MODULE 5

CHAPTER 5: SPECIFIC ISSUES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

Overview
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, the module
aims to empower students toward a
renewed understanding and appreciation of
science and technology in the present
context of society.

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LESSON 1: INFORMATION AGE

This lesson traces the development of the information age and discusses its impact on society. It
tackles the various ways the Information age and social media have influenced society and human lives.

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Trace the development of the information age from the introduction of Gutenberg's press up to the
era of social media,
2. Determine the impacts of the information age to society; and
3. Analyze the ways in which the information age and social media influence human lives.

Motivation / Take-Off
Instructions: Answer the questions that follow.
1. Who invented the printing press?
2. When was the printing press invented?
3. What device first compiled actuarial tables, did engineering calculations, and served as computers?
4. Who is the Father of the Computer Age?
5. What electromechanical machine enabled the British to read all daily German Naval Enigma traffic?
6. What machine can solve any problem and perform any task from a written a program
7. Who is the Filipino engineer who created the new silicon chip?
8. Who build a simple computer with around 8080 microprocessors that were hooked up to a
keyboard and television?
9. What did Steve Jobs call the computer described in no. 8?
10. Who is the creator of Microsoft?

Lesson Proper
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 mold 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 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 in print permanently reformed the
structure of society. Political and religious authorities who took pride in being learned were threatened by
 The Gutenberg Press

the sudden rise of literacy among people. With the rise of the
printing press, the printing revolution occurred which illustrated
the tremendous social change brought by the wide circulation of
information. The printing press made the mass production of
books possible which made books accessible not only to the
upper class.

As years progressed,
Calculations became involved in
communication due to the rapid
developments in the trade sector.
Back then, people who compiled
actuarial tables
Source: . https://images.app.goo.gl/ZGYQE4c7p7D5F9KC9 and did
engineering calculations served as
"computers”. During World War I, the Allies (U.S., Canada, Britain, France,
USSR, Australia, etc.), countries that opposed the Axis powers (Germany,
Japan, Italy, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria), were challenged with a
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 7, a general purpose
electromechanical computer that was 50 feet long and capable of doing
“Enigma M4” Cypher Machine
calculations in seconds that usually took people hours. At the same time,
Source: .https://images.app.goo.gl/AQzEUvBhhDXwZPvw6
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 the Turing machine that can solve any problem
from simple instructions encoded on a paper tape. He also demonstrated
Alan Turing the simulation of the Turing machine to construct a single Universal
Machine. This became the foundation of computer science and the
Source: .https://images.app.goo.gl/R7dw9S7 invention of a machine later called a computer, that can solve any problem by
UYk6p4x9z7
performing any task from a written program (DeHaan, 2012).

In the 1970s, the generation who witnessed the dawn of the computer age was described as the
generation with "electronic brains.” The people of this generation were the first to be introduced to personal
computers (PCs). Back then, the Homebrew Computer Club, an early computer hobbyist group, gathered
regularly to trade parts of computer hardware and talked about how to make computers more accessible to
everyone. Many members of 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 1., 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 as a fully assembled
printed circuit board. This jumpstarted their career as founders of Apple Inc.

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 From 1973 onward, social media platforms were
introduced from variations of multi-user chat rooms; instant-
messaging applications (e.g., AOL, Yahoo messenger, MSN
messenger, Windows messenger); Bulletin-board forum
systems, game-based social networking sites (e.g., Facebook,
Friendster, Myspace) and business-oriented social
networking websites (e.g., Xing); messaging, video and voice
calling services (e.g., Viber, Skype); blogging platform, image
and video hosting websites (e.g., Flicker); discovery and
dating oriented websites (e.g., Tagged, Tinder); video sharing Apple I, also called Apple-1 or Apple
Computer 1
services (e.g., YouTube); real-time social media feed
aggregator (e.g., Friend Feed); live-streaming (e.g., Justin.tv, Source: . https://images.app.goo.gl/kF5qZr2H3Pas7iwE8
Twitch.tv ); photo-video sharing websites (e.g., Pinterest,
Instagram, Snapchat, Keek, Vine); and question-and-answer platforms (e.g, Quora). To date, these social
media platforms enable information exchange at its most efficient level.

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.

Activity 1. Documentary Film Viewing and Reflection

Instructions: Watch the 2018 documentary The Internet Revolution and Digital Future Technology on
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9xZFZO7USA). Then, write a short essay of 300-500
words on the topic, "What is the impact of the information revolution on my learning in school?"

