Description

• discussions linking historical and philosophical concepts to

the development of specific S&T issues and their respective
impacts to society
• S&T issues include:
• Information Age
• Biodiversity and Health
• Gene Therapy and Genetically Modified Organisms
(GMO’s)
• Nanotechnology
• Climate Change and Environmental Awareness
• NOTE: Other current issues related to STS may be
discussed but the topics enumerated above should be
prioritized since these are the most controversial topics
that involve not only local but regional and even global
concerns.
 CHAPTER 3
• UNIT 4
 Chapter Objectives
At the end of this chapter, the learners must be able
to link historical and philosophical concepts and their
respective impacts to the development of specific
S&T issues such as:
1. Information Age
2. Biodiversity and Health
3. Gene Therapy and Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMO’s)
4. Nanotechnology
5. Climate Change and Environmental Awareness
6. other current issues
 Contents
Unit 1. Information Age
• discusses the development of the information age and its impact on society
• provides activities that illustrate how the social media and the information age have impacted our
lives
Unit 2. Biodiversity and the Healthy Society
• determines the relationship of society, environment, and health
Unit 3. Gene Therapy and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
• describes gene therapy and its various forms
• discusses ethics and implications of GMOs and their potential future impacts
Unit 4. Nanotechnology
• determines the major impacts (both potential and realized) of Nanotechnology on society
• analyzes the issues through the conceptual STS lenses and issues are critiqued based on costs
and benefits to society
Unit 5. Climate Change and Environmental Awareness
• identifies the causes of climate change and assesses the various impacts of climate change
including economic, geopolitical, biological, meteorological, etc.
• Environmental awareness is inculcated to the students on the context of local, regional and
global efforts i.e. the international agreement among signatory countries of Cartagena Principle
which focuses on disaster preparedness
NANOTECHNOLOGY
 Unit 4: Nanotechnology

This unit:
1. discusses the antecedents of
nanotechnology and discusses both its
positive and adverse impacts on environment
and society.
2. illustrates how nanotechnology affected our
lives individually and as society.
 Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this Unit, students are expected to

demonstrate the following:

1. To be able to determine the antecedents of

nanotechnology and try to establish its
importance to us individually and as a society
2. To be able to differentiate the positive and the
adverse impacts on the environment and on
the society in order to identify points of
improvements on specific nanotechnology
applications
Diagnostics: Learning Checkpoint

Instruction:

Answer the following:

