INTERRELATEDNESS

OF SOCIETY, THE
ENVIRONMENT AND
HEALTH.
Prepared by: Prof. Estella Marie Alicante
 Interrelatedness: Society,
Environment and Health
Interrelatedness by definition is the state of being
mutually related or connected.

Biodiversity is shortened form of the two words

“biological” means living organism and “diversity”
means variety.

Biodiversity means the variety of life that can be found

on earth, as well as to the communities that they form
and the habitants in which they live.
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 Biological Diversity In Three Levels

1. Specific diversity refers to the variety of different species.

2. Genetic diversity corresponds to the variety of genes

contained in plants, animals’ fungi and microorganisms;

3. Ecosystem diversity refers to all the different habitats that

exist, like tropical or temperate forests, hot and cold desert,
wetlands, rivers, mountains, coral reefs, etc.

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The loss of biodiversity, according to the report
has increased in the 20th century which influence
to the continuous advancement of science and
technology which includes:

1. Biotechnology,
2. GMO, Genetic modification,
3. Nanotechnology,
4. Gene therapy
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Technology that utilize biological system, living
organism or parts of this to develop or create different
products.

Advantages
1. Higher crop yields
2. Higher resistance to the disease
3. Less pesticide is needed for the plant to be used
due to insect pest resistant plants.
Disadvantages
4. Human breast cancer
5. Lung cancer
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BIOTECHNOLOGY
Three main forms

1. Medical (red)
2. Agricultural (green)
3. Industrial (white)

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Applications of Medical
Biotechnology
When biotechnology is used for purposes that
can better the health or reduce the suffering of
humans or other creatures, it is part of the medical
biotech sector.

This involves both finding cures, diagnostics,

therapies, vaccines and treatments for diseases.

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 Applications of Agricultural
Biotechnology

Agricultural biotechnology is focused

on genetically modifying plants for the purpose of
increasing crop yields or introducing desirable
characteristics to make them easier to grow in
particular areas with weather or pests that would
otherwise make growing difficult.

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 Applications of Industrial
Biotechnology

Industrial biotechnology is largely focused on

environmentally friendly applications that reduce
pollution and increase energy efficiency. For
example, microorganisms and plants may be used
to break down and dissolve waste products such
as heavy metals.

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GMO- Genetically Modified Organism

Plant animal, microorganism or other organism

whose genetic makeup has been modified in a
laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic
technology.

The purposes of GM crops generally include

resistance to certain pests, diseases or environmental
conditions or resistance to chemical treatments and
enhance its nutritional value as seen in the case of
golden rice.

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The GMO papaya, called
the Rainbow papaya, is an example
of a GMO crop developed to be
resistant to a virus.

When the ringspot virus threatened

the Hawaii papaya industry and the
livelihoods of Hawaiian papaya
farmers, plant scientists developed the
ringspot virus-resistant Rainbow
papaya. The Rainbow papaya was
commercially planted in 1998, and
today it is grown all over Hawaii and
exported to Japan.
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Some GMO crops were developed
specifically to benefit consumers.

For example, a GMO soybean that is

used to create a healthier oil is
commercially grown and available.

GMO apples that do not brown when

cut are now available for sale and may
help reduce food waste.

Plant scientists continue to develop

GMO crops that they hope will benefit
consumers.
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GMO- Genetically Modified
Organism

But studies have shown that genetically

modified corn and soy fed to rats led to a
higher risk of them developing liver and
kidney problems.

Transgenic modification produces organism

types which would never occur naturally
making them highly unpredictable.

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NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nano- (symbol n) is a unit
prefix meaning "one billionth". Used primarily with
the metric system, this prefix denotes a factor of
10−9 or 0.000000001

Hence, “Nano” expresses a very tiny amount or

size.

Also called Nanoscience. The study of

extremely small things and can be used across all
the other science fields such as chemistry.

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NANOTECHNOLOGY
The design, characterization, production, and
application of structures, devices, and systems by
controlled manipulation of size and shape at the
nanometer scale (atomic, molecular, and
macromolecular scale) that produces structures,
devices, and systems with at least one
novel/superior characteristic or property.

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 A few examples of current nanotechnology include
the following:
 Food security. Nanosensors in packaging can detect
salmonella and other contaminants in foods.

 Medicine. Some of the most exciting breakthroughs

in nanotechnology are occurring in the medical
field, allowing medicine to become more
personalised, cheaper, safer and easier to deliver.
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.

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 A few examples of current nanotechnology include
the following:
 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.
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 A few examples of current nanotechnology include
the following:
 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.
 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.
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 A few examples of current nanotechnology include
the following:

 Textiles. Nanoscale additives in fabrics help resist

staining, wrinkling and bacteria growth.

 Cosmetics. Nanoscale materials in a range of cosmetics

provide functions such as improved coverage, absorption
or cleansing. Nanoparticles give the surface of these
textile fibers a structure with an effect similar to a lotus
plant’s leaves, making the fibers water- and dirt-repellent. 

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GENE THERAPY

An experimental technique that uses genes to

treat or prevent disease in the future, this
technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by
inserting a gene into a patient’s cells instead of
using drugs or surgery.

The goal of gene therapy is to cure or slowdown

a genetic disease by repairing the damaged gene
responsible for the disease. In order to achieve the
goal gene therapy requires the technology to
insert the missing and normal gene into the DNA
of the patient.
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GREENHOUSE GASES

Are those gases in the atmosphere

that have an influence on the earth’s
energy balance. They cause the so called
greenhouse effect.

The best known greenhouse gases are

carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous
oxide, can be found naturally in low
concentrations in the atmosphere.
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 Sources of Major Greenhouse
Gases
Greenhouse gas Major sources
Carbon Dioxide Fossil fuel combustion; Deforestation;
Cement production

Methane Fossil fuel production; Agriculture;

Landfills

Nitrous Oxide Fertilizer application; Fossil fuel and

biomass combustion; Industrial
processes

Chlorofluorocarbon-12 (CFC- Refrigerants

12)

Hydrofluorocarbon-23 (HFC- Refrigerants

23)

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GLOBAL WARMING
a gradual increase in the overall
temperature of earth’s atmosphere
generally attributed to the greenhouse
effect caused by increased levels of carbon
dioxide, chlorofluorocarbon and other
pollutants.

With the above information, it clearly

proves that the interrelatedness between
human health and biological diversity
exists and have a mutual impact to the
society. When one deteriorates it has a
great possibility that others follow.
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Even though science has given the
humanity a tool for self-
improvement and modernization,
we are part of the “biodiversity”
and it must be realized that we must
be a good stewards of God’s
creation, work together for good, to
attain good life which leads to
happiness and a better world to live.

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 Q &A
In your own opinion, what contribution that
you can personally achieve of making our
“biodiversity” safe ? Support your answer.

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THANK
S!
Any questions?

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