Lesson 10: The Information Age: Current
Issues in Social Media
• The most important technological
advancement of the new millennium is the
rise of social media. Social media
websites and applications are designed to
facilitate the creation and exchange of
information in a virtual space.
• Through social media, people can easily
access any type of information they need and
want through the
different gadgets at their convenience.
The Gutenberg Press was one of the most
cost- effective inventions created during the
Renaissance period.
- because people were able to print hundreds
of book copied at a fast rate.
Through it, information spread at a cheaper
and faster rate, thus, making it more
accessible to the public.
The Rise of Social Media
• Invention of the personal computer in the
1970s
• The rise of social media was first seen in the
popularization of Friendster in 2002, followed
by Myspace in 2003
and was taken over by Facebook in 2004.
• These sites act as platforms that people use
to talk and interact with each other without
the limitations of time
and space.
The ever - increasing presence of social
media is clearly felt in society.
• Noyes (2020) estimated that there are 2.74
billion active Facebook users worldwide
as of October 2020 and the Philippines alone
accounts to 74 million Facebook users
Different social media platforms for various
purposes.
 Social media currently plays a large role in
the advertising industry.
 Social media can also help people
engage in political matters.
 Share experiences with
others with similar interests.
 Social media is ultimately used as a
means for leisure
 Information dissemination of important
current news
SOCIAL MEDIA RISK
1. Privacy and identity
Theft- to make an account in social
networking sites, a user is
requires to divulge basic personal
information.
2. Cyberbullying- RA. No. 10175
3. Sexual abuse online- Among the teenagers
who engaged in
online dating or cyberdating, 6% reported
that they were sent
threatening messages. In addition, 6% to 8%
reported being
pressured to send sexual photos or engage in
sexual acts.
T- True
H- Hurtful
I- Illegal
N- Necessary
K-Kind
Lesson 11: Biodiversity and a Healthy Society
Biological diversity or
biodiversity is defined as
the variability among living
organisms in the terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic
resources of the planet.
Three levels of biodiversity
1. Species diversity is the heterogeneity or
the number of living species (abundance) in
a given region or habitat.
Species: group of organism that have the
capacity to interbreed.
Habitat: place where different species live.
A current estimate of the number of species
of the world
varies from 5 million to nearly 100 million.
There are 1.7
million that have been identified to date. A
complete list of
species is difficult to obtain, as many
organisms, such as
fungi, protozoans and bacteria have not been
identified.
2. Genetic diversity describes the differences
of organisms in the genetic level. It describes
the difference
of genetic make- up within organisms
belonging to the same species.The extent of
variation among species is dependent in
various factors such as mutation and
environmental causes.
3. Ecosystem diversity refers to the variation
in ecosystems within a region or habitat.
Ecosystem is defined as a biological
community that includes all living things
(animals, plants and
microorganisms) interacting with the non- • Twenty thousand species of plants and
living components of the environment such animals were recorded to be existing in the
as weather, climate, Philippines
soil, sun and air in a specific habitat. and half of those are not found in any other
country.
• There are roughly 7,620 species of plants
TYPES OF BIOMES documented in the country, 5382 of which
are
presumes to be endemic.
1. AQUATIC BIOME • Given this, The Philippines ranked 23rd in
the world and 6th in Southeast Asia in terms
 Marine of
plant diversity.
 Fresh Water • The Philippines is also ranked 4th in terms
of bird endemism and 5th in terms of
 Estuares mammalian
and reptilian endemism.
• Approximately 33% of flora, 75% of
2. GRASSLAND BIOME amphibians, 70% of reptiles and 44% of birds
are endemic
in the Philippine archipelago.
 Temperate • 40 species of mammals that are only found
in the country such as the smallest water
 Savanna buffalo,
the world’s largest rat and the world’s largest
and smallest bats
3. FOREST BIOME