 Discussion
• Nanotechnology
• is the branch of technology that deals with
dimensions and tolerances of less than 100
nanometers, especially the manipulation of
individual atoms and molecules
• also the study and application that can be used
across all the other science fields, such as
chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and
engineering
• It is ‘convergent’ because it brings together sectors
of science that were previously separated e.g.
(deoxyribonucleic acid) DNA silicon chips,
Nanotechnology on red converging between semiconductor science
blood cells (RBC) (inorganic chemistry) and biology, with applications
www.ediblecomputerchips.com in the medical industry.
 Discussion
• To decipher how nanotechnology works, three
dimensions must be considered:
1. tangible objects which include materials, devices
and system
2. passive, static objects i.e. nanoparticles that have
properties different to bulk objects even if they
have the same composition; the active devices
i.e. those that can store information, induce
energy or change its state; and the nanofacture
which refers to atomically precise manufacturing
(APM) i.e. collection of instruments and
procedures
Nanofacture 3. direct nanotechnology which refers to materials
www.wahington.edu
structured at nanoscale components
 Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢In medicine
• more effective drugs for conditions such as high blood pressure
• assisted by the view of these molecules afforded by X-ray lasers
• simulate biological mechanisms to monitor a cancer cell
• simulate biological mechanisms to monitor a cancer cell while it
is treated by drug-bearing nanoparticles
• “nanobots” - molecular-scale workers that can employ
molecular processes within cells which eventually 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, etc. with screening devices
using nanotechnology (AZoNanotechnology, 2004).
 Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢Water purification systems
• with nanomaterials and utilizing new membrane technologies
with variable pore sizes as filters i.e. the forward-osmosis
membrane technology of Hydration Technologies are now
available (Prashant et al, 2005).
• Nanoparticles are also used to prepare heat-resistant and self-
cleaning surfaces, such as floors and benchtops
• Nanoparticles of silicon dioxide or titanium dioxide can also make
a surface repel water, which prevents stains. Detergent
molecules self-assemble into a sphere to form a micelle that
allows the detergent to traps oils and fats within the cavity of the
sphere that eventually aids washing.
• Zeolites are silicon oxide and aluminium oxide that have specific
nanoporous cage-like structures allowing it to absorb molecules
i.e. heavy metals and compounds that cause odor (Shearer,
2016).
 Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢In agriculture
• novel techniques of nanotechnology applications are applied to
breed crops with higher levels of micronutrients, to detect pest,
and to control processing of food (Hechman, 2005)
• Ultra-small probes on earth surfaces for agricultural applications
and control of soil, air, and water contamination are also
developed by nanotechnology (Zhang et al, 2011).
• For contamination of Arsenic in soil and water, a simple and
cheap but effective way of removing the contaminant with TiO2
nanoparticles. (Pena et al, 2005).
• Availability of a nanotechnology inspired detector from
Washington, which can sense the smallest amount of radiation,
made the detection of a nuclear leak faster and more accurate at
the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Zhang et al, 2011).
 Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢In agriculture
• Chlorinated compounds i.e. chlorinated solvents and pesticides
and 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 with iron filings [Fe(0)] (Dayrit et al, 2008).
• Bio nanotechnology provides feasible solutions e.g. support of
cleaner production methods, provision of alternative and
renewable energy sources, and source reduction into the
manufacturing process (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 catalysts are smaller in sizes yet
increase the reaction rate, thus lessening input of raw materials
(Zhang et al, 2011).
 Discussion
Applications of Nanotechnology
➢In agriculture
• In the lecture given by Dr. Fabian M. Dayrit in 2008 entitled
“Nanotechnology: Business and Practical Applications: Where the
Philippines Is and Where It Should Be”,
• possible applications of nanotechnology in the Philippines, namely:
✓ ICT and Semiconductors,
✓ Energy, Food and Agriculture,
✓ Environment, and Health and
✓ Medicine
o He mentioned existing and on-going research studies that time
funded by the Department of Science and Technology on these
areas, as well as on Nano-Metrology and Education and Public
Awareness.
 Discussion
Challenges of Nanotechnology
• Nanotechnology when used in environmental impact assessments and in
toxicology testing, may bring a possibility of e-waste bins at recycling centers or
even in sanitary landfills to have intricately engineered nanostructures that could
screen what happen to these e-wastes to possibly lessen environmental
consequences. This may be feasible but may be difficult.
• The mineral-based nanoparticles found in
✓ cosmetics,
✓ paints,
✓ clothing and other products
o affect the environment as they go through sewerage treatment plants
untreated due to their very small diameters. They can be carried down by
fine silts or microplastics with both inorganic and organic pollutants. Thus,
may even affect our water source (Biercuk, 2011).
 Discussion
Challenges of Nanotechnology
• Carbon nanotubes used in manufacture of
✓ memory storage,
✓ electronic,
✓ batteries, etc.
o were found to have unknown harmful impacts to the human body by
inhalation into lungs comparable to asbestos fiber11.
o The pulmonary toxicological evaluation of single-wall carbon nanotubes12
indicated that it is more toxic than carbon black and quartz once it reaches
lung13 while multifocal granulomas were produced when rats were exposure
to single-wall carbon nanotubes14 (Zhang et al, 2011).
 Discussion
Challenges of Nanotechnology
• Due to its size, nanoparticle will be difficult to be analyzed and this 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 rely heavily on the information of the
chemical structure since minor changes of chemical function group could
drastically change its properties.
• Point to point risk assessment at all stages of nanotechnology then should be
conducted to ensure the safety on human health and environment.
• The risk assessment should include the exposure risk and its probability of
exposure, toxicological analysis, transport risk, persistence risk, transformation
risk and ability to recycle (Zhang et al, 2011), which will be quite expensive due to
the difficulty in detection of nano particles.
 Discussion
Dilemma of Utilizing Nanotechnology
➢With the identified potential hazard that nanoparticles can bring to human
health and the environment, shall we give up the benefits the technology
can provide the society?
• Issues raised may be further studied and modification of nanotechnology
methods may be done i.e. that of altering the composition of graphene.
• Graphene is known to be one of the most advanced materials for
✓ structural improvement,
✓ substitution of silicon for electronic devices,
✓ thermal transferring, and
✓ fire retardant,
o to become more environmental friendly. Some studies also found
microorganisms that can decompose graphene to make it less
toxic to the environment (Zhang et al, 2011).
• It is imperative therefore, that the society is given a nano safe knowledge
on how nanomaterials work to our benefit or even to our detriment.
 Activity 1
*Note: Exercise 1. Shall be an individual activity

