BINALBAGAN CATHOLIC COLLEGE

Binalbagan, Negros Occidental

College of Education

COURSE GUIDE

Science, Technology and Society (STS)

Module 7: Nanotechnology and Climate Change

This module directs you on how to discuss the major impacts (both potential and realized} of
nanotechnology on society and assess the various impacts of climate change including economic,
geopolitical, biological, meteorological, etc.
OBJECTIVES 1. Discuss the major impact of nanotechnology on society;
2. Analyze the issue through the conceptual STS lenses;
3. Describe gene therapy and its various forms, and
4. Assess the issue’s potential benefits and detriments to global health.
CONTENT a. The Nano World
b. Gene Therapy (Stem Cells)
COURSE References:
MATERIAL Buzea, C.; Pacheco, I. I.; Robbie, K. (2007). "Nanomaterials and nanoparticles: Sources
and toxicity". Biointerphases. 
Drexler, K. Eric (1992). Nanosystems: Molecular Machinery, Manufacturing, and
Computation. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Kumar, D.D.. (2006). Nanoworld of science and technology. 83.

TIME FRAME 3 hours

LESSON PROPER
ENGAGE Understanding, shaping and combining matter at the atomic and molecular scale is
called nanotechnology. Nanotechnology encompasses science, medicine, engineering,
computing and robotics at this scale, called the nanoscale. Nanotechnology offers the
potential for new and faster kinds of computers, more efficient power sources and life-
saving medical treatments. Potential disadvantages include economic disruption and
possible threats to security, privacy, health and the environment.

STUDY Discussion Questions:

1. What is the nanotechnology?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology to our
society.
3. What are the forms of gene therapy?
4. How gene therapy can be beneficial to the people?
ACTIVATE FINAL OUTPUT – MODULE 7
Write your answers in a separate long-size bond paper.
1. Choose a problem/issue in S&T that you want to address and create an advocacy
plan that embodies practical approaches of possible interventions.
2. Sample format of advocacy plan will be provided.
EVALUATION Written Test, Oral Recitation
CONSULTATION
HOURS AND FB Account: Rye
MENTOR’S FB Account Link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009489892975
LINKS Email Address: ryantvillasis@gmail.com

Prepared by:

ARGIELENE D. ARDIENTE, LPT

TONY B. LAZAGA, LLB, MAED
RYAN T. VILLASIS, MPM
GE 6 Instructors
NOTES:

The Nano World

Nanoworld of science and technology has emerged as a significant interest for governments, industries,
and academicians. The two terms used in the literature with reference to the world of nano materials are
nanoscience and nanotechnology. Nanoscience refers to the scientific study of materials of nanometer size,
and is a combination of developments in solid state chemistry, synthetic chemistry, molecular biology, solid
state physics and engineering, and scanning tunneling microscopy. Nanotechnology refers to various
technologies to produce materials of extra high precision and dimensions on the scale of one-billionth of a
meter. It implies the ability to generate and utilize structures, components, and devices with a size range from
about 0.1nm to about 100nm. Nanoworld is a highly integrated and extensively broad area of research and
development. The Royal Society and The Royal Academy of Engineering have categorized nanoscience into
nanoscale in one dimension; nanoscale in two dimensions; and nanoscale in three dimensions.

Nanotechnology or nanotech is the use of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale

for industrial purposes. The earliest, widespread description of nanotechnology referred to the particular
technological goal of precisely manipulating atoms and molecules for fabrication of macroscale products, also
now referred to as molecular nanotechnology.
A more generalized description of nanotechnology was subsequently established by the National
Nanotechnology Initiative, which defined nanotechnology as the manipulation of matter with at least one
dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers. This definition reflects the fact that quantum mechanical effects are
important at this quantum-realm scale, and so the definition shifted from a particular technological goal to a
research category inclusive of all types of research and technologies that deal with the special properties of
matter which occur below the given size threshold. It is therefore common to see the plural form
"nanotechnologies" as well as "nanoscale technologies" to refer to the broad range of research and
applications whose common trait is size.

Scientists currently debate the future implications of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology may be able to

create many new materials and devices with a vast range of applications, such as
in nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, biomaterials energy production, and consumer products. On the other hand,
nanotechnology raises many of the same issues as any new technology, including concerns about
the toxicity and environmental impact of nanomaterials, and their potential effects on global economics, as well
as speculation about various doomsday scenarios. These concerns have led to a debate among advocacy
groups and governments on whether special regulation of nanotechnology is warranted.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Nanotechnology
 Nanotechnology continues to improve and, in many cases, revolutionize many industry and technology
sectors. The fact that materials can be tailored to extremely molecular levels to provide specific properties has
meant that the science toolkit has the potential to be expanded considerably. Use of nanotechnology will make
it possible to make materials lighter, stronger, more reactive, more durable and superior electrical conductors.
There is no limit when it comes to some of the improvement that can be made on materials.