 Temperaate Forest Biodiversity Loss

 Tropical Forest
Humans greatly benefit from the
 Taiga or Boreal Forest environment and the planet’s
biodiversity. Biodiversity provides human
resources such as
4. DESERT BIOME water, food, medicine, energy source, flood
control mechanism
 Sahara and oxygen.
• Edward O. Wilson, an American
 Antartica evolutionary biologist, predicted
that the planet loses approximately 27,000
species per year, he
5. TUNDRA BIOME based his estimate on the rapid
disappearance of ecosystems and
destruction of biomes, particularly tropical
The world’s richest habitat, in forests and
terms of species diversity, is the grasslands.
tropical rain forest.It only consists • Wilson and many other biologists believed
7% of the world’s surface but that the next mass
contains 50 to 70% of all the extinction will not result from a physical
plants and animals in the world. disaster but from the
disruption and destruction of the ecosystem
caused by the human
The Philippine Biodiversity Race.
The Philippines is regarded as one of the 17
mega diverse countries in the world because Biodiversity Loss
of its rich diversity and endemicity of species.
The primary cause of environmental
degradation is the increase in human
• It is considered the smallest of the 17 Population
mega-diverse countries of the world covering
only Overpopulation which is associated
2/100 of the total land area of the earth. industrialization
and agriculture, mining, fishing,
deforestation,
environmental pollution and exploitation of
biodiversity leads to the destruction of
different
species habitat.
The introduction of exotic species, poaching
of wildlife and technological developments
are also causes of
biodiversity loss because these activities
interfere with the natural order of the
existing ecosystems.
The development of technology has both
positive and negative effects on biodiversity
and
society.
From the agricultural revolution to the
present, technology has played a role in the
changes happening to the ecosystems,
habitats and biodiversity. Forest were cleared
to give way to build different infrastructures.
Illegal logging proliferated
because of the value seen in timber in the
construction of buildings and furniture and
also for cooking and heating. Trees,
which absorbs carbon dioxide are being cut
endlessly which causes further climate
change. Pollutants such as excessive
chemical fertilizers used in farms
contaminated the water, soil and
atmosphere. Factories and industrial plants
release green
house gases, nitrogen, sulfur oxides and
other noxious chemicals that further worsens
air pollution and green house effect.
The destruction of the environment may also
cause mental distress among humans.
Depression and emotional stress may
be caused by destruction of property, habitat
and the surrounding landscape. Pollution can
adversely affect one’s health
and well -being as well.
HABITAT LOSS AND DISTURBANCE
Both natural factors and human activities can
disturb or destroy habitats.
Natural disasters such as severe storms,
tornadoes, and
hurricanes can uproot trees; the erosion that
comes
with landslides and flooding can transform
large areas,
causing dramatic changes to soil and
vegetation, with
cascading effects on wildlife
HABITAT LOSS AND DISTURBANCE
Habitat destruction due to human activities
can cause serious
and long-term degradation of both terrestrial
and aquatic
habitats. Some of these activities do not
remove actual habitat
but produce changes in the quality of these
areas; pollution
and invasive species are two common
examples. New home
and road construction in natural areas can
divide natural
populations that need to roam the area freely
to find food and
mates.
Pressures to Biodiversity
Habitat destruction
Alternation or complete destruction of
natural habitats is major factor that impacts
biodiversity. The way humans
rapidly alter the ecosystem can decrease
species diversity and may cause species
extinction.
Invasive or alien species introduction
Alien species are non- natural or foreign
species that do not naturally thrive in a
particular area. The introduction
of non- indigenous species to an area can
cause species diversity to decline, as there
species are often invasive and
may compete for resources such as food and
space. They are often characterized with high
reproductive rates and
may outnumber natural and endemic species.
High population density and growth rates
The continuous increase in human population
increases the demand for supply and
resources. The conversion of
land for food production and human
habitation causes biodiversity loss. Products
and services from natural
ecosystem may be exploited.
Climate change
Climate change is the direct and dominant
driver of biodiversity loss. According to the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,
50% of Asia’s coral reefs are at risk secondary
to the effects of climate change. ASEAN
countries are predicted to be the most
vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Illegal wildlife trade

According to ASEAN -WEN (Wildlife
Enforcement Network), 100 million animals
One of the most controversial issues in
are being haunted for their
science and technology is the introduction of
meat. Illegal wildlife trade which directly
genetically modified seeds in
reduces biodiversity is valued at $10 to 20
the agriculture sector that resulted un
billion.
increased crop yield.

