Chapter 3: Issues and

Concerns on Science and

Technology and its
impact to the Society

“As research and technology are changing society and

the way we live, scientists can no longer claim that
science is neutral but must consider the ethical and
social aspects of their work” - Maurizio

Learning Outcome:
 Analyze and critique specific issues and
concerns on Science and Technology and
its impact to the Society.

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Chapter 3.1 : The Effects of Assisted Human
Reproduction

Assisted Reproductive Technology also known as ART has given

hopes to millions of couples suffering from infertility but it has also
introduced countless ethical, legal and social challenges.

History of Assisted Reproductive Technology

Infertility has traditionally been an area of

medicine in which physicians had limited means to help their
patients. The landscape of this field changed dramatically
with the announcement of the birth of Louise Brown in 1978
through in vitro fertilization (IVF). This historic moment was
eloquently encapsulated by Howard Jones who observed
“Eleven forty-seven p.m. Tuesday, July 25, 1978, was surely a
unique moment in the life of Patrick Steptoe. This was the
hour and minute he delivered Louise Brown, the world’s first
baby, meticulously, lovingly, and aseptically conceived in the
laboratory, but popularly referred to as the world’s first test
tube baby”. The importance of this birth to scientists,
clinicians, and most particularly infertile patients throughout
the world cannot be overstated. In several short decades, IVF
has exploded in availability and use throughout the world.

Worldwide, more than 70 million couples are

afflicted with infertility. Since the first successful IVF
procedure in 1978, the use of this and related technologies
has expanded to become commonplace around the globe.
Over the past decade, the use of ART services has increased
at a rate of 5–10% annually.

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In Vitro fertilization

IVF is a form of assisted reproductive

technology (ART). This means special medical
techniques are used to help a woman become
pregnant. It is most often tried when other, less
expensive fertility techniques have failed.

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There are five basic steps to IVF:

• Step 1: Stimulation, also called super ovulation

Medicines, called fertility drugs, are given to the woman to boost egg
production. Normally, a woman produces one egg per month. Fertility drugs tell the
ovaries to produce several eggs. During this step, the woman will have regular
transvaginal ultrasounds to examine the ovaries and blood tests to check hormone
levels.

• Step 2: Egg retrieval

A minor surgery, called follicular aspiration, is done to remove the eggs
from the woman's body. The surgery is done as an outpatient procedure in the
doctor's office most of the time. The woman will be given medicines so she does not
feel pain during the procedure. Using ultrasound images as a guide, the health care
provider inserts a thin needle through the vagina and into the ovary and sacs
(follicles) containing the eggs. The needle is connected to a suction device, which
pulls the eggs and fluid out of each follicle, one at a time. The procedure is repeated
for the other ovary. There may be some cramping after the procedure, but it will go
away within a day.

In rare cases, a pelvic laparoscopy may be needed to remove the eggs. If a

woman does not or cannot produce any eggs, donated eggs may be used.

• Step 3: Insemination and Fertilization

The man's sperm is placed together with the best quality eggs. The mixing
of the sperm and egg is called [Link] and sperm are then stored in an
environmentally controlled chamber. The sperm most often enters (fertilizes) an egg
a few hours after [Link] the doctor thinks the chance of fertilization is low,
the sperm may be directly injected into the egg. This is called intracytoplasmic
sperm injection (ICSI).Many fertility programs routinely do ICSI on some of the eggs,
even if things appear normal.

• Step 4: Embryo culture

When the fertilized egg divides, it becomes an embryo. Laboratory staff will
regularly check the embryo to make sure it is growing properly. Within about 5
days, a normal embryo has several cells that are actively dividing. Couples who have
a high risk of passing a genetic (hereditary) disorder to a child may consider pre-
implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The procedure is done about 3 to 4 days after
fertilization. Laboratory scientists remove a single cell from each embryo and screen
the material for specific genetic disorders. According to the American Society for
Reproductive Medicine, PGD can help parents decide which embryos to implant.
This decreases the chance of passing a disorder onto a child. The technique is
controversial and not offered at all centers.
• Step 5: Embryo transfer
Embryos are placed into the woman's womb 3 to 5 days after egg retrieval
and [Link] procedure is done in the doctor's office while the woman is
awake. The doctor inserts a thin tube (catheter) containing the embryos into the
woman's vagina, through the cervix, and up into the womb. If an embryo sticks to
(implants) in the lining of the womb and grows, pregnancy [Link] than one
embryo may be placed into the womb at the same time, which can lead to twins,
triplets, or more. The exact number of embryos transferred is a complex issue that
depends on many factors, especially the woman's [Link] embryos may be
frozen and implanted or donated at a later date.
•

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• Issues and Concerns

Practice Regulations and Multiple Gestation Pregnancies

The transfer of multiple embryos in a single cycle increases the rates of

multiple births. Because of the increased social costs and health risks associated with
multiple births, legislation or guidelines from professional societies have been
introduced in many countries restricting the number of embryos that may be transferred
per IVF cycle in an effort to limit the incidence of multiple gestations.

