Special Issues in Science,

Technology and Society

A Compilation of Lessons and Activities

VOLUME II
[This module tackles specific issues in science and technology in the context of the
information age, biodiversity and health, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and
gene therapy, nanotechnology, and climate change and environmental awareness. By
critiquing specific issues in science and technology in the context of how these affect
human lives, aims to empower students toward a renewed understanding and
appreciation of science and technology in the present context of society.]

➢ Information Age
➢ Biodiversity and the Health Society
➢ Genetically Modified
Organisms(GMO’s)
➢ Nanoworld
➢ Gene Therapy
➢ Climate Change

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 Disclaimer

This learning material is used in compliance with the flexible teaching learning
approach espoused by CHED in response to the pandemic that has globally affected
educational institutions. Authors and publishers of the contents are well
acknowledged. As such the college and its faculty do not claim ownership of all
sourced information. This learning material will solely be used for instructional
purposes not for commercialization.
CatSU, College of Arts and Sciences

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Number
Page Title i
Disclaimer ii
Table of Contents iv
Module 3: Special Issues in Science, Technology 64
and Society
Topic 8: Information Age 68
Topic 9: Biodiversity and the Health Society 72
Topic 10: Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) 81
Topic 11: Nanoworld 82
Topic 12: Gene Theraphy 87
Topic 13: Climate Change 90
Answer Sheet
Project Guide

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 Introduction

Biological diversity is the foundation for livelihoods and sustainable development,

supplying basic needs such as food, energy, medicine, recreational and cultural
benefits. However, population growth, industrialization and urbanization have
accelerated the decline and extinction of species as well as the degradation of
ecosystems. The losses are due to a range of pressures driven by socio-economic
factors, including climate change, ecosystem degradation, illegal trade and
unsustainable use.

Biotechnology can help conserve biodiversity and help protect some species from
going extinct. Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and
technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental
footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and
more efficient industrial manufacturing processes. With the development of genetic
engineering, research in biotechnology developed rapidly because of the new
possibility to make changes in the organisms' genetic material (DNA). Through genetic
engineering farmers can raise more food for a growing world population while reducing
agriculture’s impact on the environment. Genetically modified crops enable farmers to
grow more crops using less land while applying fewer chemicals and conserving water
and energy allowing farmers to be more productive and efficient. Nanotechnology is
also increasingly being used to create new foods and food packaging by breaking
matter down into microscopic nanoparticles that are just atoms wide and
“programming” them to perform specific tasks. A range of nanotech applications for
food have been used and proposed, from packaging (e.g., forming an air-tight vacuum
seal) to taste (e.g., mimicking the flavor and texture of familiar foods).

The Nano world is perhaps the fastest growing world in the twenty-first century.
Global competition among nations in nanotechnology research, development and
marketing is on the rise. Advantages of nanotechnology towards improving the quality
of life are many. However, disadvantages of nanotechnology especially related to
human health, genetic disorders and climate change are only beginning to surface
raising serious concerns. The Nano world will continue influence science and
technology

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 Topic 8: Information Age

Learning Objectives
At the end of this topic, students will be able to:
1. Discuss the history of Information Age
2. Determine the human and social impacts of developments in the Information
Age

Pre-assessment Activity: Situation

Imagine that you are at lost in the wilderness and there is a substitution cypher (a
method of encrypting message in which the letters of the original text are
systematically replaced by different alphabet) that you need to answer to solve your
dilemma.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
S T U V W X Y Z A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R

Hint: This is the first thing that you will be doing when you are at lost

Encrypted word: AFXGJESLAGF KWSJUZAFY

Answer: __________________________________

PRESENTATION OF CONTENTS

Information plays an important role in understanding the truth and reality. If there
are information available, our lives might be enigmatic and chaotic. The development
of our system of acquiring, storing and retrieving information had spurt with the advent
of science and technology and now we are in the century which is considered by many
as the Information Age.

Information Age is the period starting in the last quarter of the 20th century when
information became effortlessly accessible through publication and through the
management of information by computers and computer networks. It is a true new age
based upon the interconnection of computers via telecommunications, with these
systems operating on both real-time and as needed basis- Theory of Information Age
(Messenger, 1982).

Before it has reached its current state, constant change has taken place in the
form of information revolution. By 1960’s to 1970’s, rapid growth of information
resulted to difficulty in collecting and managing them1980’s there was Information
Anxiety (Richard Wurman). In 1990’s, information became the currency of the
business world. At present, information turned out to be a commodity, an over
developed product, mass produced and unspecialized.

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 Robert Harris has outlined the truths about Information Age. He described it as
follows
1. Information must complete
2. Newer is equated to truer
3. Selection is a viewpoint
4. The media sells what the culture buys
5. The early word gets the perm
6. You are what you eat and so is your brain
7. Anything in great demand will be counterfeited
8. Ideas are seen as controversial
9. Undead information walks ever on
10. Media presence creates the story
11. The medium selects the message
12. The whole truth is a pursuit

Accessibility of information was made faster and easier with the aid of computer.
One of the significant applications of computers for science and research is evident in
the field of bioinformatics. Bioinformatics is the application of information technology
to store, organize and analyze vast amount of biological data which is available in the
form sequences and structures of proteins – the building blocks of organisms and
nucleic acids- the information carrier (Madan, n.d.) Such was established because of
the need to create databases of biological sequences. Application includes the Human
Genome Project, Pharmacogenomics Drug Discovery, Gene Finder and Annotator.

GUTENBERG TO SOCIAL MEDIA

German goldsmith, Johannes Gutenberg, invented the printing press around

1440. This invention was a result of finding
a way to improve the manual, tedious, and
slow printing methods. A printing press is a
device that applies pressure to an inked
surface lying on a print medium, such as
cloth or paper, to transfer ink. Gutenberg’s
hand mould printing press led to the
creation of metal movable type. Later the
two inventions were combined to make
printing methods faster and they drastically
reduced the costs of printing documents.
The Gutenberg Press(www.pinterest.com)
The beginnings of mass communication can be traced back to the invention of the
printing press. The development of a fast and easy way of disseminating information
on print permanently reformed the structure of society. Political and religious
authorities who took pride in being learned and threatened by the sudden rise of
literacy among people. With the rise of the printing press, the printing press made the
mass production of books possible which made books accessible not only in the upper
class.

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 “Enigma M4” Cypher Machine
(justcollecting.com)
As years progressed, calculations
became involved in communication due to the
rapid developments in the trade sector. Back
then, people who compiled actuarial tables
and did engineering calculations served as
“computers”. During World War II, the Allies,
(US, Canada, Britain, France, USSR,
Australia, etc.), countries that opposed the
Axis powers (Germany, Japan, Italy, Hungary
Romania, and Bulgaria), were challenge with
the serious shortage of human computers for
military calculations. When soldiers left for
war, the shortage got worse, so the United States addressed the problem by creating
the Harvard Mark 1, a general-purpose electromechanical computer that was 50 feet
long and capable of doing calculations in seconds that usually took people hours. At
the same time, Britain needed mathematicians to crack the German Navy’s Enigma
code. The Enigma was an enciphering machine that the German armed forces used
to securely send messages.