✔ Resistance to certain plant diseases,

Deficiencies in the knowledge on biodiversity
calamities such as drought and pests
Public awareness and education on the
resiliency
importance of biodiversity are necessary to
conserve it. Raising
✔ Improved crop characteristics
consciousness among individuals and
communities may help in addressing threats
to the Earth’s biodiversity
Increased crop yield, pest resistance and
and improving natural ecosystem.
other benefits of
GMOs are indeed advantageous yet there are
also
Inadequate enforcement of environmental
disadvantages that needed to be studied
laws and poor political will
more closely.
Regulations, policies and laws have been
enacted to preserve the environment,
however, they are not properly
In 1982, the US Supreme Court rules to allow
enforced.
patenting of GMOs. This relish allowed the
Exxon Oil company to start
using microorganisms that can consume oil.
Lesson 12: Genetically Modified Organism
(GMOs) and Gene
Therapy

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
crossbreed to produced another kind of
species that do not naturally occur in the
environment.
In 1973, Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen
were the first scientist to genetically modify
and organism by combining the
genes of two different E. coli, a species of
microorganism

In 1982, the Food and Drug Administration

(FDA)
approves the first GMO - Humulin, a type of
insulin
produced using genetically modified 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, the FDA approved the Flavr Savr
tomato by the Calgene Inc. for sale on
grocery stores. This kind of
tomato has delayed ripening effect which in
return has longer shelf life compared to
naturally grown tomatoes.
In 1995, Bt Potatoes and Corn and Roundup
Ready Soybeans were approved safe by the
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
Roundup Ready crops are products of the
Monsanto company that are genetically
designed to be resistant to glyphosate, the
main
ingredient of the Round up, a chemical weed
killer.
In 1996, Dolly the sheep, the first cloned
animal, was born.
Dolly, female Finn Dorset sheep that lived
from 1996 to 2003, the first clone of an adult
mammal, produced by British developmental
biologist Ian Wilmut and colleagues of the
Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh, Scotland.
In 1997, the European Union ruled in favor of
mandatory labeling on all GMO food
products, including animal feeds
In 1998, a genetically modified papaya in
Hawaii was found to be resistant to Ring spot
virus and produced the
Bacillus thurengensis toxin, a bacterium that
has no toxic effects to humans but are
documented to affect some
insects when ingested.
Starting 1999, over 100 million acres
worldwide are planted with genetically
 In 2006, Yorkshire pigs (Enviropigs) were
genetically modified to produce offsprings
that produced the enzyme phytase in their
saliva to digest plant phosphorus.

In 2001, a research in eastern Quebec found

Bt toxins in the blood of pregnant women
and showed evidence that the toxin could
passed on to the babies.

As early as 2013, corn and poplars were

genetically modified and used to produced
biofuels, which is regarded as an
efficient substitute for petroleum products.

In 2000, golden rice was developed in the

Philippines to
address vitamin A deficiency. Golden rice is a
variety of
rice wherein its rice grains are genetically
modified to
biosynthesize beta carotene, a precursor of
vitamin A. The
introduction of golden rice was opposed by
the
environmental and anti- globalization
advocates because To date, the production and consumption of
this GMO was thought to compromise food GMOs are being argued upon due to their
production, safety alongside the right of human to modify
nutrition and financial security. naturally occurring organisms. New
organisms created using genetic engineering
can pose ecological issues because the long-
term effects of genetic engineering to the
environment is uncertain. GMOs may cause
imbalance in the ecology of a region just as
what alien species do. An accident in
genetically engineering a virus or bacteria for
example, could result in super bacteria that
display antimicrobial resistance, which may
cause serious epidemic when released.

