UNIT I.

GENERAL CONCEPTS AND HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Alpha B. Gumayagay
Overview
There is a secure connection between science and technology with society, which began even in ancient times. The
historical development of science and technology was based on the needs and demands of the existing society. Unit I gives you
ideas on how science and technology evolved, starting from the ancient world until the present time of ‘Information Age’. The
unit will help you understand how social considerations changed the course science and technology. Additionally, you will
become aware of the different factors that increased and decreased science and technological advancements in the Philippines
and other countries.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. discuss how science and technology affect the environment and society;
2. discuss the factors which affect the advancement of science and technology;
3. identify the important persons throughout the history of science and technology, and discuss the importance of
science and technology in society.

Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: In order to meet the needs of ancient people, many technologies have emerged. Answer the following questions
based on your understanding of the ancient world.

1. What are the technologies that arose in ancient times? How were these technologies meet the needs of the primitive people?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Give examples of ancient technologies from which our modern day technologies evolved.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lesson Proper

Introduction to Science and Technology

What is Science?
‘Science’ can be explained into three definitions. First, science is a branch of knowledge that seeks to understand and
describe natural phenomena such as thunder, seed germination, and tidal waves. Second, ‘science’ is an intellectual activity
wherein it refers to the process of systematic and objective investigation of the natural world. Third, ‘science’ is a personal and
social activity in which it makes way for humans to have a better understanding of the world and their inner selves, realizing
that science is connected with everyone’s life and the society.

What is Technology?
‘Technology’ can be defined as an artifact from which it refers to products that are invented and are widely used by
people such as a printer, the computer, and television. Technology can be construed as a technique. It refers to processes that
benefit the different sectors of the economy, like grafting and hydroponics for agriculture, surgery, chemotherapy, biopsy, etc.,
in medicine. Technology can be described as personal and social activity. Technology serves as a tool to improve and facilitate
human living and social interaction with others.

1
Science and Technology
Science and Technology affect each other in ways from which they are needed so that each can be used successfully.
Science is required to progress technology as well as technology is necessary to improve science.

Science and technology is described as a personal and social activities, they also have dual interactions with society.

Ancient World
In early times, human ancestors used tools made from stones and woods as technology during the stone age. The use
of these progresses as the early hunters developed skills and techniques to make weaponry through fire. Interaction and
migration of people came to the development and advancement of this technology.

As population increases and food resources started to decrease, people switched from foraging to agriculture. Humans
started to cultivate the land to plant different crops and domesticate animals as sources of meat and milk products. This lead to
the Agricultural Revolution, which started primarily in the Middle East.

Through the Agricultural Revolution, many new plants and animals were cultivated and domesticated for human
consumption and feedstock. Humans started to use, and metal and ceramic products. Copper is the first metal known and used
by man in 6500 BC. In this period, human settlement through towns started.

Transportation was improved through the development of wheels. Ceramics was further utilized, and communication
prospered through the invention of writing. Also, many products made from bronze, copper, and iron began to emerge. This
preceded the rise of civilizations from which scientific knowledge and technological advancements further flourished through
the rise and improvement of bridges, roads, and agricultural irrigations.

Classical Antiquity
The present perception and concept of science started in this period of classical antiquity, which began in the center of
mediterranean sea interlocking between Greek and Roman civilizations. The Ionian School of Philosophy particularly
introduced the earliest form of the scientific method, which is based on observation and reasoning.

Many Greek philosophers who laid the foundation of modern-day science arose in this period. They are the ones who
used the basic foundation of the scientific method initially for the understanding of the natural world and the universe. The
significant philosophers of classical antiquity were Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

Socrates (470-339 BC)

Socrates built the basic foundation of making a hypothesis, which is the initial building block of the scientific method
for specific research in his known method of inquiry called elenchus. By applying this method, a specific problem or situation
was broken down into a series of questions that need to be answered.

Plato (427-37 BC)

Plato highlighted the concept of having ‘proof’ in research. He emphasized a clear hypothesis of understanding nature
and believed that all substances are made up of air, water, earth, and fire. Plato was a student of Socrates.

Aristotle (384-322 BC)

Aristotle initiated the discipline of using the deductive method of scientific inquiry. He established natural principles
as achieved through careful observation, which is also an essential component of the scientific method. Aristotle was a student
of Plato.

The center of scientific knowledge was established in the city of Alexandria in Egypt. In Africa, the Edwin Smith Papyrus,
one of the first important scientific texts about ancient surgery methods, was made. Another, the scientific discipline of
chemistry through the process of fermentation, distillation, and tanning, was also established.

The construction of the Great Wall of China was one of China's technological achievements at that time.

Middle Ages
The progression of science and technology turned to decrease due to the onset of diseases, poverty, wars, and scarcity
of food resources at the middle ages during 530 AD.