Financial Aspect for IVF Treatment

Perhaps one of the most obvious ethical challenges surrounding ART is the
inequitable distribution of access to care. The fact that significant economic barriers to
IVF exist in many countries results in the preferential availability of these technologies
to couples in a position of financial strength. The cost of performing ART per live birth
varies among countries. The average cost per IVF cycle in the United States is USD
9,266. However, the cost per live birth for autologous ART treatment cycles in the United
States, Canada, and the United Kingdom ranged from approximately USD 33,000 to
41,000 compared to USD 24,000 to 25,000 in Scandinavia, Japan, and Australia. The
total ART treatment costs as a percentage of total healthcare expenditures in 2003 were
0.06% in the United States, 0.09% in Japan, and 0.25% in Australia . Some have
maintained that the cost for these cycles pales in comparison to the social advantages
yielded by the addition of productive members of society. This is especially true in
societies that have a negative or flat population growth rate coupled with an aging
population.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing

Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) and diagnosis (PGD) offer the unique ability to
characterize the genetic composition of embryos prior to embryo transfer. Given the
recent successes of these technologies, the broader implementation of this technology in
the future is likely. Although controversial, using PGD to choose embryos solely on the
basis of gender is currently being practiced. Sex selection in the proper setting may offer
a substantial health benefit. For example, choosing to transfer only embryos of a certain
sex may confer a therapeutic benefit if used to avoid a known sex linked disorder.
However, sex selection PGD
purely for the preference of the parents could conceivably, if practiced on a large scale,
skew the gender proportions in certain nations where one gender is culturally preferred.
In the near future, with refinements in microarray technology and the defining of genetic
sequences associated with certain physical characteristics, it is conceivable that specific
physical or mental characteristics may be evaluated to guide the decision as to which
embryos to transfer. This possibility raises concerns on both ethical and practical levels.
Of more concern is the possibility that in the future, technology will permit the
manipulation of genetic material within an embryo. Rigorous public and scientific
oversight of these technologies is vital to ensure that scientific advances are tempered
with the best interests of society in mind.

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Gamete Donation
Another ethical and legal issue surrounding the use of donated gametes is to
what extent the anonymity of the donor should be preserved. The issue of
anonymity as it relates to gamete and embryo donation is emotionally charged.
Indeed, the ability of human beings to know their genetic roots is universally
important, at the core of self
identity. Either egg and sperm donors may choose to or not to be anonymous,
though the vast majority in both groups generally chooses anonymity . The
American Society for Reproductive Medicine has identified four levels of gamete
donor information sharing depending on the wishes of the donor and recipient
parties. Recently, however, there is, increasing consideration of the rights of
offspring as it relates to donor gametes and anonymity. Advocates for allowing
either gamete donors or their offspring to break anonymity cite the medical
advantages of sharing medical information with their genetic offspring, in the
case of the donor, or learning about their genetic history directly, in the case of
offspring . Others simply argue that both donors and offspring have an inherent
right to meet and develop a relationship. Recent court rulings suggest that these
rights will become more visible in the future. The ethical and legal issues
surrounding anonymity and gamete donation are sure to be a centrally debated
issues within the field of ART for the foreseeable future.

Possible Deleterious Effects of ART

There are questions that remain outstanding regarding the use of IVF.
Conflicting data exists about the risks of IVF on the developing embryo. Multiple
studies have failed to find a clinically relevant association between IVF or
embryo cryopreservation and adverse maternal or fetal effects . Other studies
have suggested that infants of IVF pregnancies may be at a small but
statistically significant increased risk for rare epigenetic and other abnormalities
.Despite this controversy, there is a general consensus that IVF confers a small
but measurable increased risk for a variety of congenital abnormalities including
anatomic abnormalities and imprinting errors as compared to the general
population [63]. Some maintain, however, that this is secondary to an increased
baseline risk for these problems in the population of infertile patients.
Regardless of the cause, this small increased risk, while statistically significant
with extremely large sample sizes, will likely not be a powerful enough factor to
dissuade infertile couples from pursuing parenthood through IVF.

