Module # 6 Biodiversity and Genetically Modified Organisms

Lesson 1: Biodiversity and Healthy Society (COVID – 19 Issues)

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, student should be able to:

1. Determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health.
2. Identify and know the basic information of COVID -19.

Introduction:

The number of species of flora, fauna, and microbial organism, the enormous
diversity of genes in these species, the varied ecosystems of Earth, such as deserts,
rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse planet and all of which
together forms biodiversity. Not only that it refers to those rare and endangered forms of
life but these also must include those that we‟re not seen in the naked eye so to speak
with different forms of viruses and bacteria. All of these species together with the genes
they have, and their environment. Thus, we can consider to have biodiversity into three
levels

1. Genetic level. This refers to the genetic differences between specific or certain
species
2. Species level. This refers to the place in which specific kind of flora or fauna
occur in varying shapes, sizes and color.
3. Ecosystem level. This refers to a place or environment having number of species
which depend on each other

A proper and suitable conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt

to recognize this as essential to any approach to preserving biodiversity.
Content:

Biodiversity is important in sustaining all forms of life on the planet. The

condition of the natural habitat where we thrive greatly depends on a lasting diversified
and balance environment. If there is one species that have been lost in an ecosystem,
then the rest of the species in that particular ecosystem will be greatly affected by the
lost. If a predator is lost in an agricultural farm then there would be no species who
would eradicate small animals and even pest who eats from the crops that are found in
the area. Therefore, biodiversity plays an essential role in ensuring good harvest and
maintain a lasting natural resource. More over biodiversity safeguards us for a fresh air,
enough supply of water and fertile soil where we can plant our crops.

Essentials of Biodiversity

We may not have realized it but our health highly reliant of biodiversity.
Sustaining food supply, providing us source of supplements, nutrients, various forms of
vitamins and minerals and a lot of forms of medicines are among the essential reasons
why biodiversity is highly essential to us. These are also among the reasons of
mankind in supporting the provisions for fresh water and clean air. Thus, also
contributing to economic and cultural enrichment. Undoubtedly it will be difficult for us
mankind to achieve a healthy society without having us to take care or maintaining out
biodiversity. However, there are still threats to biodiversity that hinders mankind to
achieve a universal good health

Abrupt and slow changes in our biodiversity can cause severe and unpredictable
effects on an overall health of living things to include mankind. Clearing of land to
provide additional areas for residential purpose for instance could be a cause for human
to be in closer contact to species of animals that may spread diseases not only to
humans but also to other animals. These may also cause the imbalance for certain
ecosystem reducing the equal distribution of predators that controls disease carrying
organism to be in contact to humans

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Biodiversity an essential source of medicines and great opportunity for medical
research

Clearing of land may bring about the loss of plants and other organisms useful in
medical research or that may contain substances used as medicines. Biodiversity loss
can impact greatly on traditional medicinal practices that utilize wild animals and plants.
Some modern drugs are also derived from wild species like inter alia pain killers like
Zincinitide from cone snail toxins, anticancer drugs like Taxol from Taxus trees and
treatment for diabetes drugs like Exanitide from Heloderma lizards and many other
potentially important species that has yet to be investigated. Studies of wildlife
anatomy, physiology and biochemistry can lead to important developments of human
medicine.

People around the globe is now facing a great challenge on maintaining a

healthy environment and society for mankind due to the loss of biodiversity and these
situations has greatly affect the supply of food and medicines and to include cultural and
religious values of many tribe and various nations around the globe. Statistics have
shown that there have been apparently 80% or majority of the world‟s population from
developing countries is directly dependent on plants as their main source for traditional
medicine. Furthermore 25% of prescriptions dispensed by doctors were using plant
extracts as active ingredient for medications they prescribed. Agriculturally speaking
crop varieties have been largely reduced over the past half of the century. Having
known that majority of the calories used by humans came from the different variety of
crops, mankind‟s diet has been modified genetically and more preservatives we‟re used
in creating food to prolong its shelf life. This has turned out to create nutrition related
diseases to increase with obesity and diabetes in include among those lists. All of these
things which in some way or another is all associated to the disturb or loss of
biodiversity.

