased cells are attacked by the body’s natural immune system
- essential with this method that the inserted DNA is targeted appropriately to avoid
the death of cells that are functioning normally.

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 Advantages of Gene Therapy Disadvantages of Gene Therapy

1. It offers the possibility of a positive medical 1. There could be unwanted immune

outcome system reactions
2. We can treat disease or illness in 2. Current gene therapy methods can
meaningful ways sometimes target the wrong cells
3. It could improve a person’s life in other 3. The delivery viruses might recover
ways their ability to create disease
4. We already know that it can be a successful 4. Gene therapies could cause a potential tumor
treatment option 5. There is no guarantee that the gene therapy
5. There are out-of-body treatment options will work
available 6. Some patients might experience
6. Gene therapy could be useful in the incompatibility issues
treatment of multiple diseases 7. Humans could develop a resistance to
7. The medical impact of gene therapy the gene therapy.
can create permanent results 8. The cost of gene therapy is prohibitive to
8. New treatment options are coming out all of a number of families
the time 9. Ethical concerns about gene therapy exist.
9. It can work in combination with cell therapy 10. It typically works best in single-gene
techniques mutations.
11. There are funding challenges to consider
in this category
Procedure
Watch TED Talk: Susan Lim on “Transplant Cells Not Organs” or TED
Talk: Juan Enriquez on “the Next Species of Human.” Answer the following

Summary of the Talk (Highlight of the Issue)

- Over a dozen people pass away every day in the United States alone while awaiting a qualified organ
donor. Susan Lim continues by taking about her ongoing study on transplanting stem cells rather than
whole organs. Her colleagues are really looking at obtaining stem cells from adipose, or fat, cells,
which, as she points out, I feel answers many moral and ethical concerns about utilizing embryonic stem
cells. Diseases can be treated and cured using stem cells. Gene therapy has a lot of potential and can be
applied to treat many types of cancer. Gene therapy can be used to target cancer cells while conserving
healthy issues in the treatment of cancer.

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Applications to Life

Sample Situation

Insights

- Transplanting cells became the solution to saving more people from organ failure and lack of organ
donation from donors. It is procedure in which a patient receives healthy stem cells to replace their own
stem cells that have been destroyed by treatment with radiation or high doses of chemotheraphy. The
healthy stem cells may come from the blood or bone marrow of the patient or from a related or unrelated
donor.

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 Rubric for Essay

Brief Adequate Quality Exemplary Multiplier Score

Discussion/ (1 pts) (3 pts) (5pts)
Explanation
Content Answers are Answers are Answers are
partial or accurate andcomprehensi
incomplete. complete. ve, accurate
Key points Key points and
are not are stated complete.
clear. and Key ideas X4
Question supported. are clearly
not stated,
adequately explained,
answered. and well
supported.
Organization Organizatio Organization Well
(Answers are n and is mostly organized,
clearly structure clear and coherently
X3
thought out detract from easy to developed,
and the answer. follow. and easy to
articulated.) follow.
Writing Displays Displays one Displays no
Conventions over five to three errors in
(Spelling, errors in errors in spelling,
punctuation, spelling, spelling, punctuation,
grammar, punctuation punctuation, grammar, X3
and complete , grammar, grammar, and sentence
sentences.) and and sentence structure.
sentence structure.
structure.
TOTAL

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 Learning Module 6
Biodiversity and Climate Crisis
Learning Outcomes
Provide pieces of evidences on how the country is adversely affected by climate
change and connect environmental issues to other areas of human life through AtKisson
Sustainability Compass.

Philippines as Mega Diverse but Mega Hotspot Country

The Philippines is a biodiverse-rich country and one of the richest countries in
the world in terms of biodiversity. The country today plays host to several habitats and
ecosystems that support a wide variety of species. But, the country is vulnerable to
climate change.

Climate Crisis Matters

- Climate has a domino effect
- Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 stated:
“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from
observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures,
widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global average of sea level.”
- In the Philippines, climate change is also occurring as evidenced by increasing
mean temperature observed overtime.
- Among the ecosystem that will be affected by climate change is the forest.

Philippine Biodiversity Laws

Awareness on environmental issues, especially during the late 90’s, many laws
was passed to protect and support environmental conservation initiatives. Philippine
biodiversity laws include – RA 7586, RA 855O, RA 9147, RA 8371, RA 9072 other
specific laws. On the other hand, international conventions were held focusing on
biodiversity issues and these are – CBD, CMS, CITES, WHC and others.