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 Activity 1: Short Response

• In not more than 1000 words, cite some examples of assisted human reproduction
and what are their impacts in the society. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of using these assisted human reproduction methods.

Criteria to be 4 3 2 1
Assessed
1. Ideas Writing Writing presents Writing presents Writing presents
successfully the topic in an the topic in an topic in an
presents the topic interesting way. ordinary way. ordinary way.
in a novel or Writing includes Writing includes Concrete details
unique way. good concrete concrete detail, but and commentary
Writing includes detail and some commentary is are either weak or
excellent and insightful obvious, simplistic, missing.
specific concrete commentary. or generic.
detail and
insightful
commentary.
2. Organization Writing has a Writing has a Organization is Writing is aimless
compelling and logical flow of rough but and disorganized.
logical ideas. workable. It
flow of ideas. sometimes gets off
topic.
3. Topic Paragraphs have Paragraphs have Paragraphs have Paragraphs lack
Sentences focused and focused topic topic sentences topic sentences
and poignant topic sentences and that need to be and transitions.
Transitions sentences and obvious more focused and
smooth, almost transitions. rough transitions.
seamless
transitions.
4. Description Writing consistently Writing shows Writing includes Writing uses all
and effectively rather than tell, some showing but telling and no
shows rather than but details could needs more. showing.
tells through be more specific
specific and vivid and vivid.
details.
5. Word Choice Writing uses words Writing makes Writing uses words Writing uses the
that are striking some quality but that are dull or same words over
and fresh but also some routine uninspired. and over. Some
natural, varied, and or ordinary word Writing sounds like words may be
vivid. choices. you are trying too confusing or
hard to impress. inappropriate.

6.. Grammar Writing uses proper Writing has a few Writing has enough Writing has
Usage grammar 100% of grammar grammar errors to numerous
and Sentence the time. problems. distract a reader. grammar
Fluency Sentences flow well Sentences flow Some sentences do mistakes and
and vary in well but do not not flow well poor sentence
construction and vary much. and/or are not construction that
length. varied at all. make the paper
hard to read.
7.. Spelling and Writing uses Writing has a few Writing has enough Writing has
Punctuation correct punctuation errors to fix, but errors in the essay numerous errors
and spelling 100% generally uses to distract a reader. that make the
of the time. correct paper hard to
conventions. read.

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Chapter 3.1.2 Mechanisms of action and effectiveness of
contraceptive methods

Method How it works Effectiveness: Effectiveness:

pregnancies per pregnancies per
100 women per 100 women per
year with year as commonly
consistent and used
correct use
Combined oral Prevents the
contraceptives release of eggs 0.3
7
(COCs) or “the from the ovaries
pill” (ovulation)
Thickens cervical
mucous to block
sperm and egg
from meeting and
Progestogen-only prevents ovulation
pills (POPs) or "the POP is a pill taken 0.3 7
minipill" to prevent
pregnancy. The
POP contains one
hormone -
progestogen
Thickens cervical
mucous to blocks
Implants sperm and egg 0.1 0.1
from meeting and
prevents ovulation
Thickens cervical
mucous to block
Progestogen only 0.2
sperm and egg 4
injectables
from meeting and
prevents ovulation
Monthly
injectables or Prevents the
combined release of eggs
0.05 3
injectable from the ovaries
contraceptives (ovulation)
(CIC)
Forms a barrier to
prevent sperm
Male condoms 2 13
and egg from
meeting
Forms a barrier to
prevent sperm 5
Female condoms 21
and egg from
meeting

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Method How it works Effectiveness: Effectiveness:
pregnancies per pregnancies per
100 women per 100 women per
year with year as commonly
consistent and used
correct use
is a surgical
procedure for male
sterilization or
permanent
contraception.
During the
procedure, the
male vasa
Male sterilization deferentia are cut
0.1 0.15
(Vasectomy) and tied or sealed
so as to prevent
sperm from
entering into the
urethra and
thereby prevent
fertilization of a
female through
sexual intercourse.
is a surgical
procedure for
female sterilization
in which the
fallopian tubes are
permanently
Female sterilization
blocked or 0.5 0.5
(tubal ligation)
removed. This
prevents the
fertilization of eggs
by sperm and thus
the implantation of
a fertilized egg.
Prevents the
Lactational
release of eggs
amenorrhea 0.9 (in six months) 2 (in six months)
from the ovaries
method (LAM)
(ovulation)
Prevents
pregnancy by
Standard Days avoiding
5 12
Method or SDM unprotected
vaginal sex during
most fertile days.