Activity 2. Debate via Google Meet

Instructions: Form groups with five members each. Research on the topic that will be assigned to your
group and write your arguments about it. The topics are:
1. People use social media to their advantage.
2. The information revolution has made the world a better place.
3. Facebook should be held accountable for the spread of "fake news.
4. Using social media platforms is a requisite to a person's meaningful engagement with the world.

Activity 3: Group Work via Google Meet

Instructions: Form groups with five members each. Based on the topic, Information Revolution and
Freedom of Speech, conduct informal interviews with people of different backgrounds. Use the following
guide questions in conducting the informal interviews:
1. Do you think that people should use social media in exercising their freedom of speech?
2. What should be the limits of freedom of speech in social media?
3. Should we hold people accountable for misuse or abuse of social media in exercising their freedom
of speech? Why or why not?
Prepare a five-minute video compilation of your interviews.

LESSON 2: BIODIVERSITY AND A HEALTHY SOCIETY

Overview

This section focuses on the interconnections among society environment, and health. It tackles the
value of biodiversity as a source of food, medicine, and other biological resources in relation to
consumption of goods. The section specifically covers the relationship of biodiversity with (a) health and
medicine; (b) food; (c) energy (d) water storage and flood control; and (e) air and water treatment

Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the importance of biodiversity as a source of different biological resources, and

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 2. Discuss the adverse effects of resource depletion on society and the measures to mitigate them.

Motivation / Take-Off
Instructions: Visit your school garden or the nearest one outside your school/house. Observe the
components of biodiversity that you can find in the garden and identify some of their benefits. Use the table
below.
Components of Biodiversity Benefits (e.g., food, health, medicine and
energy)

Biodiversity is defined as the variety of life

present in N 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.
Marine Biodiversity
Species are the normal measure of bio diversity for these
are the basic units of biological classification. Species are Source: .https://images.app.goo.gl/2tMtD4qHSFufRjtE7
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.

Society benefits greatly from the richness of biodiversity since humans can source from nature
biological resources such as food, medicine, energy, and more. Biodiversity in natural ecosystems can also
regulate climate, flood, pollination, water and air quality, water storage, decomposition of wastes, among
others. However, these numerous benefits of biodiversity are vulnerable to exploitation. Humans need to be
responsible in optimizing the benefits of biodiversity through the proper utilization of science and
technology.

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
myrha (myrrh), for instance, have been used to treat
coughs, 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 drug such as gargles,
pills, infusions, and ointments were used in Ancient
Egypt as well as Ancient China. Beginning 100 BC to
300 BC, the Greeks recorded the collection, storage, and
Salvia apiana or California Sage use of medicinal herbs. During the Dark and Middle Ages,
monasteries in England, Ireland, France, and Germany
Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/4fHyMGWL9Fs5A5Ti9

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 the respective environments.

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 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 invert sugar. It is believed to have diuretic, diaphoretic, laxative, expectorant, gastro protective,
antiseptic, and ant-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 nasal polyps.
The plant Ligusticum scoticum (Scotish 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
plants. Salicylic acid, the active ingredient of the anti-inflammatory drug, aspirin, for example, is derived
from the bark of a willow tree. Morphine, one of the most widely known painkillers which was 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 the 1700s.

The transmission of diseases due to the

movement of organisms amplified the need to study the
environment in relation to human health. As time went by,
information regarding different diseases and how to treat
them has been extensively documented to come up with
more effective ways of treating them. 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 bacterial strains supersensitive to B-
lactams, tests for the inhibition of B-lactama ses, and Ascomycota

specificity for sulfur-containing metabolites led to the Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/rDurCeQmsizmbz3K6

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
(xerostomia). 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 succirubra 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 a basic need for human survival.
During the Stone Age, humans relied only on
hunting and foraging to get food. They depended on
what the 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 Vegetable crops

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disasters. Ways to cultivate desired species of crops and animals suitable for consumption also evolved
throughout time. The increasing demand for food as the world population grew also resulted in the
development 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.

Energy
Humans rely on energy provided by
ecosystems to do 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 communica tion
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 other civilizations, such
as the Romans and Northern Native Americans. In 400
BC, water energy or hydro power was used by the Windmills of Pililla, Rizal, Philippines
Ancient Greeks and Romans and for irrigation. In 347 AD,
the earliest known oil wells were developed in China. They Source: .https://images.app.goo.gl/ru4XTTNx8DiwH3B4A
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.

ln 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.
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 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 near
Middletown, Pennsylvania happened. At the end of 1980, the biggest oil spill in the US waters, the Exxon
Valdez oil spill in Alaska occurred. In the 2000s, a number of catastrophic events transpired, e.g., the coal
ash spill in Tennessee, oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Fukushima nuclear crisis in Japan (Battaglia,
2013).