Unit 4. Exercise 1.0. Nanotechnology in Your Life

Name______________________________ Section______________________

Instructions:

Select a manufacturing product you use in your daily life that involves
nanotechnology.

Prepare a flashcard (A4 size) with the picture of the product on the front side and the
description of the product why it is classified utilizing nanotechnology at the back.

Prepare for a 2 minute discussion of your flash card in front of the class.
 Activity 2
*Note: Exercise 2. Shall be a Group activity

Unit 4. Exercise 2.0. Nanotechnology: Its Potential Benefits vs Its Issues

Instructions:
• The class will be divided into 6 groups composed of 5 members per group.
• Three fields (any of these topics ICT and Semiconductor, Energy, Food and
Agroculture, Environment, and Health and Medicine) where nanotechnology is
used in the Philippines will be drawn by each group.
• Two groups will be given the same field. One of these groups needs to give and
defend the potential benefits of nanotechnology on this field while the other
group needs to be defending the issues and concerns on human health and the
environment.
• Prepare for a debate using the Rubric for Debate below.
 Rubric for Debate Levels of Performance

Criteria 1 2 3 4

1. Organization and Clarity (Viewpoints

Unclear in most Clear in some parts Mostly clear and Completely clear and
and responses are outlined both
parts but not over all orderly in all parts orderly presentation
clearly and orderly.)

Few or no Many reasons

2. Use of Arguments (Reasons are Some relevant Most relevant reasons
relevant reasons given: fairly
given to support viewpoint.) reasons given given in support
given relevant

Few or no Many
3. Use of Examples and Facts
relevant Some relevant examples/facts Most relevant supporting
(Examples and facts are given to
supporting examples/facts given given: fairly examples and facts given
support reasons, with references)
examples/facts relevant

4. Use of Rebuttal (Arguments made No effective Few effective Some effective

Many effective counter-
by the other teams are responded to counter- counter-arguments counter-arguments
arguments made
and dealt with effectively.) arguments made made made

5. Presentation Style (Tone of voice, Few style features

Few style features All style features
use of gestures, and level of were used but they All style features were
were used; not were used, most
enthusiasm are convincing to were used used convincingly
convincingly convincingly
audience.) convincingly

6. Argument Structure Analysis No valid counter Two valid counter

One valid counter All counterarguments
(Analysis of the argument structure of a argument argument
argument presented presented are valid.
chosen opinion article.) presented presented
 Activity 3
*Note: Exercise 3. Shall be a group activity

Unit 4. Exercise 3.0. Nanotechnology: Its Professional, Legal/Policy,

and Ethical Issues

Instructions:
Research on the existing Professional, Legal/Policy, and Ethical issues on
Nanotechnology.

Cite specific examples for each issue.

Prepare a 10-minute group presentation that tackles these issues.