Alan Turing, an English mathematician, was

hired in 1936 by the British top-secret
Government Code and Cipher School at
Bletchley Park to break the Enigma code. His
code-breaking methods became an industrial
process having 12,000 people working 24/7.

To counteract this, the Nazis made the

Enigma more complicated having approximately
10¹¹⁴ possible permutations of every encrypted
message. Turing, working on the side of the
Allies, invented Bombe, an electromechanical
machine that enabled the British to decipher encrypted messages of the German
Enigma machine. This contribution of Turing along with other cryptologists shortened
the war by two years (Munro,2012).

In his paper On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the

Entscheidungsproblem, first published in 1937, Turing presented a theoretical
machine called Turing machine that can solve any problem from simple instructions
encoded on a paper tape. He also demonstrated the simulation of Turing machine to
construct a single Universal Machine. This became the foundation of computer
science and the invention of a machine later called a computer, that can solve any
problem by performing any task from q written program (DeHaan,2012).

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 In the 1970s, the generation who witnessed the dawn of the computer age was
prescribed as the generation with
“electronic brains”. The people of
this generation were the first to be
introduced to personal computers
(PCs). Back then, Homebrew
Computer Club, an early computer
hobbyist group, gathered regularly
to trade parts of computer and
hardware and talked about how to
make computers more accessible to
everyone. Many members of

Apple I, also called Apple-1 or Apple Computer 1

the club ended up being high-profile entrepreneurs, including the founders of

Apple Inc. In 1976 Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., developed the
computer that made him famous: The Apple I. Wozniak designed the operating
system, hardware, and circuit board of the computer all by himself. Steve Jobs,
Wozniak’s friend, suggested to sell the Apple I as a fully assembled printed circuit
board. This jump started their career ass founders of Apple Inc.

The information age, which progressed from the invention of the printing press to
the development of numerous social media platforms, has immensely influenced the
lives of the people. The impact of these innovations can be advantageous or
disadvantageous depending on the use of these technologies.

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 APPLICATION

Activity 1
Arrange the photos chronologically by writing numbers 1-12 below each photo and
explain the manner by which information is being acquired, stored, retrieve and utilize

Activity 2: Fake News

Problems on fake news have surfaced different multimedia platform, with these,
users must be knowledgeable on how to verify the authenticity of a source. Create a
checklist on how to check on the reliability and authenticity of information found in
websites and journals.

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 Topic 9: Biodiversity and Health Society

Learning Objectives
At the end of this topic, students will be able to:
1. Determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health
2. Discuss the ethics, implications, and potential future impacts of GMOs

Pre-assessment Activity: Think, Pair and Share

Bio diversity
Look at the word “biodiversity”. It’s actually two words combined together. With your
partner, breakdown the meaning of the two words in biodiversity.

Bio means___________________________________________________________
Diversity means______________________________________________________

Now, combine the two words and try to come up with your own definition of biodiversity:

Biodiversity means
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

PRESENTATION OF CONTENTS

What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is defined as the variety of life present in an ecosystem. Biodiversity

is important in how society benefits from it. There are three different types of
biodiversity: genetic, specific, and ecological diversity. Genetic biodiversity refers to the
variations among organisms of the same species. These variations are usually passed
down from parents to offspring. Species diversity refers to the variety of species within
a particular region. Species diversity is influenced by the environmental conditions in
the region. Species are the normal measure biodiversity for these are the basic units
of biological classification. Species are grouped together in families based on shared
characteristics. Lastly, ecological diversity refers to the network of different species in
an ecosystem and the interaction of these species. The variations of climatic and
altitudinal conditions along with varied ecological habitats are the reasons for the
richness in biodiversity of a particular region on earth.

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 Marine Biodiversity
Health and Medicine
Since 2600 BC, people have been using plants to treat illnesses, hence the
practice of herbal medicine. Cupressus sempervirens (Cypress) and Commiphora myrrha
(myrrh), for instance, have been used to treat cough, colds, and inflammation since
the ancient times. Herbal medicines were also used in healing rituals and in the
treatment of injuries resulting from wars or accidents. Various plant-based drugs such
as gargles, pills, infusions, and ointments were used in Ancient Egypt as well as an
Ancient China. Beginning 100 BC to 300 BC, the Greeks recorded the collection,
storage, and use of medicinal herbs. During the Dark and Middle Ages, monasteries
in England, Ireland, France, and Germany preserved the Western knowledge of
treating illnesses using herbal medicine. As such, the use of herbal medicine in ancient
civilizations was dependent on the biodiversity present in their respective
environments.

Salviana apiana or California Sage

For example, Salvia apiana (California sage), was an herbal plant used by Indian
tribes of Southern California to aid in childbirth and was believed to protect the immune
system from respiratory ailments. Another example, Alhagi maurorum (camel thorn),
secretes a sweet and gummy substance from its stems and leaves called manna during
hot days. Manna from the camel thorn contains melezitose, and sucrose, an invent
sugar. It is believed to have diuretic, diaphoretic, laxative, expectorant,

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gastroprotective, antiseptic, and anti-diarrheal properties. Israelis were known to use
the roots of the plant to treat diarrhea. The Konkani people smoked the plant to treat
asthma, and Romans used the plant to treat polyps. The plant Ligusticum scoticum
(Scottish lovage) is believed to treat hysterical and uterine disorders. Its seeds are
used to relieve flatulence and to stimulate the senses.
Many medicinal products available in the market today are derived from natural
substances from pants. Salycilic acid, the active ingredient of the anti-inflammatory
drug, aspirin for example, is derived from the bark of the willow tree. Morphine, one of
the most widely known painkilles which wass first marketed and used in the 1800s, is
derived from Papaver somniferum commonly known as opium poppy. Digitoxin, used in
the management of congestive heart failure, is derived from Digitalis purpurea
(foxglove) which has already been used to treat heart conditions since 1700s.
After penicillin underwent its first
clinical trials in 1938 and the first
indication of antibiotic resistance to
penicillin was reported in 1941, new
antibiotics from microorganisms and
bioactive natural products continued to
be discovered. In the 1970s, the
production of the bacterial strains
supersensitive to ß-lactams, tests for
the inhibition of ß-lactamases, and
specificity for sulfur-containing
metabolites led