A study conducted by Jones, Pejchar, and Kiesecker (2015) reported the repercussions of society's
demand for clean and abundant energy on biodiversity and human well-being. The demands for energy
created a positive impact on unconventional ways of producing energy but, in turn, have resulted in
adverse effects on biodiversity in terms of wildlife mortality, habitat loss, fragmentation, noise and light
pollution, invasive species, and changes in carbon stock and water resources.

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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 with 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 Source:
communities that were far from bodies of water. Aqueduct https://images.app.goo.gl/PBgTLBy7dtaL9Shh6
Then, in the late 19th century, with the increasing
demand for potable water and irrigation of crops, dams were built to maintain water supply in communities.
Biodiversity in forests plays an unquestionably crucial role in water resources. Forests provide
natural filtration and storage systems to provide freshwater. The roots and leaves of trees create conditions
that promote the infiltration of rainwater into the soil to fill up the aquifer systems with groundwater, while
percolation occurs allowing the movement of surface water into rivers and lakes. Forests also play a major
role in the water cycle by affecting rates of transpiration and evaporation and water storage in watersheds.
There seems to be a synchrony between indigenous forests and biodiversity so that, in various ways, they
contribute and regulate the quantity and quality of freshwater (Blumenfeld, Lu, Christophersen, & Coates,
2009).

Flooding is mostly known for its adverse effects but it also has some benefits. In the context of
agriculture, flooding can help farmers for it distributes nutrients that particular patches of soil lacked. This
can make the soil healthier and more fertile for the cultivation of crops. Further, floods can also add
nutrients to rivers and lakes thus improving the ecosystem. However, these benefits are not always
achieved because most of the time, flooding causes long term damages. It is also observed that recent
flooding caused by typhoons have been extremely damaging which may be one of the effects of climate
change. In the Philippines, for instance, flooding causes extreme damage in both urban and rural areas. In
urban areas, floods damage homes, roads, and other infrastructures because of the lack of proper drainage
systems and waste management systems. In rural areas, on the other hand, floods easily destroy crops
and farmlands and may even be deadly especially for low-lying areas near rivers and lakes.

Air and Water Treatment

Some of the gases considered as criteria pollutants like NOx and O3, 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 nitrate in drinking water is too high to protect natural ecosystems particularly the plant species.
Widespread exceedance of nitrogen critical concentrations will adversely affect the structure and function of
ecosystems.

The effects 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 or pollinators and flowers. Ground level ozone also damages the
leaves or salad crops, consequently reducing their market value. In 2000, ozone pollution reduced wheat

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yield by 14 percent and the tomato yield 9 percent which created a domino effect in the overall production
and consumption of goods.
Negative impacts on vegetation reduce the sink capacity for carbon dioxide and ozone, enhancing
their atmospheric concentrations and affecting the global water cycle. The effects of global warming are
harmful to the environment and its inhabitants. Soils store air pollutants temporarily that affect water
purification. Stored pollutants have adverse effects on soil functioning (e.g., microbes and invertebrates)
and create problems when the retention capacity of soil is reached or disturbed. Worldwide efforts are
being made to decrease nitrogen deposition to the biosphere to enhance plant species diversity and
relative species richness in grasslands.

Protocols 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 the 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.

Activity 4. Film Viewing

Instructions: In class, watch the movie Medicine Man (1992). Then, write a 300- to 500-word reaction
paper focused on the questions below. Cite scenes and instances in the movie to support your answers
1. How does biodiversity provide for people's medical needs?
2. How do researches that utilize biodiversity affect the community?
3. Why are the cultural traditions of the community important in consuming or using the goods
sourced from biodiversity?
4. How do business and development affect biodiversity?
5. What is your take on the value of biodiversity for health and medicine? What are the parameters to
distinguish the good and bad ways of utilizing biodiversity in this context?

LESSON 3: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOS) AND GENE THERAPY

Overview
This section discusses the moral and ethical issues concerning GMOs and their impacts on society.
It also sheds light on the various forms and applications of gene therapy.