Biodiversity conservation is important for climate change adaptation

It is now also widely recognized that biodiversity loss and climate change are
mutually reinforcing: the loss of biodiversity hastens climate change, which in turn
threatens biodiversity. This has a negative impact on human health as we struggle to

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adapt to the impact of both these environmental challenges. A climate resilient human
community will have access to protected ecosystem services, and biodiversity is an
essential component of any climate change adaptation strategy.

Biodiversity brings food security, dietary health and livelihood sustainability

The differentiation or modification of genes in foods that we process provides as

a basis in improving crops and secures production of enough amount of food crops and
food products. Thus, modification of crops can also make it resists or combat varying
environmental conditions like marginal soil, drought, flood, presence of pests and
superweeds. Food and nourishments based on varied food species can promote good
health thus assisting in protecting us from diseases associated with unhealthy diets.
Through eating nutritious food vitamin deficiency problems and recommended dietary
supplements can now be obtained. Agricultural biodiversity indeed can be a threat to
man‟s health, food security, and livelihood maintenance if it is destructed or loss.

Biodiversity regulates and controls infectious diseases

The loss of diversified species and the changes that may occur in the
environment can largely increase the spread and the hazards of infectious diseases in
many species of flora and fauna to include humans and species of livestock that are
being consumed largely by majority of the populations. SARS, avian influenza, swine
flu, Ebola, Malaria and COVID - 19 and a lot more are only among those contagious
diseases that can risk the lives of many people around the globe which are associated
to loss of biodiversity due to human activities, illegal wildlife trade and unmanageable
land use change and modifications.

Ecosystem can reduce disaster risk and support relief and recovery efforts

Healthy ecosystem and the diversified species in it can provide important natural
buffer against natural disasters like flood landslide and drought. Habitat loss due to
different reasons is also a contributory factor in desertification and dry land salinity
impacting on livelihoods community stability. Poor communities or those who are sick
and who experience low levels of livelihood security are likely to be at greatest risk of
such events.

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 Many rural and poor communities are typically more dependent on ecosystem for
their livelihood security and well - being therefore they are the most vulnerable to impact
of disasters if these ecosystems are compromised before by disaster impacts. People
who have been displaced by disaster or conflict may be more susceptible to illness and
more dependent to ecosystem services for their supply of food, shelter, medicine and
other primary needs. Through maintaining a sustainable biodiversity, we can help to
provide important resources for promoting health and rebuilding livelihoods in post crisis
situations.

While it is important for us to fully understand how biodiversity works and the
threats it may lead when it is loss. We can now reflect and cherish all these resources
for they can be loss and at stake at a glimpse without us knowing how these situations
on biodiversity loss can greatly affect our lives in many ways. We can now prepare
contingency plans on maintain and protecting biodiversity and create healthy societies
at all time. Unending hard work, labors and effort must be provided in protecting,
revitalizing and understanding biodiversity in its smallest and largest scale so mankind
can feel its instantaneous and long-lasting benefits.

Here are some ways in which we can protect and restore biodiversity for the benefit of a
healthy society

 Continue learning and knowing the different threats to biodiversity nowadays and
educate others on how to control or avoid biodiversity loss.
 Support local brands as often as possible, these does not only avoid biodiversity
loss but also help local farmers
 Promote good health and protect the air by walking or riding a bicycle
 Reduce carbon gas emission by using your car less often or by taking public
transportation

COVID – 19 Basic Information (Department of Health FAQs)

We are facing a global health crisis - one that kills people, spreads human
suffering and put off people's lives. However, this is much more than just a health issue.