Ascomycota

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to the discovery of novel antibiotic structural classes (i.e.,norcardicins,
carbapenems, and monobactams). Fungi and microorganisms found in trees,
grasses, algae and herbaceous plants, and living in the intercellular spaces of
plant stems, petioles, root, and leaves have been widely used in the production
of many important medicinal products today.
In 1994, an oral formulation of pilocarpine was used and approved for the
treatment of dry mouth (xerostamia). In 1998, another drug was approved to
manage an autoimmune disease that damages the salivary and lacrimal glands
called Sjogren’s syndrome. In 2004, the drug quinine was isolated from the bark
of Cinchona succriba Pav. Ex. Klotzsch and was approved to treat malaria (Dias
et al., 2012). At present more and more developments are being introduced in
the pharmaceutical industry to produce new drugs for the treatment of diseases.
Food
Food is basic need for human survival. During the Stone Age, humans
relied only on hunting and foraging to get food. They depended on what
ecosystem could readily provide them. As the Earth’s population grew, the
demand for food increased. Crops that can be grown were discovered and
cultivated and animals were domesticated. Throughout history, agriculture and
cultivation evolved from picking desirable crops and breeding animals to
maintaining stable supply of food to last for long periods of time as preparation
for the changing seasons and the possibility of natural disasters. Ways to
cultivate desired species of crops and animals suitable for co Sumption also
evolved throughout time. The increasing demand for food as the world
population grew also resulted in the developments of more lands for agriculture.
Farmers and fishermen rely on healthy ecosystems for their livelihood.
The benefits of biodiversity are necessary for the growth of many important
crops. About 39 of the leading 57 global crops need birds and insects as
pollinators. Agrobiodiversity is the result of careful selection and innovative
developments by farmers, fishers, and herders throughout the years. Harvested
crop varieties and non-harvested species in the environment that support
ecosystems for food production fall under agrobiodiversity.

Vegetable Crops
Energy

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 Humans rely on energy provided by ecosystems to d the necessary
activities in order to survive. In the Stone Age, heat energy from fire was used
mainly for survival against harsh cold environments, for cooking, and for
communication with nearby tribes in the form of smoke. In 1000 BC, coal as a
source of energy was used by people in northeastern China for heating and
cooking.it eventually became popular in civilizations, such as the Romans and
Northern Native Americans. In 400 BC, water energy or hydro power was used by
the Ancient Greeks and Romans and for the irrigation. In 347 AD, the earliest
known oil wells were developed in China. They made use of extensive bamboo
pipelines with depths of 800 feet for lighting and heating. In 500 to 900 AD, the
Persians started to use wind-powered grain mills and water pumps. By 1300,
windmills, taking the modern pinwheel shape, were developed in Western
Europe, and in 1390, the Dutch built larger windmills for draining lakes and
marshes in the Rhine River Delta.
Wind energy was also used to navigate through bodies of water. During
the 1700s to 1800s, at the time of the Industrial Revolution, biomass as a
primary source of energy was replaced with coal and the British discovered that
by burning, coal is transformed into hot-burning coke, a fuel with a high carbon
content and few impurities. With this, the use of coal became widespread all
over the world.
In 1820s, natural gas was used as a source of light although the lack of
pipeline infrastructure made its distribution challenging. In 1830s, the electric
generator was developed based on Michael Faraday’s discovery of
electromagnetism. In 1850s, commercial oil was drilled which led to the
distillation of kerosene from petroleum. In 1860s Augustine Mouchot developed
the first solar powered system for industrial machinery. In 1892, geothermal
energy was first used. In 1942, the first nuclear fission reactor was designed
and built. In the 19th century and 20th century, the utilization of coal energy
shaped the industrialization of the United States, United Kingdom, and other
European countries.

Windmills
From the development of the use of energy sources throughout history,
it can be seen that there was no direct nor indirect exhaustion of biodiversity, in
the utilization of energy resources, However, as early as 1973, the effects on

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the environment and the risk of potential accidents when using energy alarmed
many environmental organizations. In 1979, a nuclear reactor accident at Three
Mile Island biggest oil spill in the US waters, the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska
occurred. In the 2000s, a number of catastrophic events transpired, example,
the coal ash pill in Tennesse, oil spill n Gulf of Mexico, and the Fukushima
nuclear crisis in Japan (Battaglia, 2013).
A study conducted by Jones, Pejchar, and Kiesecker (2015) reported the
repercussins of society’s demand for clean and abundant energy on biodiversity
and human well-being. The demands for energy but, in turn, have resulted in
adverse effects on biodiversity in terms of wildlife mortality, habitat loss, and
change in carbon stock and water resources.
Water Storage and Flood Control
The earliest recorded civilizations were situated near rivers or lakes which
made their livelihoods dependent on water. With increasing demand for potable
and drinkable water along with the discovery of groundwater 2,000 years ago,
wells began to be used in the Middle East. Water from rivers and lakes was
also used for irrigation. To cope wit the adverse effects of the changing tides,
floodways were utilized to prevent flooding in nearby communities that usually
result in damaged crops. Aqueducts were invented and built by the Romans and
the Greeks, to maintain stable water supplies to communities that were far from
bodies of water and irrigation of crops, dams were built to maintain water supply
in communities.

Aqueduct
Air and Water Treatment
Some of the gases considered as criteria pollutants like NOx and 03, in
moderate amounts, contribute to a healthy ecosystem and, balanced
biodiversity. However, due to excessive concentrations of these gases, the
capacity of the environment to clean itself and to be resilient is diminished.
Excessive nitrogen stimulates the growth of nitrogen-loving plant
species but reduces the occurrence of plant species adapted to low-nitrogen
environment. Nitrogen reduces the resilience of forests to other environmental
stresses such as drought, frost, pests, and diseases. The concentration limit of

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nitrate in drinking water is too high to protect the natural ecosystems particularly
the plant species. Widespread exceedance of nitrogen critical concentrations
will adversely affect the structure and function ecosystem.
The effect of excessive nitrogen in the environment may not be felt at
once. It may take decades but this will definitely weaken the resilience of soil
and plants. From 1990 to 2006, there was an extensive vegetation damage
around the world due to ozone. Ozone can be good or bad, depending on where
it is found-the earth’s upper atmosphere or at ground level. Ozone found at
ground level is known as the bad ozone. It is created by chemical reactions
between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC) under
the presence of sunlight. High levels of ground level ozone promote early
flowering, affecting the synchronization of pollinators and flowers. Ground level
ozone also damages the leaves of salad crops, consequently reducing their
market value. In 2000, ozone pollution reduced wheat yield by 14 percent and
the tomato yield by 9 percent which created a domino affect in the overall
production and consumption of goods.
Protocol on Biodiversity
There is a need to enhance the implementation of regulations and
worldwide protocols, such as the Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocol. The
Cartagena Protocol among ten Pacific countries, namely Fiji, Kiribati, the
Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the
Solomon Islands, and Tonga, aims to ensure the safe transport, handling, and
use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology
that may have adverse effects on biodiversity. It was adopted in January 29,
2000 and was enforced in September 11, 2003. It is linked to Convention on
Biological Diversity, which helps to protect Pacific communities and biodiversity
from the consequences of living modified organisms. It requires having facilities
in place through proper legislative frameworks, laboratory facilities, technology,
and technical capabilities to enable countries to detect, measure, and monitor
LMOs that come into the country (Secretariat of the Pacific Regional
Environment Programme, 2016).
Locally, strict implementation of environmental laws among industries
and communities alike must be ensured to prevent further damage of
biodiversity from air pollution and water pollution. There should also be efforts
to ensure that whatever treatment is employed it should not promote mass
pollution transfer from one matrix of the environment to another.