In 2003, a Bt- toxin- resistant caterpillar-

cum- moth, Helicoverpa zea, was found
feasting on GMO Bt cotton crops in the
Southern US. This proves that animals and
insects may become resistant to GMOs in a
long run.
GENE THERAPHY
Gene therapy is at the method of inserting
genes or nucleic acid into cells as a drug to
treat genetic diseases. In 1972, Theodore
Friedman and Richard Robin proposed that
people with genetic disorders can be treated
by replacing defective DNA with good DNA.

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 permanent genetic change was
performed.
Stem cell therapy
Stem cell therapy, also known as regenerative
medicine, promotes the repair response of
diseased,
dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem
cells or their derivatives. It is the next chapter
in organ
transplantation and uses cells instead of
donor organs, which are limited in supply.

The first commercial gene therapy product

Gendicine was approved in China in 2003 for
the treatment of head and neck squamous
cell carcinoma. The gene therapy product is
an adenovirus vector carrying the p53
tumour-suppressor gene. 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 (CMPHU) of the European
Medicines Agency (EMA)
endorsed the gene therapy treatment called
Strimvelis that was approved by the
European Commission in June 2018.
Strimvelis is use to to treat patients with a
very rare disease called ADA-SCID (Severe
Combined Immunodeficiency
due to Adenosine Deaminase deficiency)
Some studies transplanted genes to speed up
destruction of cancer cells. Gene or cell
therapies have emerged as
realistic prospects for the treatment of
cancer and involved the delivery of genetic
information to a tumor to
facilitate the production go therapeutic
proteins. This area of gene therapy still needs
further studies before an
efficient and safe gene therapy procedure is
adopted (With et al., 2013).
Ethical 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 is Is unethical for humans to have an
hand in genetically altering
and engineering organisms. There are
instances when genetic engineering have
caused severe repercussions to
public health. Until today, cloning is still
unacceptable to many for it violates the
belief that only higher being
should be responsible for the existence of
organisms on earth. There are also ethical
and moral issues on stem cell therapy as it
makes use of stem cells sources from human
embryos. These concerns regarding genetic
engineering and gene therapy are rooted in
the question of whether or not humans are
playing gods in the alternation of genes of
organisms.