Objectives
At the end of this section, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the uses and effects of GMOs and gene therapy on society, particularly in the context of
health and economy; and
2. Discuss the moral and bioethical questions concerning genetic engineering

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Motivation / Take - Off
Instructions: List down what you currently know about gene therapy and GMOs, and think about possible
problems that may arise as a result of these innovations.
Description / Function Problems
GMOs
Therapy
Gene

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 Potato

Increased crop yield, pest resistance, and other Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/KGN7Xh2KGz2nJL5c7

benefits of GMOs are indeed advantageous, yet there are also disadvantages that need to be studied
comprehensively. In addition, the growing concern with how GMOs may affect consumers' health and the
environment needs to be 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
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 Source:
Flavr Savr Tomato
natural tomatoes. https://images.app.goo.gl/Z4oKp356a
F4NEEiY8

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 In 1995, Bt Potatoes and Corn, and Roundup Ready Soybeans were approved safe by the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In 1996, weeds resistant to gyphosate, the herbicide used for many GMO crops, were detected
in Australia. Research shows that the super weeds are 7 to 11 times are 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 modified 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 was opposed by environmental and anti-globalization advocates because
this GMO was thought to compromise food production, nutrition, and financial security.

In 2003, a Bt-toxin-resistant caterpillar-cum-moth, Helicoverpa zea was found feasting on GMO Bt

cotton crops in the southern United States.
In 2006, Yorkshire pigs were genetically modified to produce offspring that produce the enzyme
phytase in their saliva to digest plan phosphorus, unlike that of normal pigs.

In 2011, a research in eastern Quebec found Bt toxins in the blood of pregnant women and
showed evidence that the toxin could be passed on to the babies.

In 2012, French farmer Paul Francois sued Monsanto for chemical poisoning that he claimed was
caused by the pesticide Lasso, which was part of the Roundup Ready line of products. He won the case.

As early as 2013, corn and poplars were genetically modified and used to produce biofuel, which is
regarded as an efficient substitute for petroleum products.

In 2014, the patent on the Roundup Ready line of genetically engineered seeds ended.

Numerous GMOs are produced all over the world. Those mentioned here involve mutation.
Science agrees that the majority of mutations attempted on a species have the probability to fail miserably,
and the individual plant/animal would not survive (Mayr, 2007).

To date, the production and

consumption of GMOs are being argued
upon due to their safety alongside the right
of humans to modify 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 exotic
species do. An accident in genetically
engineering virus or bacteria, for example,
could result in super bacteria that display
antimicrobial resistance, which may cause
a serious epidemic when released. Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/di3EoKRqVdy49QfKA

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Gene Therapy
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.

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 Institutes 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 Medicinal 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
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).

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 it is unethical for humans to have a 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 a 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 sourced from
human embryos and thus destroys 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.

Activity 5. Conceptualize a GMO

Instructions: On the box provided, draw a possible GMO. In conceptualizing a GMO, think of the features
or characteristics that you imagine it possesses and its potential impacts on society. Be ready to share your
output in in a 2-minute video clip answering the questions that follow.
1. What is your GMO, it's modified characteristics and features?
2. In what ways do you think this GMO can positively impact society?
3. What ethical issues or concerns may arise as a result of this GMO?
GMOs in Food
Instructions: As a take-home enrichment task, search the internet for edible products that make use of
GMOs as ingredients. Choose a particular GMO and research on it. Paste a photo of your chosen
GMO and answer this question.

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 1. How does the use of a GMO ingredient in the product reduce the drawbacks of the same product
that use non-GMO ingredient?

Exercise 1. Bioethical Dilemma of Gene Therapy

Instructions: Read the article “Bubble kid” success puts gene therapy back on track on
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22029413-200-bubble-kid-success-puts-gene-therapy-back-ontrack.
Then, individually, answer the questions that follow.

Questions:
1. What are the relevant facts of this case?
2. What are some ethical questions or concerns raised in this case?
3. Who are the stakeholders in this situation? Who are affected by the decisions made?
4. What values influence the decision of each group of stakeholders?
5. What are some possible actions and their consequences?
6. What do you consider to be the best action and why?

LESSON 4: NANOTECHNOLOGY

Overview:
This section discusses nanotechnology and how the manipulation of matter on a nanoscale
impacts the society. It focuses on both the advantages and disadvantages of nanotechnology.

Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Discuss the antecedents of nanotechnology and its importance to society;
2. Enumerate the positive and negative impacts of nanotechnology on the environment and society;
and
3. Identify the moral and ethical questions and concerns surrounding nanotechnology.

Motivation / Take-Off
Instructions: What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of the ability to manipulate the building
blocks of the world (i.e., individual atoms and molecules) at dimensions and tolerances of less than one-
billionth of a meter? List down your ideas.
Manipulation of Atoms and Molecules
Advantages Disadvantages

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 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 design,
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 objects which include materials, devices, and systems.
The second dimension deals with the passive and static objects
i.e., nanoparticles that have prop erties 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 extends to indirect nanotechnology, which starts with
NanoFacture
nanoparticles but can be used in huge applications i.e., hugely
powerful information processors with individual nanoscale Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/sE8mbsx7rY1qRNvf9

components (Ramsden, 2009).