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Method How it works Effectiveness: Effectiveness:
pregnancies per pregnancies per
100 women per 100 women per
year with year as commonly
consistent and used
correct use
Prevents or delays < 1 for ulipristal
Emergency
the release of eggs acetate ECPs
contraception pills
from the ovaries. 1 for progestin-
(ulipristal acetate
Pills taken to only ECPs
30 mg or
prevent pregnancy 2 for combined
levonorgestrel 1.5
up to 5 days after estrogen and
mg)
unprotected sex progestin ECPs
The couple
prevents
pregnancy by
avoiding
unprotected Reliable
Calendar method
vaginal sex during effectiveness rates 15
or rhythm method
the 1st and last are not available
estimated fertile
days, by
abstaining or using
a condom.
Tries to keep
sperm out of the
Withdrawal (coitus 4
woman's body, 20
interruptus)
preventing
fertilization

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 Activity 2: Crossword Puzzle

1 3
2
4 5
1 2
6 3 7
4
8
9

10

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 ASSESSMENT TASK

A. Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the BEST answer.

1. This ART method is similar to IVF but the fertilized eggs are laparoscopically returned to
the fallopian tube and carried into the uterus.
A. ZIFT B. GIFT C. IVF D. Surrogacy
2. It is a method used by couples with male infertility. In this method, a single sperm is
injected into a mature egg then later on be placed in a petri dish.
A. ZIFT B. ICSI C. IVF D. GIFT
3. This a test used to characterize the genetic composition of embryos prior to embryo
transfer
A. Preimplantation Genetic Testing
B. Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer
C. Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
D. In Vitro Fertilization
4. The POP contains one hormone called
A. Androgen
B. progestogen
C. Estrogen
D. Auxin
5. A contraceptive method wherein the couple prevents pregnancy by avoiding unprotected
vaginal sex during the 1st and last estimated fertile days, by abstaining or using a condom.
A. Withdrawal
B. Calendar Method
C. vasectomy
D. Tubal ligation

B. Discussion:
1. Discuss briefly all the Assisted Reproductive Technology methods.

2. 2. Are you in favour in using these ART methods? Why or Why not?

Rubrics

Response 40%
Main/Topic Idea Sentence 40%
Mechanics and Grammar 20%
100%

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References:
Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers. 2018 World Health Organization
and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
Health. [Link]
[Link]?sequence=1
Kantorová V, Wheldon MC, Ueffing P, Dasgupta ANZ (2020) Estimating
progress towards meeting women’s contraceptive needs in 185
countries: A Bayesian hierarchical modelling study. PLoS Med
17(2):e1003026. [Link]
371/[Link].1003026
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.
Family Planning and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. New York:
United
Nations. [Link]
amily/familyPlanning_DataBooklet_2019.pdf
Family Planning Can Reduce High Infant Mortality Levels. Guttmacher
Institute. [Link]
_2-[Link]

Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

Online (synchronous)
//Google Classroom and Facebook group
Remote (asynchronous)
//module, exercises, problems sets and ppt lectures

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Chapter 3.2 : GM Products: Issues and Concerns and Ensuring
their Safety

As crop production expands to keep pace with human population

growth, many farmers have begun to rely on genetically modified crop plants.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens, is a type of bacteria that infect plants. This is used for
GM crops. Flavr Savr ( also known as CGN- 89564-2) was the first commercially
grown genetically modified tomato, engineered food to be granted a license for
human consumption.

In the Philippines, the commercial planting of Bt corn (MON 810) was

approved in the Philippines in December 2002. From 15, 000 ha in 2003, Bt corn
hectarage more than doubled to 50, 000 ha in 2004. Presently, the commercialized
GM crops in the country are Bt corn, herbicide-tolerant corn, and corn with traits
of Bt and herbicide tolerance.
In 2012, GM corn (Bt, herbicide-tolerant and stacked Bt and HT) was
planted to 800,00 hectares in the Philippines.
A ten-year study (2002-2012) conducted by Dr. Leo Gonzales, an
economist and president of SIKAP/STRIVE Inc. revealed the following:

- In terms of socio-economic impacts, compared with ordinary hybrid corn, Bt

corn had 19% higher yield, 10% less production cost, and 8% higher income;
- On environmental impacts, Bt corn farmers used less land (15%), fertilizers
(9%) and pesticides (54%)
- On macroeconomic effects, because of higher income from harvest, less
pesticides and labor used, income from seed, fertilizer and others, the overall
profit from the se of Bt corn over that of ordinary hybrid corn during the period
of 2002-2012 was Php 17.178 billion or US$ 399.5 million.