Genetic engineering also poses problems in

agriculture. Hence, there is a need to study
the ecological implications of genetically
engineered crops and plants as well as the
weeds, insects and humans consuming or
directly in contact with these materials or
products. 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
Lesson 13: The Nanoworld
How small is “nano”
Nanotechnology deals with the very smallest
components of our world – atoms and
molecules. Trying to understand just how
small the nanoscale is can be very difficult for
people. A nanometer is a unit of
measurement for length just as you have
with meters and centimeters. A nanometer is
one billionth of a meter, 0.000000001 or 10-9
meters. The word nano comes from the
Greek word for “dwarf.” The term nanoscale
is used to refer to objects with dimensions on
the order of 1-100 nanometers (nm).
What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is defined by the US
Foresight Institute as an “emerging
technology in which the structure of matter is
controlled at the nanometer to produce a
novel materials and device that have useful
and unique properties
Nanotechnology simply means technology
with the dimensions of less than 100
nanometers.
Nanoscience studies the phenomena,
properties and responses of materials at
atomic, molecular and macromolecular
scales.
The use of nanotechnology dates back to as
early as the 4th century AD. There are
evidence that Romans used nanomaterials to
decorate glasses and cups, even the stained
glass windows in churches were made of
nanoparticles from gold and silver
Richard Feymann was a Nobel Prize winning
physicist.
The American physicist and Nobel Prize
laureate Richard Feynman introduce the
concept of nanotechnology in 1959
He is considered the father of modern
nanotechnology.
Norio Taniguchi, a Japanese scientist
was the first to use and define the
term “nanotechnology” in 1974 as:
“nanotechnology mainly consists of
the processing of separation,
consolidation, and deformation of
materials by one atom or one
Molecule
In the 1980s, two important microscopes
were invented to further study nano
materials:
The scanning tunneling microscope (STM)
works by scanning a very sharp metal wire
tip over a surface. By bringing the tip very
close to the surface, and by applying an
electrical voltage to the tip or sample.
Atomic force microscope (AFM) is an
influential surface analysis technique used for
micro/nanostructured coatings. This flexible
technique can be used to obtain high-
resolution nanoscale images
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a
powerful technique that enables the imaging
of almost any type of surface, including
polymers, ceramics, composites, glass and
biological samples. AFM is used to measure
and localize many different forces, including
adhesion strength, magnetic forces and
mechanical properties.
Two approaches in Nanotechnology
Top-down approach is essentially the
breaking down of bulk material to get nano-
sized particles. This can be achieved by using
advanced techniques such as precision
engineering and lithography which have been
developed and optimized by industry during
recent decades.
Top- down approach is device
miniaturization in the electronics industry,
from microelectronics to nano electronics.
▪ Bottom-up approach refers to the build-up
of nanostructures from the bottom: atom-by-
atom or molecule-by-molecule by physical
and chemical methods which are in a
nanoscale range (1 nm to 100 nm) using
controlled manipulation of self-assembly of
atoms and molecules.
Bottom- up approach, on the other hand, is
when the material creates itself, such as
chemical synthesis in the process of making
thin polymers fibers.
Applications of Nanotechnology
In the medical field, nanotechnology is used
in drug delivery techniques, particularly using
dendrimers, a kind of nonmaterial. This is a
type of nanostructure that can be designed
and manufactures to carry different materials
that can recognized diseased cells, diagnose
diseases, deliver drugs and report
therapy outcomes.
gold nano shells are capable of delivering
toxic doses of two drugs, lapatinib and
docetaxel, inside breast cancer cells. Utilizing
gold nano shells in the treatment of cancer
could also result in less side effects.
▪ In first aid, a bandage that is waterproof,
elastic and able to
dissolve in the skin over time was developed
by the MIT led
by Karp and Langer.
▪ Nanoscale titanium dioxide photocatalysis
has antibacterial effects
that can be applied to air and water
treatment, anti-fogging and
self- cleaning.
▪ Nanofilms can also be used in thin films to
make them waterrepellant, anti- reflective,
ultraviolet, infrared- resistant and
scratch resistant.
Challenges in Nanotechnology
▪ Carbon nanotubes used in the manufacture
of memory storage, electronics, batteries,
etc. were also found to have unknown
harmful impacts to the human body by
inhalation into lungs
The environmental effect of mineral- based
nanoparticles found in cosmetics, paints,
clothing and other products are questioned
as they go through sewage treatments plants
untreated due to their undetectable size.
Ethical Dilemma of Nanotechnology
With the identified potential hazards that
nanoparticles can bring to human health and
the environment, should people disregard
the benefits that nanotechnology provide
them?
The ability to tailor the core structures of
materials at the nanoscale to achieve specific
properties is at the heart of nanotechnology.
A few examples of current nanotechnology
include the following
FOOD SECURITY
Nanosensors in packaging can detect
salmonella and other contaminants in
food.
MEDICINE
▪ The potential for nanotechnology to
improve
drug-delivery systems for a range of diseases
including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and
other age-related illnesses is an area of
intense research for scientists.
▪ Other exciting developments include the
possibility of using nanotechnology to
increase the growth of nerve cells (for
example in a damaged brain or spinal cord),
and using nanofibres to help regenerate
damaged spinal nerves (currently being
tested on mice)
ENERGY
Nanotechnology is being used in a range
of energy areas—to improve the
efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar
panels, create new kinds of batteries,
improve the efficiency of fuel production
using better catalysis, and create better
lighting systems.
AUTOMOTIVE
Nanoengineered materials are in a range of
products including high-power rechargeable
batteries, fuel additives, fuel cells and
improved catalytic converters, which produce
cleaner exhaust for longer periods.