AtKisson Sustainability Compass

The Compass of Sustainability uses the four directions of the Compass (N, E, S, and W)
to reflect four fully interdependent dimensions of life:
 (N = Nature) - The natural systems on which all life depends; healthy air, water,
land; sustainable resource use; sufficient habitat; preservation of scenic beauty;
 (E = Economy) The economic systems that provide humanity with goods,
services, and meaningful work; includes revenue, jobs and wages, budgets, taxes,
markets, etc;

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  (S = Society) The social and cultural systems that provide cohesion, identity,
security and freedom; cultural traditions; legal frameworks
 (W = Wellbeing) - The health, happiness, and quality of life for individual people
and their families

Procedure
Based on what you have read from newspaper, or what you have watched from
TV news program, indicate one environmental issue. Identify the four directions of the
compass that stands for the N, S, W and E. Illustrate through the AtKisson Compass the
domino effect of what is happening in the environment. Use the illustration below as
your guide. Insert a phrase or two phrases to give the reality in each direction.

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 Nature
Nature’s Wrath in all Climates (Climate
Change)

Economy
Well being
Resources are going limited
Health Issues are bothersome

Prone to sickness, such as the pandemic

crisis

Society

AtKisson Compass Rubric

GED 103 MT/jsgm Page 28
CRITERIA 4 3 2 1 Multiplier Score
Appear The The The The
ance of appearance appearance appearance appearance
the Output is done is is is poor with
properly with moderately moderately many
no done with done with distractive
distractive polished many features.
features. distractive distractive
features. features.
Content The product The product The product The product
and Facts demonstrate demonstrate demonstrate demonstrat
sa s a good s a some es a little
comprehensi knowledge knowledge knowledge
ve of the of the of the
knowledge topic(lesson) topic(lesson) topic(lesson
of the )
topic(lesson)
Images All images All images Some Too few
and or models or models images or images or
Models are effective. are effective, models are models are
but there effective. used to be
appear to be an effective
too few or presentatio
too many. n.
Design The product The product The product The product
and is interesting is interesting has some has no
Organizati with with interesting interesting
on complete incomplete parts with parts with
and well and incomplete incomplete
organized organized and and
materials. materials. unorganized unorganize
materials. d materials.
Creativity, The product The product The product The product
Cleanlines reflects very reflects good do not do not
s and good creativity, is reflects reflects
Originality creativity, clean and creativity creativity,
clean, neat original and not unclean
and original original but and
clean and unoriginal.
neat.

Total

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 Self-Reflection for STS

I. Most Interesting Topic of the Course? Why?

All topic because It prepares me for careers in business, law, government,
journalism, research, and education, and it provides a foundation for
citizenship in a globalizing, diversifying world with rapid technological and
scientific change.

II. Most Challenging Topic? Why?

III. Comment about your Performance

I think I give my best in all tasks and performance so I would

say it is great.

IV. What to do to Improve your Performance? How?

V. Signature

SHAMAE PATALINGHUG

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 References

Climate Change Science: A Modern Synthesis: Volume 1 – The Physical

Climate https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-94-007-5757-
8

Gene Therapy. (2015). Gene Therapy Viral Vectors Explained. Retrieved from
http://www.genetherapynet.com/viral-vectors.html

https://futureofworking.com/6-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-gene-therapy/

https://singularityhub.Com/2017/04/16/the-future-of-food-to-gmo-or-not-to-
gmo/?Fbclid=iwar0thdrrutyenszvttjuncsn6hawq9bsudtqc-
ytkm4zyopwvamtcdolzt4

https://www.Amnh.Org/research/center-for-biodiversity-conservation/about-the-
cbc/what-is-biodiversity

http://www.biotechnologynotes.com/gene-therapy/gene-therapy-meaning-types-
advantages-and-disadvantages/823

Home, N., & Nanotechnology, A. (2006). Nanotechnology Approaches to Safe Nanotechnology :

An Information Exchange with NIOSH. Nanotechnology.

In, C., & Therapy, G. (2015). Challenges in Gene Therapy. University of Utah, 1–3. Retrieved
from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/genetherapy/gtchallenges/

McGinn, R. (2008). Ethics and nanotechnology: Views of nanotechnology researchers.

NanoEthics, 2(2), 101–131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11569-008-0040-0

Starbooks contains thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various

formats (text and video/audio) placed in specially designed “pods” set in a user-
friendly interface. Available in CC Main Library

Sustainability Science: An Introduction

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-94-017-7242-6

TED Talk: Susan Lim on “Transplant Cells, Not Organs” –

https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_lim?language=en

TED Talk: Juan Enriquez on “the Next Species of Human” –

https://www.ted.com/talks/juan_enriquez_shares_mindboggling_new_science?languag
e=en#t-1144

GED 103 MT/jsgm Page 31