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Technological Issues:

1. Biosafety to the environment.

• a. possible effects on nontarget organisms such as beneficial insects, mammals,
wildlife or endangered species;
• b. possibility of gene flow to or crossing with other varieties, including native or
indigenous crops, or wild relatives;
• c. possible formation of resistant insect pests; and
• d. possible persistence or non-breakdown in the environment.
2. Food safety
a. possible allergenicity
b. toxicity
Social Issues
1. access to technology
2. ownership of GM technologies by multinationals
3. the “playing God” issue.

All throughout the world, 94 million hectares of GM crops were grown in

developing countries by 18 million farmers, more than 81 million hectares of GM
crops in industrial countries. In the Philippines, about 400,000 small farmers
planted GM corn in 800,000 hectares. For the first time, the Philippines is exporting
corn because of the Bt and Ht corn technologies. Thus, the issue of access to
technology is not valid since farmers can and do access the technology- buy GM
crop seeds, plant them and earn a profit.
While multinational corporations may own some of the GM technologies
like Bt- Ht corn, benefits accrue not only to the technology owner but also to the
local companies involved and their employees, the farmers and those that provide
support to the farmers, etc. From the China experience in planting Bt cotton, it was
shown that 70% of the profits went to the farmers and only 15% went to the
technology owners. Many technologies like cars, pharmaceuticals, computers,
cellphones and the like are developed by multinationals and we all benefit from
these.

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Biosafety and Risk Assessment

Biosafety is defined as the assessment of the impact and safety of products of

modern biotechnology or recombinant DNA technology and the development of policies and
procedures to ensure this.
Before any biotech product is approved for commercialization, it has to pass risk
assessment wherein hazards to health and environment which can be brought about by the
release of said product are identified. Moreover, the magnitude and the probabilities of its
possible adverse effects are also determined.

The components of risk assessment are as follows;

• 1. Risk identification- identifying the possible danger if the GM plant is handled, or eaten
as food or feed, or planted as a crop beyond that obtained when the traditional
counterpart is used.
• 2. Risk evaluation- what is the probability that such danger or hazard will occur? How
much damage can be expected from the occurrence of such danger? How will this
compare with other products?
• 3. Risk mitigation- what measures can be adopted to reduce the probability that the
danger will occur, or to minimize the damage if such danger occurs?
• Thus, risk assessment of various GM crops on its possible effects on the environment and
safety as food is required, addressing questions identified in the previous section.
• Any new modern agricultural biotech product has to undergo rigid risk assessment for its
safety to the environment and to human health before it can be commercialized.

The Concept of Substantial Equivalence

• The assessment of genetically modified food crops is based on the concept of substantial
equivalence first formulated by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) in 1993 and discussed and established by several technical expert
panels of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)/ World Health Organization
(WHO) of the United Nations in 2000 and Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2003. This
concept is based on the comparison of the transgenic crop with its conventional
counterpart that is generally accepted as safe because of its history of use as human
food. If there is not much difference, or if the difference is similar to the variation between
or among varieties of the crop, the transgenic crop is considered to be as safe as its
conventional counterpart.

• Since the commercial release of GM crops in 1996, there have been many published
scientific articles on the food safety assessment of GM food crops based on substantial
equivalence. Since 2009, such studies have been summarized and reviewed and have
shown that many transgenic crops are similar in composition with their conventional
counterparts using compositional analyses from simple proximate chemical to complex
transcriptone analysis. However, various studies have also revealed the large variability
in the composition of non-transgenic crops. Thus, while some groups oppose the use of
the concept of substantial equivalence to provide evidence for food safety of GM foods,
others believe that evaluation should be restricted only to potentially harmful
coonstituents which are known to be present in some crops and which could affect their
safety. Recently, an examination of 20-years data on compositional analyses of GM and
nontransgenic counterparts revealed overwhelming evidence that genetic engineering is
“less disruptive of crop composition” than traditional breeding and the authors concluded
that the requirement for compositional analysis may not be warranted.

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 Biosafety Regulation in the Philippines

The Philippine biosafety system under EO 430.