An area of concern is the effect that industrial-scale manufacturing and use of nanomaterials would
have on human health and the environment, as suggested by nanotoxicology research. For these reasons,
some groups advocate that nanotechnology be regulated by governments. Others counter that overregulation
would stifle scientific research and the development of beneficial innovations. Public health research agencies,
such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are actively conducting research on potential
health effects stemming from exposures to nanoparticles.

Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is the introduction of genes into
existing cells to prevent or cure a wide range
of diseases. For example, suppose a brain
tumor is forming by rapidly dividing cancer
cells. The reason this tumor is forming is due
to some defective or mutated gene. The
therapy chosen for this case would be to use a
herpes virus that has had its virulence
removed, rendering it harmless. The virus is
still able e to insert its genetic material into the
target cells. The virus is then taken and
injected into mouse cells, where it makes
additional copies of itself. These mouse cells,
now containing the virus, are then injected into
the brain containing the tumor. Once inside the
brain, the virus seeks out the target tumor cells
and invades them. The tumor will now start to produce herpes enzymes because the virus has inserted its
genetic material into the tumor cells. Now a physician can treat the patient with a herpes curing drug that will
destroy the tumor cells along with the mouse cells that are producing the herpes enzyme. The other target of
some of the various retroviruses used include: bone marrow, skin, and liver cells.

Genetic alteration of bone marrow cells aims to correct the mutated part of the cell or its progeny. Skin
cells work in a different manner. Geneticists found that these cells synthesize and secrete proteins, but these
are then transported through the blood to be utilized by other cells. Researchers are trying to use skin cells to
synthesize an enzyme that it does not normally make. They then hope that it will take that enzyme to some
other cell. That cell may not be able to make that enzyme, but the skin cell transports an essential enzyme that
will help that new cell function properly. Research with liver cells is still in the beginning stages.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Gene Therapy

The advantages of gene therapy far outweigh the disadvantages. The advantage of the technique, is to
give someone that is born with a genetic disease or who develops cancer the chance at a normal life. I thin k
this is an advantage that far outweighs any of the disadvantages that have been presented against gene
therapy. Giving someone a chance at a normal life should be enough for many of the people that oppose this
technique to change their minds. I believe the reason that these people are opposed to gene therapy is
because they see it as something foreign and scary. The reason people are scared is because they do not
understand the technique. I think if scientists educate our society, many people would change their minds. I
believe that if the people that oppose this technique were ever faced with cancer or a child born with a genetic
disease, they would change their views. These skeptics would choose gene therapy, especially if it would save
a loved one's life. In the coming future, gene therapy will play an important part in many people's lives.
 The basis of gene therapy is finding a gene that is not functioning right and to insert a healthy portion
into that gene. To find these genes, scientists must perform genetic tests or genetic screening to see i f the
gene that causes for example, cystic fibrosis, is present. This genetic testing is producing much controversy
and raising many ethical and legal problems. Many believe that this is an invasion of privacy. They believe that
if prenatal tests are performed that these could lead to an increase in the number of abortions. Many people
that hear a positive test for a disease are now are faced with a dilemma. That dilemma is in finding adequate
insurance to cover the treatments, which could be gene therapy, or living out their lives knowing that they carry
a gene for a disease. This positive test has placed them in a high-risk group that they may have not been in if
they had not been tested.

This high-risk tag makes insurance coverage

almost impossible to find. The insurance that will
cover them may be extremely expensive. So,
choosing to have the test may be a question of
whether they think their current insurance will cover
them or not. Many young couples may find out that
they are carriers of a disease, and now must decide if
they want to have a child that could be born with a
genetic disease. Still another problem is regulation of
the uses of gene therapy. Our society is obsessed
with the idea of youth and beauty. If scientists could
identify the gene that contributes to youth or beauty,
then the technique of gene therapy could be
monopolized by the cosmetic industry to enhance beauty or to "turn back the clock." The problem with this is
whether baldness, height, or beauty should be enough of a reason to require gene therapy. Federal regulation
will have to come into play in deciding whether a big nose is as important of a genetic problem as cystic
fibrosis and which requires gene therapy.