2
 The rise of Christianity in Europe was also considered a factor in the decline of science. The strong hindrance of the
Church about early philosophers and scientists' teachings and ideas greatly impacted the development of science and
technology. The Roman Empire, from 530 AD to 1000 AD, was not so much interested in theoretical science.

As science seemed to decline in Europe, medicine remained and grew due to an important need. The deadly plague
ravaged Europe, and Christians felt the need to further their knowledge of medicine to develop a cure. On the contrary, the
outbreak of the deadly disease that devastated Europe and Christians paved the way to escalate the field of medicine to develop
a cure or vaccine.

Due to this, the center of science and technology was shifted to Asia, specifically in China and nearby countries. In India,
for example, astronomy, medicine, and mathematics became well-advanced. One of their important contributions is the
significance of the number zero in mathematics. Another to be considered is the onset of Islamic civilization from which through
this civilization, new techniques, new chemicals such as borax, and new astronomical table for the calculation of planetary
positions, eclipses, and calendrical information was established. In the field of medicine, new instruments and treatment
procedures were developed. However, there is a failure to advance the area of anatomy as Islam disallow the process body
autopsy during that time.

Emperor Charlemagne revived science in Europe wherein, he ordered the establishment of schools that became centers
of knowledge and discovery. Other advancements in science and technology during the middle ages include the development of
clocks and moving objects and the utilization of water and wind as sources of electricity.

The latter part of the Middle Ages was considered to be the Age of Discovery and Exploration. These explorations were
made possible through the advancements in science and technology. Two of the most important developments were ships made
for long voyages and the compass's invention. The progress in geography and cartography became so famous as human societies
spread after The Black Death in Europe.

Modern Age
The need for Europe’s revival became more advantageous for science and technology. This marked the end of the
Middle Age and the start of the Modern Age. The beginning of the modern age hastens technological advancements, primarily
for defense and trade. Many technologies were taught in universities.

Renaissance is a cultural movement that is based on humanism, which a system of intellectual movement emphasizing
the value of humans than supernatural powers. During this period, many artists also became scientists such as Leonardo da
Vinci. In the latter part of the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution and foundation of England’s Royal Society emerged, giving
rise to a more organized community. Benjamin Franklin and Sir Isaac Newton and are the two significant members of the society.

The Scientific Revolution advanced the field of astronomy due to the invention of the telescope. The astronomers,
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1573) became the center of controversy due to his model of the heliocentric universe, which was
opposed by the church. This opposition marked the so-called Copernican Revolution, a shift from a geocentric view of the
universe to a heliocentric model with the Sun at the center of the Solar System.

The invention of the microscope significantly advanced science during the Renaissance period. Through the use of
microscope, many microorganisms were identified and the many types of diseases associated with them. This gave rise to the
formulation of antibiotics to prevent infections and inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was noted to be the leading figure of the Scientific. He introduced experimentation using
the scientific method and led the development of modern science, making him the "father of the scientific method” and the
"father of modern science". He invented many equipment and devices as well as many mathematical explanations to natural
concepts.

The publication of Carolus Linnaues’ works on the biological classification made him the “father of taxonomy”.

This age is also known as the period of ‘Enlightenment’, which highlighted the importance of logical reasoning. This
was a shift from the Renaissance dominated by the teachings of the Church and the early Greek and Roman philosophers. Sir
Isaac Newton (1643-1727) worked on Principia, which established the foundation of modern-day physics. He developed
theories from observations and experiments and used the scientific method in the understanding of the natural world.

3
 The invention of the steam engine by James Watt (1736-1819) in 1765 made many industrial processes possible.
Because of this, many other machines that made things faster and more efficient were invented and paved the way for the
Industrial Revolution.

However, the Industrial Revolution's progression led to the rapid destruction of the environment because of the
pollution caused by these industries. To obtain wood for charcoal, many forests were destroyed. Large industries collected many
natural resources and minerals to continue their operation. Industrial wastes polluted rivers and other bodies of water. Many
disputes came during this period between the science community and the society for the green environmental movement.

The theory of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace became very controversial and was opposed
by the church and the general community. However, this theory was considered and accepted as a milestone in the field of
biology.

During the 19th century, there were more collaboration efforts among scientists which gave rise to more discoveries
and inventions. The communal between scientists paved the way to advanced science faster than the previous centuries. These
scientific and technological advancements highly impacted society. Many new lifestyles, habits, and recreations appeared due
to advancements in communication, transportation, entertainment, and wardrobe economy. The demand for more technologies
further expanded, and many people migrated to cities. Many workers became more skilled and knowledgeable in their chosen
fields.