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It is a crisis that greatly affects individuals, family, economy and the society. With the
heavy option of choosing between to preserve lives while staying at home as a
preventive measure of the government to control the spread of the virus and suffer from
the impact of the lockdowns to our workforce and the negative effect to our economy or
let people freely mobilize, continue with daily life but with a huge risk of contracting the
stern virus and transferring it to their close contacts. This virus causes detrimental effect
to the employment status of the majority of our workforce which has recorded the
highest adult unemployment rate of 45.5% in July of 2020. Almost all sectors were
greatly affected, even the Oversees Filipino Workers who were forced to return to the
country because of the effect of the pandemic in the countries where that are working.
Also, the following industries are extremely blown by the effects of the pandemic,
industries such as Travel and Tourism (Hotels, Resorts, Travel agencies and tour guide
services), Entertainment (Sports, Performing arts, Movies and Television), Service
industry (restaurants and bars), Clothing industries and Transportation.

The following facts about Covid-19 which is based on the website of Department of
health are as follows:

 Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses causing a range of illnesses, from the
common cold to more serious infections such as those caused by Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus can also
cause a variety of diseases in farm animals and domesticated pets.

 The novel coronavirus is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously
identified in humans. The novel coronavirus has caused severe pneumonia in
several cases in China and has been exported to a range of countries and cities.
Last February 12, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that
the novel disease is officially called Coronavirus Disease 19 or COVID-19, and
the virus infecting it is referred to as COVID-19 virus.

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  Incubation period is the period between exposure to an infection and the
appearance of the first symptoms. According to the WHO, the current incubation
period of COVID-19 ranges from 1-12.5 days. These estimates can change as
new information is being shared with the Department of Health (DOH). Based on
what we know about other coronavirus diseases, such as MERS and SARS, their
incubation period reaches up to 14 days. With COVID-19, WHO recommends to
monitor contacts of confirmed cases for 14 days.

 COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person via droplets, contact, and

fomites. It is transmitted when one individual talks, sneezes, or coughs producing
„droplets‟ of saliva containing the COVID-19 virus. These droplets are then
inhaled by another person. COVID-19 transmission usually occurs among close
contacts -- including family members and healthcare workers. It is therefore
important to maintain a distance of more than 1 meter away from any person who
has respiratory symptoms.

 According to WHO, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever,

tiredness and dry cough. Few patients experience aches and pains, nasal
congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. Patients usually have mild
symptoms that start gradually. Most patients recover without needing any special
treatment. Only around 1 of 6 patients manifest with difficulty breathing and
become seriously ill.

 COVID-19 could be fatal, but this happens rarely. According to WHO, 82% of
infected patients will have mild presentations, 15% will have severe
manifestations, and only 3% will be critical. As mentioned before, older people,
people with compromised immune systems, and people with pre-existing medical
conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, are more prone to fall severely ill
with the virus. Around 2% of people infected with the disease have died.

As a member of this society, we should adapt and move forward to the changes
brought by the pandemic. Make sure to safeguard yourself holistically. Increase

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occurrence in the mental health problems are also evident during these days of
uncertainty. Let‟s follow the health protocols set by the Inter-agency task force to ensure
the safety of our family which can contribute for the success of our country as a whole.
Collaboration and active participation are pivotal while waiting for an effective and
efficient medication and vaccine that is significant to address the issues of Covid-19.
United we stand, divided we fall…

Lesson 2: Genetically Modified Organisms: Science, Health, and

Politics

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

1. Understand how genetically modified foods are made.
2. Discuss the ethics and implications of GMOs and potential future impacts.

Introduction:

The dawn of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) started after Watsons and
Crick described the structure of DNA paving the way to genetic engineering studies.
Since then, scientists have experimented with many types of genes, some from
animals, some from other types of plants. They used a variety of mechanisms including
mutation, insertion or the deletion of genes within an organism.

While others view genetically modified organisms as a promising innovation,

there is controversy about their use. In this lesson, you will be introduced to the concept
of genetically modified organisms. You will participate in an activity equipping you with
the ability to analyze the ethical implications of GMOs and potential future impacts.