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Topic 9: Genetically Modified Organisms: Science, Health and
Politics

Learning Objectives
At the end of this topic, students will be able to:
1. Determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health
2. Discuss the ethics and implications of GMOs and potential future impacts

PRESENTATION OF CONTENTS

Genetically Modified Organisms

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are products of artificial

manipulation and alteration of a species’ genetic material in a laboratory using
genetic engineering. Plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes may be combined
or may be crossbred to produce another kind of species that do not naturally
occur in the environment.

One of the most controversial issues in science and technology is the

introduction of genetically modified seeds in the agriculture sector that resulted
in increased crop yield. New technologies are used to artificially develop traits
in plants, such as resistance to browning and pests. With the aim to improve
harvest and the agriculture sector as a whole, humans seem to be disinterested
in preserving genetic diversity the natural way.

Genetically modified Tomato

Increase crop yield, pest resistance, and other benefits of GMOs are indeed
advantageous, yet there are also disadvantage that need to be studied
comprehensively. In addition, the growing concern with how GMOs may affect
consumers’ health and the environment needs to addressed.

Genetic engineering, usually associated with recombinant DNA

technology, is founded on the work of many scientists over the years. In 1953,
the discovery of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick opened the gates for
the countless possibilities of genetic engineering. In 1973, Herbert Boyer and

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Stanley Cohen were the first scientists to genetically modify an organism by
combining genes from two different E. coli.

In 1982, the US Supreme Court ruled to allow the patenting of GMOs.

This ruling allowed the Exxon Oil company to start using a microorganism that
can consume oil.

In 1982, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first
GMO – Humulin, a type of insulin produced using genetically engineered E. coli
bacteria to be available in the market.

In 1993, FDA approved bovine somatotropin (bST), a metabolic protein

hormone used to increase milk production in dairy cows for commercial use.

In 1994, FDA approved the Flavr Savr tomato for sale on grocery stores.
This kind of tomato has a delayed-ripening effect that gives a longer shelf life
compared with natural tomatoes.

In 1995, Bt Potatoes and Corn, and Roundup Ready Soybeans were

approved safe by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In 1996, weeds resistant to glyphosate, the herbicide used for many

GMO crops, were detected in Australia. Research shows that the super weeds
are 7 to 11 times more resistant to glyphosate than the standard susceptible
population. In the same year, Dolly, the first cloned animal, was born.

In 1997, the European Union ruled in favor of mandatory labeling on all

GMO food products, including animal feed.

In 1998, a genetically papaya in Hawaii was found to be resistant to the

Ring spot virus and produced the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin, an insecticide that
is not harmful to humans.

Starting 1999, over 100 million acres worldwide are planted with
genetically engineered seeds.

In 2000, golden rice was developed in the Philippines to address

vitamin A deficiency, which is a public health issue in Asian countries where rice
is a staple food crop. Golden rice is a variety (Oryza sativa) genetically modified
to biosynthesize beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A, in the edible parts of
rice. Additional three beta-carotene-synthesized genes differentiate the golden
rice from its parental strain. The introduction of golden rice from its parental
strain. The introduction of golden rice was opposed by environmental and anti-
globalization advocates because this GMO was thought to compromise food
production, nutrition, and financial security.

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 APPLICATION- “IMAGINATION MO LANG ANG LIMIT”

1. Draw the weird living organism assigned to your group in a ¼-sized

illustration board using your art materials.
1. Glow-in-the-dark Leaves
2. Glowing Fish
3. Robot-legged Cat
4. Transparent Frog
5. Featherless Chicken
6. Colored Carrots
7. Watermelon Apple
8. Golden Rice
2. Briefly present the interpretation of your drawing to class. Identify the
pros and cons of one of the GMOs assigned to you
Criteria:
Creativity - 20 pts.
Delivery - 20 pts.
Teamwork - 10 pts.
Total - 50 pts
3. Read and review the article, The Politics of Golden Rice by Adrian
Dubock (July 30, 2014). Download the article here:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.4161/21645698.2014.967570?s
croll=top&needAccess=true

Topic 9: Genetically Modified Organisms: Science, Health and

Politics

Learning Objectives
At the end of this topic, students will be able to:
1. Discuss the major impacts (both potential and realized) of
nanotechnology on society
2. Analyze the issue through the conceptual STS
3. Critique the issue on its costs and benefits to society

Pre-Assessment Activity

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Before we begin your journey to the smallest possible scale in the realm of
science, try answering these questions:
1. Can you think of fields where size or weight of materials or products is
important?
2. Can you build a statue from a pile of dust?
3. Can you think of situations were scientist have to make assumptions
because they couldn’t see what they were studying?
4. Do you think we are capable in unlocking the key to how natural
elements are designed and created?

PRESENTATION OF CONTENTS
“Nanotechnology is the sixth truly revolutionary technology introduced in the modern
world…”-D. Allan Bromley

Timeline of Technological Advancements

Photo credits to Dr. Iwona Turlik

Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the branch of technology that deals with the
manipulation and study of matter at the nanoscale. It covers all types of
research and technologies that deal with the special properties of matter on an
atomic molecular and supramolecular scale.
Scientists in the field of chemistry, biology, physics, materials science,
and engineering are all involved in studying matter on the nanoscale.
Nanotechnology is “convergent” because it brings together various fields of
science through its innovations, e.g., DNA silicon chips, converging between
semiconductor science (inorganic chemistry) and biology, with applications in
the medical industry. It also involves designs, characterization, production, and
application of structures, devices, and systems by controlling shapes and sizes
at the nanometer scale. This technology is “enabling” in the sense that it
provides the platform and the tools to produce innovations.
To decipher how nanotechnology works, three dimensions must be
considered. The first dimension involves tangible object which include
materials, devices, and systems. The second dimension deals with the passive
and static objects i.e., nanoparticles that have properties different bulk objects,
even if they have the same composition; the active devices, i.e., those that can
store information, induce energy, or change their state; and the nanofacture,
which refers to atomically precise manufacturing (APM), i.e., collection of
instruments and procedures. The third dimension is direct nanotechnology
which refers to materials structured at nanoscale components. This also

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extends to indirect nanotechnology, which start with nanoparticles but can be
used in huge applications i.e., hugely powerful information processors with
individual nanoscale components (Ramsden, 2009).

