Leah N.

Ledesma-Fernandez, PhD
College of Arts & Sciences
Carlos Hilado Memorial State University

Learning outcomes
At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:
determine the interrelatedness of society, the environment, and health
explain the process of genetic engineering, and
discuss the implications and potential future impacts of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs)

Which do you like better?

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B

Which do you like better?

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B

Which do you like better?

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B

Which do you like better?

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B

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B
Which do you like better?

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Which do you like better?

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Which do you like better?

What do you think biodiversity means?

Bio =
Biodiversity
What does “Bio” mean?
Life

Biodiversity
Diversity = Variety
What does “Diversity” mean?

Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth and the essential interdependence of

all living things
Scientists have identified more than 8.7 million species Tens of
millions -- remain unknown

The tremendous variety of life on Earth is made possible by complex interactions

among all living things including microscopic species like algae and mites.
Biodiversity
A measure of the biological richness of an area taking into account the number of
species, community complexity and genetic variation within populations

The tremendous variety of life on earth is made possible by complex interactions

among all living things including microscopic species

There are 3 components of #biodiversity

Genetic diversity

Chihuahuas, beagles, and rottweilers are all dogs—but they're not the same because
their genes are different.
Chihuahua
Beagle
Rottweiler
Heritable variation within and between populations of organisms
Encoded in the sequence of 4 base-pairs
that make up DNA
Arises by mutations in genes
and chromosomes
Very small fraction of genetic
diversity is outwardly expressed

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2. Species diversity
#the number of species or organisms per unit area found in different habitats
Tarsier
Golden Skimmer dragonfly
Periwinkle
There are 3 components of biodiversity
Carlito syrichta
Catharanthus roseus
Libellula auripennis
Estimated 1.7 million species described to date
Estimated total number ranges from 2 to 50 million (up to 100 million) species
Mostly microorganisms and insects

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3. Ecological diversity#
Grasslands, reefs, and tropical rain forests are all ecosystems. Each one is
different, with its own set of species living in it.
Grassland
Rain Forest
Coral reef
There are 3 components of biodiversity
Communities of species, their interactions
Communities + resources (energy, nutrients, etc.) = ecosystem

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Which has more biodiversity?

A
B
Which has more biodiversity?
A
B

How many species are there?

Source: Already Extinct, Currently threatened: IUCN Red List. How many species are
there?: S. L. Pimm et al. Science 344, 1246752 (2014).
Estimates of the number of species of animals, fungi and plants vary signicantly.
That uncertainty clouds understanding of how many species are threatened and how
many are going extinct.
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Biodiversity: Why should we care?

Diverse ecosystems are more stable and healthier
More resistant to damage from factors like climate change and spread of disease
Provides important ecological services to humans
Biodiversity is useful to us as humans
Food
Goods
Medicine
Recreation

Ecological Services of #Biodiversity

Flow of material, energy in the biosphere
Photosynthesis
Pollination
Soil formation and maintenance
Nutrient cycling
Moderation of weather extremes
Purification of air and water

Important “goods” from biodiversity

Food, fuel, ecosystems, species, fiber, lumber, paper….
90% of all food crops
40% of all medicines and 85% of all antibiotics

Pacific Yew – Taxol (cancer drug)

Willow Tree - Aspirin

Threats to Biodiversity
Source: IUCN Red List. Main threats: WWF Living Planet Report 2014.
Hunting, fishing and other forms of exploitation are a major factor in declines in
animal populations, according to the Living Planet Index. Habitat degradation and
loss are also dominant threats. Climate change is expected to become a bigger
factor over time.
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Life under Threat

SOURCES: Already Extinct, Currently threatened: IUCN Red List. How many species are
there?: S. L. Pimm et al. Science 344, 1246752 (2014); B. R. Scheers et al. Trends
Ecol. Evol. 27, 501–510 (2012).
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March towards mass extinction #

SOURCE:. March towards mass extinction: Pimm et al.; C. Mora et al. Science 341,
237 (2013).
Mass extinctions — loss of 75% of existing species — have happened 5 times in the
planet’s history. If there are 5 million animal species and they are disappearing
at rate of 0.72% per year (the upper end of estimates), a sixth mass extinction
could happen by the year 2200. At the low end of the estimated range, a mass
extinction would not happen for thousands of years.

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It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our

lives.
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When Biology Met Technology…

Biotechnology
any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or
derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use

genetic engineering technology of the 21st century

Application of Biotechnology
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Recombinant DNA

Genetic Engineering: What can we do with genes?

DNA fingerprinting
Gene therapy: A "normal" gene is inserted into the genome to replace an "abnormal,"
disease-causing gene.
Gene cloning- genetically identical copies
Stem cells- harvest stem cells that can be used to study human development and to
treat disease
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) = organisms with artificially altered DNA

Examples of Transgenic Plants

Round-up ready corn/soybeans- Incorporating bacterial genes for resistance to
herbicides, so a crop plant is not killed by weed killer (herbicide).
Round-up (an herbicide) kills weeds
Farmers can spray crops with Round-up and it will kill the weeds and not the
corn/soybeans

Examples of Transgenic Plants

Bt corn contains a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis.
The "Bt" gene expresses a protein that is toxic to corn-boring insects but is
harmless to birds, fish, and mammals (including humans).
Herbivorous insects are thus prevented from eating such plants.

Examples of Transgenic Plants

Frost-free strawberry- The Arctic flounder fish produces an anti-freeze that allows
it to protect himself in freezing waters.
Anti-freeze gene was spliced into a strawberry's genome.
Strawberry is blue, doesn't turn to mush or degrade after being placed in the
freezer.
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Examples of Transgenic Plants

Banana Vaccine: bananas that contain a vaccine for hepatitis B and cholera.
Bananas provide an easy means for delivering a vaccine (especially to children)
without the need for needles.

Examples of Transgenic Animals

Less-flatulent cows – cows that produce 25% less methane- a major contributor to
the greenhouse effect

Examples of Transgenic Animals

Pigs that can produce less phosphorus, contain Omega-3 fats, and produce more milk

Examples of Transgenic Animals

Glowing zebra fish- inserted the protein for glowing from a jelly fish.

Benefits of GE Crops Used For Food

Reduced use of chemical pesticides
Less runoff of chemicals into waterways
Greater use of farming practices that prevent soil erosion
Higher profits for farmers
Less fungal contamination
More nutritious foods

Improved crop quality and easing of world hunger

Concerns of GE Crops Used For Food

Insect resistance to pesticide-producing GM crops
Herbicide-tolerant crops may cross-pollinate weeds, resulting in “super weeds”
Soil is being saturated with toxins, due to the ever-increasing use of herbicides
and pesticides to counteract resistant weeds and insects.

Concerns of GE Crops Used For Food

Certain gene products may be allergens, thus causing harm to human health
There may be unintended harm to wildlife and beneficial insects
Bees, which we rely upon to pollinate all of our crops, are dying at unprecedented
rates as a direct result of GMO crops.

Activity No.9 :# Film watching and advocacy writing

Activity for today

Form groups with 6 members each.
Brainstorm and come up with an advocacy that you think is timely, knowing that in
our emerging needs to endure in this world, biodiversity suffers just to provide
our necessities for survival.
Share you advocacy with the class.

Recommended documentaries and films