ENVIRONMENT
Researchers are developing nanostructured
filters that can remove virus cells and other
impurities from water, which may ultimately
help create clean, affordable and abundant
drinking water.A nanofabric paper towel,
which can absorb 20 times its weight in oil,
can be used for oil-spill clean-up operations.

ELECTRONICS
Many new screen-based appliances (TVs,
phones, iPads and so on) incorporate
nanostructured polymer films known as
organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). These
screens are brighter, lighter and have a better
picture quality, among other things.
Climate change is defined as a global or
regional change in the climatic patterns
TEXTILES
brought upon by the increase in atmospheric
Nanoscale additives in fabrics help resist
carbon dioxide.
staining, wrinkling and bacteria growth

COSMETICS
Nanoscale materials in a range of cosmetics
provide functions such as improved coverage,
absorption or cleansing.

Lesson 14: Climate Change and

Environmental Awareness

Weather is defined as short- term changes in

atmospheric variables such as the
temperature, precipitation, winds and
barometric pressure in a given area over a
period of hours or days.

Climate, on the other hand, is determined by

the
average weather conditions of the Earth or of
a
particular area, particularly temperature and
precipitation, over a period of time. There are
five
climate groups: tropical, dry, mild,
continental, and Polar.
Global warming refers to the upward
temperature trend across the entire Earth
Carbon dioxide is said to be natural absorber
of heat. The heat it absorbs is very important
for survival for it keeps our planet warm.
Additionally, if there is normal or lesser
amounts of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere, the radiation or heat coming
from the sun, is normally bounced back to
the atmosphere, However, if too much
carbon dioxide is present, together with
other greenhouse gases, the heat trapping
ability of our atmosphere will increased, thus,
increasing surface temperature will also
occur. This increase heat trapping abilities are
what is now known as climate
change.
Melting polar ice caps
POOR QUALITY OF LIFE

Black carbon

Kyoto Protocol

International agreement that extends the

United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCC)
This protocols commits each signatory or
member by setting internationally binding
Rising Sea Levels
emission reduction targets.

Developed countries committed to cut their

CO2 emissions by up to 2% 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 CO2 emission
(Pacala, 2009).
Resurfacing of diseases
EXTREME WEATHER CONDITION Montreal Protocol

Global agreement set to protect the

stratospheric ozone layer by
phasing out the production and
consumption of ozone depleting
substance (ODS).

The protocol aims to help the ozone

layer recuperate from the hole it
has attained due to the increasing
presence of ODS in the
atmosphere. It is signed by 197
countries including the Philippines
(USEPA, 2017).

The Philippines on Environmental

Awareness

Republic Act 7942, also known as the

Philippine Mining Act of 1995. This law aims
to protect the environment by regulating the
extraction of mineral resources by mining
companies while expanding foreign
investments and increasing mining output.

Republic Act 8749, known as the Philippine

Clean Air Act of 1999. This law aims to reduce
pollution by incorporating environmental
protection into developmental plans.
Likewise, it sets emission standards for motor
vehicles and pollutant limitations for different
industries.

Republic Act 9512, known as the National

Environmental Awareness and Education Act
of 2008. This law requires different
government agencies in the field of education
to promote environmental awareness in the
curriculum.

Republic Act 10176 an act reviving the S

observance of arbor day by authorizing the MANAGE E-WASTE
local government units the responsibilities for
celebrating the day for tree planting as an
annual event

RESPONSIBLE TOURIST

GREEN INFASTRUCTURE