Science Technology and

Nation Building
Activity No.4
Science Technology and Society

BSHM 1A
Castillo, Aldriana Joy.
Geminiano de
Ocampo
Geminiano T. de Ocampo was a Filipino
ophthalmologist known to some as the
"Father of Modern Philippine
Ophthalmology". He was the founder of
the Philippine Eye Bank. He graduated
valedictorian of his class at the Bulacan
High School in 1926.

Dr. De Ocampo introduced corneal

transplantation operation iin thePhilippines
and, in 1956, designed an ophthalmologic
instrument, the De Ocampo Dissector.
 The De Ocampo Corneal Dissector

The Corneal Dissector offers a reliable way to separate the cornea from its attachment to the
sclera. Its principal use is to provide access to the anterior chamber with delicate incisions.
The De Ocampo Dissector, was manufactured by an American company. Geminiano
helped establish the Philippine Eye Bank in 1950 where he served as consultant.
De Ocampo was also instrumental in the passage and amendment of Republic Act 349
regarding the donation of eyeballs for corneal transplantation in May 1949. This enabled him
to help establish the first eye bank and eye clinic in the Philippines which helped a lot of
Filipinos.
Fe Del Mundo
Fe Villanueva del Mundo was a Filipina pediatrician. She
founded the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines and is
known for shaping the modern child healthcare system in the
Philippines. Her pioneering work in pediatrics in the Philippines
while in active medical practice spanned eight decades. She
was known as “The Angel of Santo Tomas.
She was credited with studies that led to the invention of an
improved incubator and a device to treat jaundice. Along with
pioneering work in pediatrics, she had an active medical
practice in the Philippines that spanned eight decades and
founded a major children's hospital in that country.
 Incubator

Del Mundo revolutionized Philippine medicine, making major breakthroughs in immunization

and in the treatment of jaundice, and providing healthcare to thousands of poor families.
She is credited with studies that led to the invention of the incubator and a jaundice relieving
device.

In a bid to help families in rural communities without electricity, del Mundo invented a
bamboo incubator in 1941. According to a biographical report on del Mundo by the
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, the physician’s makeshift incubator was
composed of two native laundry baskets made of bamboo. Made of different sizes, the
baskets were “placed one inside the other.” She would then put hot water bottles all around
and between the baskets to regulate the body temperature of babies.
Del Mundo’s objective of making inventions that are inexpensive and can be reproduced by
people who have limited access to medical centers.
Abelardo Aguillar
In the year 1949, a Filipino scientist rose to fame after
discovering an antibiotic derived from a strain of
bacteria found in his own property. While testing
samples of soil from his own backyard, Dr. Abelardo
Aguilar isolated a strain of bacteria which lead to the
development of Erythromycin, a broad-spectrum
antibiotic used universally today.

At the time of discovery, Dr. Aguilar was employed with

Eli Lily Co. based in the United States of America. In
good faith, he sent the soil samples to his company who
then worked on isolating Erythromycin from a strain of
bacteria found in the samples. the company launched
the product in 1952 under the brand name Ilosone.
Unfairly, the company Eli Lily Co. filed for both patent
protection and the U.S. Patent without giving Dr. Aguilar
any royalties nor credit for his discovery. Subsequently,
he fought for what was due to him in what would
become a 40 year long, fruitless battle that ended when
he passed at the age of 76.
 Erythromycin

Erythromycin is used to treat and prevent a wide range of infections in the body. These
infections include infections of the respiratory tract and skin; acute pelvic inflammatory
disease, pertussis, Legionnaire’s disease and syphilis. It is also prescribed as a replacement
drug for patients allergic to penicillin.
How did these inventions and discoveries impact society?

Inventions improve our lives in many ways. They make our tasks easier, entertain us, improve our knowledge
of the world, and even save lives. Inventions and discoveries makes people’s lives easier especially
medically, because of their inventions and discoveries scientists gives hope to cure people.

How were these inventions and discoveries supported by the

government?

By assisting them financially and helping them to improve or to evolve their inventions.
And government will find ways for dost to fin them an investors.

Did these inventions and discover serve the public good? Explain your answer

Yes, because in the first place this scientist invented this to helped the people especially those who
needs it the most. And until now their inventions are still helping people medically, so that’s why I think
their inventions serves the public good.