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 nanote chnology (Maclurcan,
2005).

Water purification systems containing nanomaterials and

Nanotechnology on red blood cells
utilizing new membrane technologies containing variable pore-sized
filters (i.e., the forward-osmosis membrane technology of Hydration Source:
Technologies) are now available (Jadhawar, 2004). Nanoparticles are https://images.app.goo.gl/5EsnoVU2UF1vqkpe6
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, 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
nanoporous cage-like structures that are used as molecular sieves.

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 (Heckman, 2005). Ultra-

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small probes on earth surfaces for agricultural applications and control of soil, air, and water contamination
are developed using nanotechnology (Zhang et. al, 2011).

A simple, cheap, and effective 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 a nuclear leak faster
and more acc urately at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Power Plant (Zhang et al., 2011). Chlorinated compounds
(i.e., chlorinated solvents and pesticides, polychlorinated
Nanotechnology application in agriculture
biphenyls (PCBs), and brominated compounds) are major
environmental contaminants that can be reduced using Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/4rr6p7DJx6LhJxTn9
nanoscale metal particles, such as FeO and Fe-Ni in
conjunction with 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.

Bio nanotechnology 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,
Graphene Buckyballs
which does not require a multifunctional film coating. Nanoscale chemical
Source:
reagents or catalysts are smaller yet they increase the rate of chemical re https://images.app.goo.gl/3EbAj7G1MerMR5HAA
actions, thus lessening the input of raw materials (Zhang et al., 2011).

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 Nano-Metrology
and Education and Public Awareness.

Challenges of Nanotechnology
The advantages
brought by innovations in
nanotechnology come with
a 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 micro
Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/rMreNCiNVr2XxeZa6
Nano contaminants plastics with both inorganic and organic

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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).

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, toxicological
analysis, transport risk, persistence risk, transformation risk, and ability to recycle (Zhang et al., 2011). This
is which is quite expensive due to the difficulty of detecting nanoparticles.

Ethical Dilemmas 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?

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 microorganisms that can decompose graphene to make it less toxic for the environment
(Zhang et al., 2011).

It is imperative, therefore, that experts and governments support themselves with enough
knowledge on how nanomaterials work for the benefit of society.

Activity 6. Our Share to a Nano Safe World

Instructions: Work with a partner. Review the potential hazards of nanotechnology that you learned in this
section. Then, propose a policy that addresses the potential hazards you identified. Use the
template below for your policy proposal.

1. Name of the Policy Proposal:

2. Proponents
a. Names:
b. Email
c. CP Number:
d. Course/Year:
3. Date:
4. Problem statement (100-200 words):
5. Policy statement (200-300 words):
6. Additional Information
a. Timetable for implementation:

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 LESSON 5: CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

Overview
This section reviews key concepts on climate change and its various impacts on society, and
weighs in on the local, regional, and global efforts to address it. It primarily aims to inculcate environmental
awareness among students.

Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Explain climate change and its adverse effects on the environment and society;
2. Promote the significance of disaster preparedness in the face of natural disasters, and
3. Discuss the value of conserving and preserving the environment to address the impacts of climate
change on society.

Motivation / Take-Off
Instructions: Examine the picture below. It was taken during the aftermath of Ondoy, the devastating
tropical storm that hit the Philippines in 2009. Form groups with four members each. Discuss among
yourselves how climate change is connected to environmental destruction. You may share with your
groupmates your memories of typhoon Ondoy in order to enrich your discussion. Alternatively, you may
share your own experiences or observations about the impacts of climate change on the environment.

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/hZJE8z5vWop8Ru45A

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 (CO,), methane (CH), and nitrous oxides (NO), and man-made gases such
as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur
hexafluoride (SF6).

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 Global warmin g 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 gases and the
increase in concentration of natural greenhouse
gases cause adverse global warming.

Deforestation is also pointed at as a

Emission of greenhouse gases
culprit to this adverse phenomenon. When forest
land is destroyed, CO, is released into the air, thus Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/9saYwjrvESY7movF9
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.

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/KrZbDH8PS9D3kSSr8
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
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 affect albedo, the ratio of the light reflected by any part of the 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.

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 1s a rise in global temperatures,
they started to appear 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 of ice caps can also cause sea levels to rise which may greatly affect low-lying
coastal areas where large populat ions 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.