NanoFacture

Applications of Nanotechnology
With scientists and engineers continuously finding ways to make
materials at the nanoscale, more and more uses of nanotechnology arise.
In medicine, nanotechnology
has numerous applications in the
development of more effective drugs.
Assisted by the view of molecules
afforded by X-ray lasers, biological
mechanisms can be simulated to
destroy a cancer cell while it is treated
by drug-bearing nanoparticles.
Nanobots, or molecular scale workers
can employ molecular processes
within cells, which can deliver drugs to
specific molecular sites or even carry
out surgery (Biercuk, 2011). It is now
possible to diagnose prevalent
contagious diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, among others, with
screening devices using nanotechnology (Maclurcan, 2005).
Water purification systems containing nanomaterials and utilizing new
membrane technologies containing variable pore-sized filters (i.e., the forward-
osmosis membrane technology of Hydration Technologies) are now available
(Jadhawar, 2004). Nanoparticles are also used to prepare heat-resistance and
self-cleaning surfaces, such as floors and benchtops. Nanoparticles of silicon
dioxide or titanium dioxide can also make a surface repel water, thus preventing
stains. Detergent molecules self-assemble into a sphere to form a micelle that
allows the detergent to trap oils and fats within the cavity of the sphere that aids
in washing surfaces. Zeolites are silicon oxides and aluminum oxides that have
specific nonporous cage-like structure that are used as molecular sieves.

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 In agriculture, novel techniques of nanotechnology applications are
applied to breed crops with higher levels of micronutrients to detect pests and
to control food processing (Hekman, 2005). Ultra-small probes on earth
surfaces for agricultural applications and control soil, air, and water
contaminations are also developed using nanotechnology (Zhang et al., 2011).

Nanotechnology application on agriculture

A simple, cheap, and affective way of removing arsenic in soil and water is
through the use of TiO2 nanoparticles. (Pena et al., 2005). A nanotechnology-
inspired detector from Washington, which can sense the smallest amount of
radiation, located at nuclear leak faster and more accurately at the Fukushima
Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Zhang et al., 2011) Chlorinated compounds (i.e.,
chlorinated solvents and Pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and
brominated compounds) are major environmental contaminants that can be
reduced using nanoscale metal particles, such as FeO and Fe-Ni in conjunction
within iron filings {Fe(0)}(Dayrit et al., 2008). Silver (Ag) has long been known
to exhibit strong antimicrobial properties. Its activity has been enhanced with
the discovery that the bactericidal properties of Ag nanoparticles (1-100 nm)
are dependent on both their size and shape.
Bionanotechnology can support cleaner production methods and
provide alternative and renewable energy sources to enhance the sustainability
of factories (Colvin, 2003). Nanotechnology helps in energy consumption like
in the use of graphene into a coating material resulting in the need for only one
layer, which does not require a multifunctional film coating. Nanoscale chemical
reagents or catalyst are smaller yet they increase the rate of chemical reactions,
thus lessening the input of raw materials (Zhang et al., 2011)

85
 Graphene Buckyballs
In the Philippines, nanotechnology can be applied in making sources of
renewable energy accessible to many, developing medicine that would address
serious diseases, improving the state of agriculture, and more. There are also
existing and ongoing research studies funded by the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST) on the possible application of technology, as well as
on Nan-Metrology and Education and Public Awareness.

Challenges of Nanotechnology
The advantages brought by innovations in nanotechnology come with
price. With rapid developments in nanotechnology, its adverse effects become
more visible.
The environmental effect of mineral-based nanoparticles found in
cosmetics, paints, clothing, and other products are questioned as they go
through sewerage treatment plants untreated due to their undetectable size.
They can be carried down by fine silts or microplastics with both inorganic or
organic pollutants. Thus, these may affect water source (Biercuk, 2011). For
instance, in the 1980s, a semiconductor plant contaminated the ground water
in Silicon Valley, California (Zhang et al., 2011).

Nano contaminants

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 Carbon nanotubes used in the manufacture of memory storage, electronics,
batteries, etc. were found to have unknown harmful impacts to the human body
by inhalation into lungs comparable to asbestos fiber 11. A pulmonary
toxicological evaluation of single-wall carbon nanotubes indicated that it is more
toxic than carbon black and quartz.
Due to its size, a nanoparticle is not easy to analyze. Lack of information
and methods of characterizing nanomaterials makes it a challenge to detect its
concentration in air or in any matrix of the environment. Predicting the toxicity
of a nanomaterial relies heavily on information about its chemical structure
since minor changes in its chemical function group could drastically change its
properties. Point-to-point risk assessment at all stages of nanotechnology
should then be conducted to ensure the safety to human health and
environment. Risk assessment should include the exposure risk and its
probability of exposure, toxicology analysis, transport risk, persistence risk,
transformation risk, and ability to recycle (Zhang et al., 2011). This is which
quite expensive due to the difficulty of detecting nanoparticles.
Ethical Dilemmas of Nanotechnology
With the identical potential hazards that nanoparticles can bring to
human health and the environment, should people disregard the benefits that
nanotechnology provide them?
Issues raised regarding nanotechnology should be further studied, and
nanotechnology methods should be modified. For example, altering the
composition of graphene, known to be one of the most advanced materials for
structural improvement, replacing silicon, in electronic devices, and thermal
transferring nanomaterials can be done to diminish environmental hazards of
nanotechnology. Some studies also found microorganism that can decompose
graphene to make it less toxic for the environment (Zhang et al., 2011).
It is imperative, therefore, that experts and government support
themselves with enough knowledge on how nanomaterials work for the benefit
of society.
APPLICATION
Be Informed!
Watch the video on YouTube entitled “The Next Step in Nanotechnology” by
George Tule ski, TED Talks.
Here’s a link for a faster access.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds_rzoyyfF0https://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=Ds_rzoyyfF0.
Answer the following question:
1. What are the possible innovations can nanotechnology offer?

2. Why do you think few scientists works on nanotechnology?

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 3. Do you think nanotechnology be applicable to solve environmental
problems?

4. In the world of medicine, nanotechnology can play a big role in the repair
of cells, cure diseases and even delay aging, if this happens, what would
this mean to our society?