Content:

USES AND IMPLICATIONS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

1. Pest Resistance
Some crops such as corn, cotton and soy beans have been genetically
engineered to produce a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that is

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poisonous to insects or pests that damages crops, resulting in devastating financial loss
for farmers. If plants could produce a shield against pests or insects, farmers no longer
have to use insecticides and pesticides to control insect problems.

Figure 1: Comparison of corn with disease and Bt corn

Photocredit: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/90620

2. Virus Resistance

In 1980, University of Hawaii developed the genetically modified papaya resistant

to Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV). These new transgenic papaya plants are no longer
susceptible to infection, allowing farmers to cultivate the fruit even when the virus is
widespread.

Figure 2: Papaya with Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV).

Photocredit: https://www.greenlife.co.ke/papaya-ringspot/

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3. Herbicide Tolerance

Herbicides are weed killers often spray by farmers for increased and quality
production. Glyphosate is an example of herbicide widely used to kill weeds. However,
herbicides do not have the ability to identify plants that are crops or weeds. Therefore,
spraying herbicides are often time consuming and expensive because the agricultural
system can only use “selective herbicides” which are not effective at removing all types
of weeds.

Figure 3: Herbicide Spray Effects on GM crop and Weed

Source: http://www.slideshare.net/Rajdeeepsidhu/genetically-modified-cropsall-aspects

So, tolerance to the herbicide was genetically engineered into agricultural crops,
such as soybeans and corns, allowing farmers to broadly spray (Broad-spectrum or
non-selective herbicides) their farms without killing the crops. Glyphosate- resistant soy
bean and glyphosate- resistant corn, commonly called “Roundup Ready”, are examples
of engineered crops to be glyphosate resistant. These were first introduced by
Monsanto Company, a multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology
corporation in the U.S.

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4. Biofortification

Biofortification is a process to increase the nutritional value of a crop through

breeding or generic engineering. It is a strategy to eliminate micronutrient deficiencies,
including vitamin A, zinc, and iron that have greatly affected the developing world.

Figure 4. Traditional rice vs. Golden rice

Photocredit: Goldenrice.org
An example is the Golden rice which was developed to address dietary vitamin A
shortages. Vitamin A deficiency if not resolved can cause visual impairment which could
lead to blindness.

5. Production of Human Insulin

Insulin is a hormone made by pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in

the blood which is important for metabolism and utilization of energy. People suffering
from diabetes are not capable of producing the necessary amount of insulin. So, there
arises a need for such people to take a manufactured version of insulin.

With the help of genetic engineering, the human gene is attached to the DNA of
the bacteria E. coli or baker‟s yeast for insulin production. This is called GMO insulin.

6. Use in Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is a technique to introduce genetic material into cells to replace or

inactivate abnormal gene or to add a new gene in an attempt to cure or prevent genetic
disease. The GMOs like some viruses are used in gene therapy. Scientists focused on
the treatment of various genetic disorders and diseases like sickle cell anemia,
muscular dystrophy, thalassemia, hemophiliac and cystic fibrosis.

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References:

http://sciencenetlinks.com/esheets/biodiversity-and-health/

https://www.cbd.int/undb/media/factsheets/undb-factsheet-health-en.pdf

https://www.cbd.int/doc/health/cohab-policy-brief1-en.pdf

https://cnib.ca/en/blog/how-has-covid-19-impacted-your-life?region=gta

https://www.doh.gov.ph/COVID-19/FAQs

Dubock, A. (2014). The politics of golden Rice. GM Crops & Food. Vol. 5 Issue 3 p 210-
222 13p.

Duguet, AM et. al. Ethics in Research with Vulnerable Populations and Emerging
Countries: The Golden Rice Case. Journal of International Law and Commercial
Regulations. Summer 2013, Vol. 38 Issue 4, p979-1013, 35p)

Rubric for debate can be found at: http://course1.winona.edu/shatfield/air/rubrics.htm

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