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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 in the troposphere and causes respiratory problems in
humans. In this case, O3, becomes a criteria pollutant. Ozone depletion occurring in the stratosphere
therefore is a normal photolytic 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 (CI)
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  + O2 (Equation 5)
O3 + O  O2 + O2 ( Equation 6)

As an intermediate product, say X is Cl: ClONO, will be 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 CIONO2 reservoirs are exposed to direct sunlight when a part of the polar region
experiences six straight months of daytime, 24/7. The following reactions produce the obnoxious CI 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 + M  ClO + O2 (Equation 8)
OH + O3  HO3 + O2 ( Equation 9)

20  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 CI
(Rowland, 2006).

Although a direct relationship exists between global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion,
the correlation on the greenhouse gases as they contribute to creating the cooling conditions in the
atmosphere may lead to ozone depletion.

When SO2, and NO2, 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 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 retain water under
stress. The low pH level of soil also allows the rapid mobility of heavy metals present in the soil, i.e., Pb",
Cu", and Al", and thus, contaminates growing plants, which may then bio accumulate 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).

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Thermal Inversion
The major component of photochemical smog, peroxylacetyl nitrate (PAN), is a combination of
different criteria pollutants. PAN is a transporter of NOx, into 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 sources, 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. (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 droughts that threaten the supply of water
and destruction of crops affecting agriculture. Stronger El Niño and La Niña events also disrupt global
atmospheric circulation bringing colder winters, unusually heavy rains and flooding in desert areas, and
other weather abnormalities (News/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
many aspects of human life.

Environmental Awareness
One of the main culprits of climate change is increasing
CO2, 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 CO2,
Spaces that need air conditioning or heating should be sealed
to ensure adequate insulation 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 Light bulb energy saving statistics

incandescent bulbs. Using fuel-efficient vehicles with higher Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/vSUnL8GgGP3tMpmi9

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fuel economy performance is another way to lessen fossil fuel consumption (Denchak, 2017). There are
many ways to minimize the 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.

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that extends the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in which the 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 for 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 CO2, 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 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 reducing disaster risks, including projected climate
risks and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all levels.

Exercise 2. Climate Change and the Filipino Student

Instructions: Watch the video entitled PANAHON NA! Ang Hamon sa Pinoy at Climate Change on
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOJYCHA_PeA). Then, form groups with six members each.
Brainstorm ideas and create a five-minute explainer video about what an ordinary Filipino student like you
can do or contribute to battle against climate change. Ideas presented in the video must be the result of
your brainstorming. The video should have concrete steps that are doable.

LESSON 6: GENE THERAPY ( STEM CELLS)

OVERVIEW
What is Gene Therapy? It can be an experimental technique for correcting defective genes that are
responsible for disease development. The most common form of gene therapy involves inserting a normal

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gene to replace an abnormal gene. Approaches used such as the replacement of a mutated gene that
causes disease with a healthy copy of the gene. Inactivating or “knocking out” a mutated gene that is
functioning improperly. Introducing a new gene into the body to help fight against diseases
Researchers are studying gene therapy for a number of disease, such as: severe combined
immune-deficiencies (SCID), Hemophilia, Parkinson’s disease, Cancer, and HIV.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson the students are expected to:
 Describe gene therapy and its various forms
 Assess the issue’s potential benefits and detriments to global health
 Understand gene therapy and its use in genetic engineering.
 Modify a virus that can be used to safely to deliver gene therapies.

HANDS-ON ACTIVITY
Activity 1: Preventing the Zombie Apocalypse – Making Gene Therapy Safe!
Materials:
 Worksheet (for each student)
 Hot glue gun (with glue sticks)
 Virus Info Sheets; cut these sheets up to give one virus to each group)
 craft supplies students can use to build their virus such as:
 copy paper (for drafting a plan)
 Styrofoam in various shapes such as balls, sticks, or cubes
 cotton balls and polyester pom-pom balls, in assorted colors and sizes
 pipe cleaners, in assorted colors
 toothpicks
 magnets
 Velcro
 scissors
 adhesive tape
 markers

Pre-Requisite Knowledge: Be familiar with cells and cell membranes

INTRODUCTION
Many medical treatments provide live-saving therapy, but have harsh side effects for patients.
Think about radiation or chemotherapy in cancer patients. To reduce these side effects, engineers are
currently devising different ways to deliver medical treatment. One of these delivery methods uses viruses
as vectors to deliver the necessary treatment.

Viral vectors are tools commonly used to deliver genetic material into cells. This process can be
performed inside a living organism (in vivo) or in cell culture (in vitro). Viruses are used because they have
specialized molecular mechanisms to efficiently transport their genomes inside the cells they infect. Viral
vectors are studied for use in gene therapy and the development of vaccines.