Topic 9: Gene Therapy (Stem Cells)

Learning Objectives
At the end of this topic, students will be able to:
1. Describe the gene therapy and its various forms
2. Assess the issue’s potential benefits and detriments to global health

Pre-Assessment Activity: W-O-R-D-U-P

Directions: Using the grid below, find words related to gene therapy. You may
use the statements that follow as your clues to identify the words. Write your
answer on the space provided after each statement.
E Q Z X L E L L Q S T Y C W M
C G V C H T S I P K I K I U E
G O E B K H U N T I N G T O N
V L C R H O R U F H R A A N I
V W T Y M P I H C E T U M R O
J Q O K A L V F L I T E O R T
B L R L U L I R D W E T S E A
O E S M T T A N Q N T Y U O I
L S I C K L E C E L L A N E M
P S V E O U Q G A A E I O Z P

1. A disorder of the nervous system that usually occurs after the age of 45.
________________
2. A disorder in the blood caused by an inherited abnormal hemoglobin (the
oxygen-carrying protein within the red blood cells). ______________________
3. Are plasmid or viruses that are used to move recombinant DNA from one cell
to another. _________________
4. Is the alteration of the nucleotide sequence of the genome of an organism,
virus or extrachromosomal DNA. ____________________
5. A unit of DNA that is usually located on a chromosome and that controls the
development of one or more traits. ______________
6. Gene therapy that targets the reproductive cells meaning any changes made
to the DNA will be passed on to the next generation. _________________

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7. It is when the DNA is transferred into body tissues. It specifically targets cells
in the body which are not passed on to the person’s children.
___________________

PRESENTATION OF CONTENTS

Gene therapy is the method of inserting genes or nucleic acid into cells
as a drug to treat genetic diseases. In 1972, Theodore Friedman and Richard
Roblin proposed that people with genetic disorders can be treated by replacing
defective DNA with good DNA.

Gene Augmentation Therapy

In 1985, Dr. W. French Anderson and Dr. Michael Blasse worked together to
show that cells of patients with Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency can be
corrected in tissue culture. In 1990, the first approved gene therapy clinical
research took place at the National Institute of Health (NIH) under the team of
Dr. Anderson. It was conducted on a four-year-old girl who had ADA deficiency.
In 1993, the first somatic treatment that produced a permanent genetic change
was performed.
The first commercial gene therapy product Gendicine was approved in
China in 2003 for the treatment of certain cancers. Due to some clinical
successes since 2006, gene therapy gained greater attention from researchers
but was still considered as an experimental technique.
In 2016, the Committee for Medical Products for Human Use (CHMP) of
the European Medicines Agency (EMA) endorsed the gene therapy treatment
called Strimvelis that was approved by the European Commission in June 2018.
Some studies transplanted genes to speed up the destruction of cancer
cells. Gene or cell therapies have emerged as realistic prospects for the
treatment of cancer, and involve the delivery of genetic information to a tumor
to facilitate the production of therapeutic proteins. This area of gene therapy

89
still needs further studies before an efficient and safe gene therapy procedure
is adopted (Gene Revolution: Issues and Impacts, n.d., Wirth et al., 2013)

Ethnical Issues in Genetic Engineering

Various concerns on genetic engineering arise, making gene therapy
and GMOs very controversial innovations in science and technology. Others
support that it is unethical for humans to have a hand in genetically altering and
engineering organisms. There are instances when genetic engineering has
caused severe repercussions to public health. Until today, cloning is still
unacceptable to many for it violates the belief that only a higher being should
be responsible for the existence of organisms on earth. There are also ethical
and normal issues on stem cell therapy as it makes use of stem cells sourced
from human embryos and thus destroy them. These concerns regarding genetic
engineering and gene therapy are rooted in the question of whether or not
humans are playing gods in the alteration of genes of organisms.
Genetic engineering also poses problems in agriculture. Hence, there is
a need to study the ecological processes applied to agricultural production
systems. Agroecology is a field of study that presents novel management
approaches on farming systems that may help address concerns regarding the
effect of GMOs on biodiversity and the health of the consumers. Further
researches as well as clinical experiments to outline functional mechanisms,
predictive approaches, patient-related studies, and upcoming challenges
should be done to address existing problems in the development of and to
acquire future perspectives in gene therapy.

PROS AND CONS

Direction: Complete the table below regarding on the effects of gene therapy to
health and to the society.
PROS CONS
Human health
Society
1. What do you think about gene therapy?
2. Do you think the Food and Drug Administration should or should not approve
gene therapy treatments for use in the Philippines?
3. Do you think the government should or should not fund scientific researches
on changing the genes of unborn babies that aims to improve their
characteristics such as intelligence or physical traits such as athletic ability or
appearance

Topic 10: CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ENERGY CRISIS

90
 Learning Objectives
At the end of this topic, students will be able to:
1. Identify the causes of climate change
2. Assess the various impacts of climate change including economic,
geopolitical, biological, meteorological, etc.
3. Apply STS concepts to the issue of climate change

Pre-Assessment : CONCEPT MAP

You might have already heard of “Climate Change” in some social platforms as
a hot issue and advocacy that calls for biological, economical, sociological and
political concerns. Below is a concept map, with the word climate change at the
center, write something out of what you know and understand about this issue.

CLIMATE CHANGE

PRESENTATION OF CONTENTS
“There is no question that climate change is happening; the only arguable point is what part
humans are playing in it.”

91
 -David Attenborough

Climate Change

Emission of greenhouse gases

Climate change is the range of global phenomena caused by burning fossil
fuels that add heat-trapping gases to the Earth’s atmosphere. Global warming,
used interchangeably with climate change, specifically refers to Earth’s upward
trend of temperature since the 20th century. It is generally defined as the general
warming effect caused by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The
greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation that enters the atmosphere and
radiate it to the Earth’s surface as heat, thereby warming the Earth. Some
common greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming include naturally
occurring gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous
oxides (NOx), and man-made gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),
hydrofluorocarbons, (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride
(SF6).
Global warming keeps the planet warm and prevents warm air from
leaving the planet. The global warming potential (GWP) of natural greenhouse
gases are small as compared with that of other anthropogenic gases from the
burning of fossil fuels, power plants, transportation vehicles, and other industrial
processes. Man-made greenhouse gasses and cause adverse global warming.
Deforestation is also pointed at as a culprit to this adverse phenomenon.
When forest land is destroyed, CO2 is released into the air, thus increasing the
levels of long-wave radiation and trapped heat. Deforestation also affects
biodiversity because damage in the rainforest results in the destruction of
wildlife habitats.
Several effects of climate change are already felt and observed. One
example is the melting of ice caps in the polar regions of the Earth that causes

92
dilution of salt in the ocean and disruption of natural ocean currents. Ocean
currents control temperatures by bringing warmer currents into cooler areas
and cooler currents into warmer areas. Disruption of this activity can result in
extreme changes in temperature that may affect global or regional climate
patterns. The melting ice caps also affects albedo, the ratio of the light reflected
by any part of Earth’s atmosphere. Snow, with the highest albedo level, reflects
sunlight back into space making the Earth cooler. When snow melts, the Earth’s
temperature rises resulting in climate change.