In 1990,the first biosafety system in the developing world was established in the
Philippines by Executive Order no. 430 signed by president Corazon C. Aquino wherein the
National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines was established to implement the
biosafety system .
In addition, the NCBP’s functions included the review and monitoring of research
and development involving genetically modified organisms (GMOs). NCBP, an
interdepartmental committee, consisted of the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Health (DOH), and the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The NCBP under EO 430 was attached to
DOST with the DOST Secretary as NCBP Chair.
From 1990 to 2002, the NCBP’s scope of mandate included research and
development in the laboratory, in the screen housed and in the field.
In April 2002, the Department of Agriculture issued Administrative Order No. 8
“Rules and Regulations for the Importation and Release into the Environment of Plant and
Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology.” The Bureau of Plant
Industry since then has led other agencies of the Department of Agriculture in processing of
applications for field tests, propagation, or for importation of regulated article, for
monitoring and other related regulatory activities.
The other agencies of DA that are involved in regulating GM or bioengineered
crops are as follows: the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) evaluates and registers
bioengineered crops with pesticidal properties; Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) evaluates
feed safety and the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards evaluates food
safety (BAFPS) of Primary and secondary-processed agricultural and fishery products.

The Philippine Biosafety system under EO 514.

In March 2006, EO 514 creating the National Biosafety Framework was approved
and implemented in 2009. The DOST Biosafety Committee is tasked with the regulation and
monitoring of contained experiments in the laboratory and screenhouse. The DA Biosafety
Team based at the Bureau of Plant Industry follows the procedures for field testing and
commercialization started under EO 430. It is involved in the processing of applications for
the entry of GM crops for food, feed and processing.

Lab research
Field work
Concept/ Strategy;
choice of Agronomic or Product Advance
gene(s)sources of horticultural traits Evaluation of food and
gene(s); environmental evaluation; genetic feed safely; safety to
or ecological stability; impact on environment
consideration of gene environment.
or product

Assuring the safety of GM products:

Regulation from lab to market

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R & D and commercial products involving GM technology are regulated from
laboratory research, to field work and to product advancement in the market.
Assessment is strictly science-based, conducted by the regulatory body and its
Scientific and Technical Review Panels and done on a case- by-case basis. There is
public consultation on any technology that will be field-tested or commercialized.

Activity 3: Think-Pair-Share

Look for a partner and discuss the different issues and concerns about the
GM Products and how can we assure the safety of our GM Products.
Rubrics
Please be guided by this criteria:
Response 40%
Main/Topic Idea Sentence 40%
Mechanics and Grammar 20%
100%

References:
Tecson-Mendoza EM (Ed.) 2014. Understanding Biotechnology. Second
Edition. National Academy of science and Technology-Philippine Science Heritage
(NAST-PSH) Foundation Inc., Manila, Philippines.

Trudo Lemmens & Andrew Flavelle Martin, "Introduction", in Trudo

Lemmens, Andrew Flavelle Martin, Ian Lee & Cheryl Milne, eds, Regulating Creation:
The Law, Ethics, and Policy of Assisted Human Reproduction (Toronto: University of
Toronto Press, 2017) 1 at 20

Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

Online (synchronous)
//Google Classroom and Facebook group
Remote (asynchronous)
//module, exercises, problems sets and ppt lectures

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 ASSESSMENT TASK

I. Multiple Choice
Instruction: Encircle the letter of the BEST answer.
1. The first Philippine biosafety system established under Executive Order no. 430
in 1990 created a government interdepartmental committee in charge of regulating
R&D involving GMOs called:
A. DA-BPI B. National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines
C. DOH- BFAD D. DA
2. All of these are ways in assuring the safety of GM products EXCEPT for?
A. Lab Research B. Framework
C. Field Work D. Product Advance
3. This committee was created to implement the biosafety system and to identify and
evaluate potential hazards in genetic engineering experiments or the introduction of
GMOs.
A. OECD B. DA
C. NCBP D. NAST PHL
4. Field testing and commercialization of GM crops in the Philippines are regulated
by:
A. DOST B. DTI
C. DA D. WHO
5. The NCBP Biosafety Committee is composed of :
A. DOST, DA, DENR, DOH
B. BPI, DOST, WHO, FAO
C. DENR, DOST, DOH, BPI
D. DOST, DA, DENR, BPI
II. Discussion:
1. Discuss how can one study the food safety and safety to the environment of crops

2. Discuss the different issues and concerns brought by GM Products.

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