Viral vectors are tailored to specific applications, but all vectors share the following properties:

Safety: Although viral vectors can sometimes be made from pathogenic viruses, they are modified in such
a way as to minimize the risk of handling them. This usually involves the deletion of a part of the viral
genome critical for viral replication. Such a virus can efficiently infect cells but, once the infection has taken
place, requires a helper virus to provide the missing proteins for production in the cell.

Low toxicity: The viral vector should have a minimal effect on the physiology of the cell it infects.
Stability: Some viruses are genetically unstable and can rapidly rearrange their genomes. Since this
instability can be harmful to the predictability and reproducibility of the work conducted using a viral vector,
these viral vectors not used.

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Cell type specificity: Most viral vectors are engineered to infect as wide a range of cell types as possible.
However, sometimes the opposite is preferred. The viral receptor can be modified to target the virus to a
specific kind of cell.

Identification: Viral vectors are often given certain genes that help identify which cells took up the viral
genes. These genes are called markers.

Based on what you have learned, today you will take on the role of engineers! Your goal will be to
“modify” a virus so that it will safely deliver gene therapy. Would you let your virus attack the whole body
and create mutations that will harm the human kind, or would you make a virus that will be able to select
which cells it can attach to and that will safely deliver treatment? You will start with a “wild type” virus (an
unmodified virus) and modify it to target a specific area of the body.

PROCEDURE
Background
Viruses are described as non-living infectious agents that are unable to grow or reproduce without
a host cell. They are non-cellular agents made up of genetic material and proteins and can reproduce
through the lysogenic or lytic cycle once attached to their host cell. Viruses are smaller than the smallest
cell in the body and are measured in nanometers (see Figure 1). In fact, viruses are so small that they did
not become visible until the creation of the electron microscope in 1931.

Figure 1. Some
viruses to scale
compared with
bacteria and red
blood cells.

Source:
https://www.teachengi
neering.org/activities/
view/rice-2368-gene-
therapy-design-
activity

Currently, even though viruses are described as “infectious,” many are being used in the field of
genetic engineering for gene therapy. But, what is gene therapy exactly? Gene therapy is an experimental
technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease. If successful, gene therapy could allow for the
treatment of certain diseases by inserting a gene into a patient’s cell instead of using drugs or surgical
methods. This could be done by using viruses as the vectors of the process, which will not only allow for
the introduction of a new gene, but it could also help in inactivating or replacing a mutated gene. To
achieve targeted gene delivery to damaged cells, peptide “locks” are introduced to the capsid of the virus.
These locks block the ability of the virus to deliver its transgene to the cells, but in the presence of specific
enzymes, the locks are removed by these enzymes and the virus can deliver its therapeutic payload to the
diseased cells, allowing for high specificity of delivery.

The process of inserting viral DNA sequences into the cell DNA is still very risky and many
scientists are currently researching how to make the process safe and more effective. One way to ensure
safety and effectiveness is to research the manner of viral attachment to the host cell. As mentioned above,

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viruses can replicate using two different methods the lytic cycle and/or the lysogenic cycle (see Figure 2
shown below).

Figure 2. Virus
replication via the
lytic and lysogenic
cycles.

Source:
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neering.org/activities/
view/rice-2368-gene-
therapy-design-
activity

A
specific virus used in gene therapy research is the Adeno-Associated Virus or AAV. This virus is 25
nanometers in size and belongs to the family Parvoviridae. AAV is non-pathogenic and needs a helper
virus in order to replicate. To attach to a cell, this virus utilizes proteins on its outer layer which match
perfectly- like a key in a lock- to the membrane of the host cell. Scientists are currently researching ways in
which they can modify the proteins on the membrane of the virus in order to add “locks”. These “locks” will
modify the outer structure of the virus, allowing it to only attach to the targeted cells.

Proteins on a
virus’s outer layer
match perfectly
with to the
membrane of a
host cell.

Source:
https://www.teachengi
neering.org/activities/
view/rice-2368-gene-
therapy-design-
activity

NOTE: Before the Activity , cut up the Virus Info Sheets by virus and fold in half.

SYNCHRONOUS MEETING
1. Slide 1: Introduce viruses to the students using the Challenge PowerPoint.

a. Ask the class to share their thoughts to the questions on Slide 2 with their group.
b. Distribute one Student Handout to each student.
c. Give students five minutes to complete the first section of the handout.
d. When students are done with the section, ask them to share their answers with the class.
e. After hearing student’s responses, read the explanation of viruses on Slide 3.
f. Use Slide 4 to go through the different types of viruses. Ask students what they notice about the
size of the cells. (Answer: they are smaller than a human red blood cell.)