Use your creativity in preparing your presentation. It may be a Role Play, a

TV show format or the like.
 Activity 4
*Note: Exercise 3. Shall be a group activity

Unit 4. Exercise 4.0. Policy Proposal for an Existing Nanotechnology

Issue and Concern

Instructions:
• Form a group of 5 members.
• Identify an existing Nanotechnology Issue and Concern that you think
needs a policy to be implemented.
• Use the Rubric for Policy Paper as your guide.
Category Rubric for Policy Paper
Exceeds Standards 9-10 pts Meets Standard Nearly Meets Standard
7-8 pts
Does Not meet
Standard 4-7 pts
No evidence
0 Points
8-9 pts
Title Your name, date, and a catchy/clever title Title is not quite as catchy all else is there Missing one element Missing more than one element Absent

Thesis Clearly and concisely states the paper's Clearly states the paper's purpose and policy States the purpose/policy proposal of Incomplete and/or unfocused Absent and/or unfocused
Statement purpose and policy proposal in 2-3 engaging proposal the paper but is somewhat unclear or and/or has purpose but no policy and/or missing purpose
appears much too late in the paper proposal and/or policy proposal
sentences that are identifiable in the first 3-4
pages
Introduction Engaging, draws the reader in; includes the States the main purpose and thesis, but is not Alludes to the topic, but is not engaging No clear and delineated intro, Absent
thesis; sets out the reasoning about why topic creative and dances around the reason that and does not include an identifiable thesis is missing
the policy topic is problematic thesis
is a "problem" that needs fixed
Body Is well-organized; Includes thorough history of Is mostly well-organized; includes decent Organization is troubling; treatment of Organization is so sloppy that If you don't have a body,
topic, thorough discussion of current policies historical discussion; discussion of current history is cursory; policy proposal is paper is hard to follow; one or you don't have a paper!
policies may be a bit superficial; scholarly neither plausible nor defended; more elements of policy proposal
and scholarly debates about the topic, clear
debates present but not necessarily linked to scholarly debate is missing history, or scholarly debate are
articulation of feasible and defensible policy
sources; policy proposal not defended but missing
proposal feasible

Development Policy solution is obviously well-developed and
of based in an excellent understanding of
Idea/Support government structure and power; policy
for Ideas solution is obviously supported by research;
development of argument is logical and
transitions enhance clarity
Policy solution is tentatively asserted and is Policy solution is very basic and not Policy solution is not possible No evidence of attempt
mostly supported by research and based in a based in a thorough understanding of and/or is not grounded in any to articulate policy
decent understanding of current government current government structure and understanding of current solution
structure and power; development of argument power; policy solution is tentatively government structure/power;
is sound but sometimes difficult to follow; based in research; transitions are transitions are weak
transitions solid but not seamless convoluted and interfere with
development of idea

Conclusion The conclusion is engaging and encourages The conclusion is clear and present The conclusion doesn’t' seem to wrap The conclusion is not conclusive No conclusion present
reader to "think some more" up the paper and/or is hard to identify

Mechanics/ Few if any errors in sentence structure, Several errors in the categories mentioned in Significant errors in punctuation, Mechanics are so rough as to Writing is illegible.
organization, spelling, capitalization, column 1. Writing is terse and not overly organization, spelling interferes with thoroughly distract from the
Usage poetic, but appropriate and clear. clarity of the ideas. Word/verb choice is articulation of the ideas
punctuation. Beautiful language and
elementary and repetitive.
sophisticated word/verb choice
Citations/ Has all 10 sources; at least 3 book sources; all Has 8-10 sources; may only have 2 books Has 7-9 sources; not enough book Sources are 7 or fewer; book No footnotes and no
Internet sources are reliable sources; citation sources; 1-2 Internet sources seem suspect; sources and too much reliance on sources are not present; bibliography
Sources citation format followed with perhaps a couple unreliable Internet sources; citation footnotes are in incorrect format
format follows Chicago Manual of Style
of errors; footnotes are present but may be format rough and incomplete; some and/or are not adequate
perfectly; footnotes are informative and support
rather terse; all direct quotations are cited; quotes are not cited directly; difficult to
assertions of ideas; all direct quotes are cited; bibliography present and in correct format understand which sources ideas are
bibliography present and in correct format emanating from; bibliography present
but some formatting trouble
Bibliography Present and in correct format Present and in correct format Present with formatting inconsistencies Incomplete No Bibliography
Policy Paper Template Proposal