The Greenhouse Effect

Changing wildlife adaptations and cycles is another effect of global
warming. For instance, spruce bark beetles in Alaska only appear on warmer
months, but since there is a rise in global temperatures, they started appeared
all year-round, chewing on spruce trees and thus leaving the forest damaged.
Polar bears are also decreasing in number because the melting of the polar ice
caps has caused them to starve and lose habitats. Melting ice caps can also
cause sea levels to rise which may greatly affect low-lying coastal areas where
large populations dwell.
Diseases have also spread due to climate change. Migration distances
for many migratory species greatly increased which can possibly displace
disease-carrying insects, crucial pollinators, and crop pests into new areas.
Greater distances also mean greater lengths to go to in order for animals to
survive.
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
A thin layer of ozone (O3) is maintained at the stratosphere as protection
from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Only a thin layer is needed because
when there is higher O3 concentration, meteorological parameters, i.e.,
temperature and wind, brings down O3 in the troposphere and causes
respiratory problems in human. In this case O3 becomes a criteria pollutant.
Ozone depletion occurring in the stratosphere therefore is a normal photolytic

93
process as well as O3 formation. The following reactions occur to maintain a
thin layer of O3.

O2 + UV (˂242 nm) → O + O (Equation 1)

O + O2 + M → O3 + M (Equation 2)

O3 + UV or visible → O + O2 (Equation 3)

Due to the presence of substance X, which are free radical catalysts

such as chlorine radical (Cl●) and bromine radical (Br●) coming from
substances made of chloroforms or bromine-based substances used as
aerosols, refrigerants, fire retardants, and the like, and nitric oxide radical
(NO●), and hydroxyl radical (OH●), which are naturally occurring, the ozone
formation and destruction is now represented as follows

X + O3 → XO + O2 (Equation 4)

XO + O2 → X + O2 (Equation 5)

O3 + O → O2 + O2 (Equation 6)

As an intermediate product, say X is Cl●, ClONO2 will produced. This substance

is inert and is deposited on both the northern and southern polar regions due
to winds as the Earth rotates. The problem occurs when the ClONO2 reservoirs
are exposed to direct sunlight when a part of the polar region experiences six
straight months of daytime, 24/7. The following reaction produce the obnoxious
Cl radical, which is very reactive to the point of destroying 100,000 molecules
of O3 in the stratosphere:

HOCl + hv → Cl + OH (Equation 7)

Cl + O3 → ClO + O2 (Equation 8)

OH + O3 → HO2 + O2 (Equation 9)

2O → 3O2 (Equation 10)

ClO + HO2 → HOCl + O2 (Equation 11)

HOCl + hv → Cl + OH (Equation 12)

The worst case will occur if the available X is Br, which is 100 times more
reactive than Cl (Rownland,2006).
Although a direct relationship exists between global warming and
stratospheric ozone depletion, the correlation on the greenhouse gases as they

94
contribute to creating the cooling conditions in the atmosphere may lead to
ozone depletion.
Acid Deposition
When SO2x and NO2x react with particulate matters (dry) or with water
vapor (wet), acid deposition occurs which causes surface water acidification
and affects soil chemistry. At pH levels lower than 5, acid deposition may affect
the fertilization of fish eggs, and can kill adult fishes. As lakes and rivers become
highly acidic, biodiversity is reduced. Many soil organisms cannot survive if the
pH level of soil is below 6. Death of microorganisms because of acid deposition
can inhibit decomposition and nutrient recycling because of the enzymes of
these microbes are denatured by the acid or are changed in shape so they no
longer function. Deposition of sulfur and nitrogen oxides affects the ability of
leaves to reaction water under stress. The low pH level of soil also allows the
rapid mobility of heavy metals present in the soil,.i.e., Pb² +, Cu²+, and Al3+, and
thus, contaminates growing plants, which may then bioaccumulate the heavy
metal concentration as it is passed from a higher trophic level to another. As
these impacts affect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, it is also imperative to
examine the connection between acid deposition and climate change (Mihelcis,
2014).
Thermal Inversion
The major component of photochemical smog, peroxylacetyl nitrate
(PAN), is a combination of different criteria pollutants, PAN is a transporter of
NOx intro rural regions and causes ozone formation in the global troposphere,
which can decrease visibility especially in elevated places. The pollutants that
come from sources (i.e., industrial chimney or stack) mix with air. The mixed air
normally rises to the atmosphere. In a normal cycle of thermal inversion, an
unstable air mass and air constantly flow between warm and cool areas. This
allows fumigation of the mixed air on a higher elevation. Due to increased
concentrations of pollutants during an inversion episode, temperatures
increase with increasing altitude and this disrupts the movement of the mixed
air to a higher level since the warm inversion layer then acts as a cap or a layer
that forms stable air masses. Thermal inversion is also affected by weather
conditions, or it may also occur in some coastal areas because of the upwelling
of cold water that lowers surface air temperature. Topography or man-made
barriers like high-rise buildings can also create a temperature inversion. The
cold air may be blocked by these barriers and then pushed under the warmer
air rising from the source, thus creating the inversion. Freezing rain or ice
storms develop in some areas with a temperature inversion in a cold area
because snow melts as it moves through the warm inversion layer. The rain
continues to fall and passes through the cold layer of air near the ground. As it
moves through this final cold air mass, it becomes “super-cooled” drops, cooled
below freezing point without becoming solid. Intense thunderstorms and
tornadoes are also associated with inversions because of the intense energy
released after an inversion blocks the normal convection patterns of a region.

95
(ThoughtCo.). Thermal inversion profiles lead sea surface temperature to
decrease on the seasonal time scale via heat exchange at the bottom of the
mixed layer, which balances climatological atmospheric cooling in fall and
winter (Nagura et al., 2015).
El Niño is a normal climate pattern that describes the unusual warming
of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean also known as the “warm
phase”. The opposite of it is La Niña the “cool phase” which is a pattern that
describes the unusual cooling of the surface waters of the region. These
phenomena are supposed to occur perennial and globally, on one end of the
equator and on the other. However, abnormalities in the occurrences of these
phenomena cause widespread and severe changes in the climate. Rainfall
increases drastically in Ecuador and Northern Peru, contributing to coastal
flooding and erosion due to the convection above warm surface waters.
Increased rains bring floods that may destroy properties. On the other side of
the world, El Niño brings drought that threaten the supply of water and
destruction of crops affecting agriculture. Stronger El Niño and La Niña event
also disrupt global atmospheric circulation bringing cold winters, unusually
heavy rains and flooding in desert areas, and other weather abnormalities
(New/Floods, 2016).
Aside from the physical damages caused by disasters, they also come
with mental and emotional damage. Victims of disasters may suffer from
trauma, depression, or anxiety because of experiencing loss caused by
disasters. This is why climate change should not be perceived as an isolated
issue—it affects may aspects of human life.