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 g. Pose the following questions for students to think about for Slide 5: “How do viruses work? How do
they attach to cells? How do they infect their host?” Allow students a few moments to think about
these questions and share their thoughts.
h. Play Flu Attack! How A Virus Invades Your Body from NPR on Slide 6.
i. Explain what gene therapy is on Slide 7 and how it works on Slide 8. After discussing what gene
therapy is, ask the students if they think gene therapy is safe. Have them discuss with their groups.
Note: example to discuss would be genetically modified foods (GMOs) and if they are safe to eat.
j. Discuss current uses of viruses on Slide 9. This also has a question about the issue with using
viruses for gene therapy. Show Slide 10 to continue the discussion about the safety of gene
therapy.
k. Introduce the clip from the movie I am Legend in Slide 11 with the following questions: Why should
we worry about gene therapy? Ask the students if they have ever seen the movie “I am Legend”. In
this movie, a zombie apocalypse started due to the use of gene therapy for cancer.
2. Start the project:
a. Introduce the activity and constraints in Slide 12 (See Introduction/Motivation section).
b. Give each group a folded virus and refer to Slide 13 (from the cut-up Virus Info Sheets).
c. Once each group has received their virus, prompt them to start their research using the questions
on Slide 13.
i. Have them write their answers from their research in the Student Handout.
a. What type of virus do you have?
b. Is the virus pathogenic (dangerous)?
c. How does the virus attach to host cells?
d. Is there a specific host or cell that your virus attaches to?
Day 2

1. Finish research and model planning.

a. Monitor student progress. While students research, set a display of all the craft materials
that the students will be able to use in this project.
b. Once research has been gathered, instruct the following tasks (Tasks 1 and 2) using the
Challenge PowerPoint:

Task #1 (Slide 14):

1. Have students send a member of their team to the materials table and make a list of all the
materials that are available.
a. Let the students know that it would be a good idea to make a list so that they do not need to
continuously check which materials are available.

Task #2 (Slide 15):

1. Explain what the students will be creating:
a. How can they make their specific virus attach to only one type of cell so it can be used for gene
therapy?
b. Goal: Build a virus and demonstrate how, after “genetic” modification, the virus can attach to
one cell and not another.
c. Instruct students to make a sketch of what they will build:
i. 3D Model of “wild type” virus, or an unmodified virus. Show students Slide 15 for an
explanation of a wild type virus.
ii. Two types of cell membranes; remind students that viruses are much smaller than cells.
iii. 3D model of modified virus which will be able to attach to one type of cell membrane but
not the other.
d. Using the list of materials made in Task #1, have students create a list of the materials they will
need. Make sure you write down the exact number of each material needed.
e. Important note: get students to have their plan approved before they start their build!
Day 3
1. Use the Challenge PowerPoint to instruct students on Task 3:

Task #3 (Slide 16): Time to Build!

1. Instruct students to send one of their group members to select materials from the materials table.

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 2. Students will have 40 minutes to build their “wild type” virus, their modified virus and the two cell
surfaces.
a. Remind students to show how prior to modification the wild type virus can attach to both cells,
but after modification the virus is only able to attach to one cell.
3. Review final products and designs.
4. At the end, have students vote for their top three viruses and turn this activity into a competition
(optional).

Proteins on a virus’s outer layer match perfectly with to Source: https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/rice-2368-gene-therapy-

the membrane of a host cell. design-activity

SUMMARY
Students become
biomedical engineers and create
model viruses for use in
therapeutic applications, such as
gene therapy. In constructing
their models, students carefully
plan for side effects and modify a
virus that can be used to safely to
deliver gene therapy. This
process involves taking a “wild
type” (or unmodified) virus so it
can target a specific area of the
How viruses could introduce therapeutic genes
Source: body.
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view
into the human body. /rice-2368-gene-therapy-design-activity

Genetic engineering is the artificial manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA or other
nucleic acid molecules to modify an organism or population of organisms. Engineers who engage in this
field are highly trained experts who use a variety of molecular tools and technologies to rearrange
fragments of DNA. Their overall goal is to add or remove an organism's genetic makeup for the better, or to
transfer DNA code from one species into the other.

References
1. Quinto, E. J. M. (2019). Science, Technology, & Society: Outcome-Based Module (1st ed.). C & E
Publishing, Inc. Quezon City, Philippines.
2. McNamara, SJ. D. J., Valverde, V. M., & Beleno, III. R. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society
(1st ed.), C & E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City, Philippines.
3. Ballena, N. D. S., Bernal, R. D., Paquiz, L. G., Ramos, R. C., & Viet, L. C. (2004). Science.
Technology and Society. Trinitas Publishing, Inc., Trinitas Complex, Patoc Road, Pantoc,
Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines.

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