1. Policy Proposal Name:

2. Proposal Originator
a. name:
b. email:
c. telephone:
d. organization:
3. Date:
4. Problem Statement:
5. Policy statement:
6. Comments:
a. Timetable for implementation:
b. Anything else
END OF TEMPLATE
Policy Paper Template Instruction
Template Instructions
Policy Proposal Name - Provide a name that can be used to identify the policy
proposal.
Proposal Originator - Fill in point of contact information including name, email
address, phone number and organization.
Date: Enter the date.
Problem Statement – Provide a concise description of the issues that need to be
addressed. What is the problem with current number policy? Who has the
problem? When and where is it a problem?
Policy Statement - Make a clear and concise policy statement that is
unambiguous and actionable. The policy text written here would ideally fit into the
Number Resource Policy Manual.
Comments: - Consider include the following:
• When do you want the policy implemented? As soon as possible? Is there a
trigger?
• Anything else that supports your proposal including examples, additional
rationale, links to background information, etc.
 References
AZoNanotechnology, tuberculosis diagnosis kit based on nanotechnology, 2004, retrieved from
http://www.azonano.com/details.asp?ArticleID=368.
Biercuk, Michael J. (April 11, 2011). “Explainer: Nanotechnology and you”, Retrieved from
https://theconversation.com/explainer-nanotechnology-and-you-743.
Colvin, V.L. (2003). The Potential Environmental Impact of Engineered Nanomaterials. Nature Biotechnology 21(10): 1166-
1170.
Dayrit, Fabian M. (August 5, 2008). Lecture on “Nanotechnology: Business and Practical Applications: Where the Philippines
Is and Where It Should Be”. Ateneo de Manila University and Management Association of the Philippines.
Dayrit, Fabian M., Binag, Christina A. and Malapit, Christian (2008). Lecture on “Applications of Nanotechnology to the
Environment”.
Greer, Julia (October 27, 2014). “The surprising strengths of materials in the nanoworld”, TEDx Talks, Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjHYHY_IkUk.
Greer, Julia (January 3, 2016). Video on “Nanotechnology: When Less is More”, TEDx Talks, Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1jbigmsLBw.
Hechman, M. (2005). Better eating through nanotech: retrieved from http://www.extremenano.com.
Pena, M. E., Korfiatis, G. P., Patel, M., Lippincott, L. and Meng, X. G. (2005). Adsorption of As (V) and As (III) by
nanocrystalline titanium dioxide. Water Res., 39: 2327– 2337.
Prashant, J. and Pradeep, T. (2005). Potential of silver nanoparticle-coated polyurethane foam as an antibacterial water filter.
Biotechnol. Bioeng, 90: 59–63.
Ramsden, Jeremy (2009). Essentials of Nanotechnology. Jeremy Ramsden and Ventus Publishing ApS. bookboon.com
Shearer, Cameron (July 5, 2016). “A guide to the nanotechnology used in the average home”. Retrieved from
https://theconversation.com/a-guide-to-the-nanotechnology-used-in-the-average-home-59312
Zhang, B., Misak, H., Dhanasekaran, P.S., Kalla, D. and Asmatulu, R. (2011). Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology and
Its Products. Proceedings of the 2011 Midwest Section Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education.
 Meta-Cognitive Reading Report
Assignment (Metacognitive Reading Report -MRR)
Note: for every unit of each chapter, there be assigned readings that are available online. Students are
expected to complete a maximum of 3 reading articles and a metacognitive report on these readings.

Assignment 1: Meta-Cognitive Reading Report

Name_________________________________ Section____________________
Unit 4: Nanotechnology
Readings:

1. Greer, Julia (October 27, 2014). “The surprising strengths of materials in the nanoworld”,
TEDx Talks, Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjHYHY_IkUk.

1. Ramsden, Jeremy (2009). Essentials of Nanotechnology. Jeremy Ramsden and Ventus

Publishing ApS. bookboon.com

1. Colvin, V.L. (2003). The Potential Environmental Impact of Engineered Nanomaterials.

Nature Biotechnology 21(10): 1166-1170.
Meta-Cognitive Reading Report
Use the MRR form and answer the following:

1. (3) Things that I significantly learned from the

readings
2. (3) Things that are still unclear to me
3. I used to think that….
4. (3) questions that I want to ask about the readings