APPLICATION

After learning about climate change, what natural processes and human
activities causes it and the possible consequences brought about this
phenomenon, the question that comes next is, as a concerned citizen and a
student, what can you do about it? What ways can you think of to mitigate the
hazards caused by climate change?
And so here are some amazing activities prepared for you. Have fun!
Activity 1: Nature’s Advocates
A. Form groups of 5 and create an infomercial showing how community can
help mitigate the hazards caused by climate change. Each group must choose
one from the given areas below that are affected by climate change. A rubric is
prepared below to rate your performance. You have 15 minutes to
conceptualize, and 2 – 3 minutes to present your output. Enjoy acting!
1. Agriculture and Food Security
2. Economy
3. Biodiversity

96
 4. Health
5. Geography and Ocean ecology
6. Climatic patterns

B. Retaining your group in activity A, create an advocacy campaign by making

a poster and a slogan that tells how community will help mitigate the effects of
climate change. Upload your work in social media, and try to elicit comments
from the viewers.

Topic 11: ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Learning Objectives
At the end of this topic, students will be able to:
1. Identify the causes of climate change
2. Assess the various impacts of climate change including economic,
geopolitical, biological, meteorological, etc.
3. Apply STS concepts to the issue of climate change

PRESENTATION OF CONTENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
One of the main culprits of climate change is increasing CO 2 presence
in the atmosphere, coming from industrial and mobile sources. Shifting from
fossil fuels as sources of energy to renewable energy resources, (e.g., solar,
wind, or hydropower) is one way to decrease the generation of CO 2. spaces that
need air conditioning or heating should be sealed to ensure adequate and
energy efficiency. When buying appliances, such as refrigerators, washing
machines and the like, it is recommended to buy those that are tagged as
energy efficient. Water consumption should also be lessened since pumping
and heating water also uses up energy. Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs are
ideal to use because they lessen up to 80% of energy consumption compared
with incandescent bulbs. Using fuel-efficient vehicles with higher fuel economy
performance is another way to lessen fuel economy performance is another
way to lessen fossil fuel consumption (Denchack, 2017). There are many ways
to minimize he effects of climate change. Environmental efforts to address
climate change should be done individually collectively. Since the environment
is contiguous, the responsibility to care for it should also be shared not only
locally but also regionally and globally. Countries should come together to adopt
protocols and agreements so to help each other solve climate change.

97
 Light Bulb energy saving statistics.
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that extends the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in which
Philippines is one of the signatories. This protocol commits each signatory or
member by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. This was
adopted in 1997, but the first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in
2012. In order to be sustainable without jeopardizing the need of energy for
economic growth, developed countries committed to cut their CO2 emissions by
2% up until 2050 to help address the problem of climate change. It is estimated
that by 2050, the world will have an approximate 80% reduction on CO 2
emissions (Pacala, 2009).
The Montreal Protocol is another global agreement set to protect the
stratospheric ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of
ozone depleting substances (ODS). The protocol aims to help the ozone layer
recuperate from the hole it has attained due to increasing presence of ODS in
the atmosphere. It is signed by 197 countries including the Philippines (USEPA,
2017).

Disaster Risk Management

When the Philippines was struck by typhoon Haiyan (locally called
typhoon Yolanda) in November 2013, the death toll reached 6,340. Many
blamed the lack of disaster risk reduction efforts for the extreme damages the
typhoon brought to the country, especially in the regions where the typhoon
made a landfall. The government was also blamed for the lack of or weak
evacuation plans in different localities. In Tacloban, Leyte, government aid was
slow. Many resorted to looting shops, and cadavers were strewn all over the
city. Because of the extent of the damage, the city was not easily reachable
which made the distribution of relief goods difficult. However, with a proper

98
disaster risk reduction management plan, the destructive effects of the typhoon
could have been reduced if not avoided.
What happened to Tacloban during typhoon Haiyan is an example of why
disaster risk management plans should be established. With the coming of
more intense typhoons because of climate change and with the geographical
vulnerability of the Philippines to a number of typhoons every year, it is
important for the country to establish measures to mitigate the effects of natural
disasters for the benefit of the citizens. In the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan, the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (NDRRMP) of the
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) of the
Philippines for 2011-2018 was revisited and prioritized. This is a plan that
guides the country on how sustainable development can be achieved through
inclusive growth while building the adaptive capacities of communities,
increasing the resilience of vulnerable sectors, and optimizing disaster
mitigation opportunities with the end in view of promoting people’s welfare and
security. It aims to strengthen the capacity of the national government and the
local government units (LGUs), together with partner stakeholders, to build the
disaster resilience of communities and to institutionalize arrangements and
measures for disaster risks, including projected climate risks and enhancing
disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels.

SUMMARY
The last module of Science, Technology and Society discussed the special
topics that would allow you to reflect on the role of science and technology not
only in the community where you are living but to the whole world.

99
The advent of information age has played a big role in cascading vital
information to the society. With the advance technological devices like
computers, laptops, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, servers,
mainframes and internet that lets us access social media and online resources,
and even microchips and other high technologies, the life that we are living
today is easy. Information age has affected and transformed the lives we have.
From communicating through simple ways like papyrus, letter writing etc., we
have shifted to calling through mobile phones, sending files through email,
chatting with our love ones through video calls, etc. Highly modernized,
automated, data-driven and technologically advanced-these is how we
describe our society nowadays. This era of our life offers us a lot for the
development of noble researchers but it also entails responsible use. You must
learn how to check the reliability of the sources you are accessing before
dissemination for those information poses both positive and negative impacts.
You must always consider that the information you share could be of great help
to our lives and others.
Advances in science and technology have also affected our biodiversity. Some
efforts have been made by the government to conserve all species. Threats like
habitat loss and destruction, alterations in ecosystem composition, over-
exploitation, pollution, contamination, and global climate change has cause
drastic decrease in the population of species all over the world. The decrease
has led to environment-related illnesses, nutritional, health and biological
problems. Together we must be all biodiversity savers to have a better
environment.
Scientist has made advances in technology through the field of nanotechnology.
Through this, products can be manufactures to help improve health,
environment, food, water, and agriculture. Though this field promises a lot, you
must take into account the social, ethical, and environmental concerns of using
such.
Another breakthrough in science is gene therapy. Gene therapy is a method
that may treat or cure genetic related human illness. As this science flourish,
many ethical issues were raised. Thus, as a future researcher, you must be
able to distinguish what is vital if you wished to venture in the field of
nanotechnology.
Climate change is a worldwide issue that each of us must face. Several factors
like natural processes and persistent human activities have statistically
increased the percentage of climate change for a period of time. The continuous
climate change has affected the biotic and abiotic aspects of the earth.

100
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