Scientific and technological advancements also gave way for the invention of explosive weapons such as atomic bombs,
nuclear bombs, and dynamites. These developments led to more deaths and casualties during warfare.

The invention of plastics in the 1940’s and 1950s led to the development of new appliances and products made from
plastics. However, plastics became a problem to the environment as significant pollutants affect wildlife habitat and humans
because of its deficient ability to degrade.

The discovery of the DNA structure in1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick with the aid of Rosalind Franklin
advanced the field of genetics and molecular biology, leading to the development of gene therapy and genetic engineering.

The period of the Agricultural revolution occurred in 1940 with the development of the pesticide
Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane or more commonly known as DDT. Other inventions that greatly helped this period were
hybrid seeds, organic/inorganic fertilizers, and farm machinery equipment. The agricultural revolution helped the economy,
especially the farmers, largely because of better food production. However, DDT was found out to destructive impacts on
biodiversity and health. Hence, many movements for the environment emerged as society’s response.

Moreover, the development of the internet, computers, softwares, and other digital technologies marked the beginning
‘Digital Revolution’ or ‘Information Age’. These technologies also paved way for crowdsourcing, cyber warfare, e-commerce,
and distance learning. The digital revolution has greatly affected the public. Nowadays, many people became addicted to using
electronic games and social media.

In the Philippines
Here in the Philippines, the history of science and technology is not clear. However, based on archaeological findings,
primitive Filipinos have simpler technology than neighboring countries in Asia, such as China and India. Simple stones and metal
tools were used, which gave rise to the development of ceramics, potteries, weavings, handicrafts, and other devices.

Since water bodies surround the Philippines, Filipinos created good technology in shipbuilding in 1000 AD. These ships
were used for transportation, trading, and fishing.

In the 16th century, artillery was used by the Filipinos during their battle against Spaniards. These good weapons
include bows, spears, and swords. The agricultural industry became a good source of income through practices such as rice
farming, crop production, livestock raising, and fishing, and forestry.

The onset of modern science and technology in the Philippines came upon colonization of the Spaniards. Science as a
profession arose after establishing schools, hospitals, and research facilities that were controlled by religious sectors at that
time. However, the research discoveries and technologies were for the benefit of Spain's colonial government, not for the
Filipinos. The Church was so influential and dominant in those times that the study of natural sciences was discouraged.

4
 During the Spanish time, there were only limited science courses available for the Filipinos. Successful Filipino
scientists went to Europe to gain study and training. Some of these scientists were Leon Ma. Guerrero, Anacleta del Rosario, and
Trinidad Pardo de Tavera. However, the science profession did not grow well as the colonial government preferred Spanish
scientists over Filipinos.

The end Spanish regime developed only two science professions, the medicine, and pharmacy professions since the
Philippines also became a predominantly agricultural country. Industrial sectors such as the sugarcane and tobacco industry
were modernized due to the entry of foreign technology and investments. At the same time, other areas, such as weaving,
declined because of a lack of support from the government.

Science and technology in the Philippines rapidly advanced due to Americans. During the American settlement in the
country, secularized public schools were established wherein the early educators were Americans. The University of the
Philippines and the Philippine Normal College (now the Philippine Normal University) were established. Scientific knowledge
and many technological advancements were taught primarily in those universities.

In 1905, the main research facility in the country until World War II was established. This was the Bureau of Science
responsible for doing researches about science and technology. Since leprosy, dengue, and malaria were the most frequent or
common diseases, researchers focused on the development of the cure for such diseases. In 1906, the Philippine Journal of
Science was established to report scientific findings and observations of Filipino scientists.

The ‘National Research Council of the Philippines’ was established in 1933 to promote scientific research. However,
despite the increase in the number of scientists and engineers of the country, the Philippines still relied heavily on agriculture
due to its vast resource of tropical crops. During the Commonwealth period, the government-supported many industries which
made scientific productivity came to increase. Many Filipinos went abroad for post-graduate studies until World War II stopped
the scientific and technological progress.

In 1947, the Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of science. In 1952, the Science Foundation of the
Philippines was established to promote science among Filipinos.

After World War II, scientific and technological development was revived. Because of this, more institutions for higher
education were established. Science and technology in the country further developed due to increased government support and
higher public awareness. More scientists, scientific researches, and scientific organizations grew and came up. However, the
Philippines is still behind its neighboring Asian countries in terms of scientific outputs. One of the reasons for these is that
Filipinos' general performance in science and mathematics is generally not good.

Based on a study done in 1957, there were four key reasons for the sudden decline of science and technology in the
Philippines. These four key reasons include the
1. lack of government support,
2. many outstanding scientists have died or went abroad,
3. low morale among local scientists, and
4. low awareness about general public science.

References

Bandhari, S. (2017). Top 10 Contributions of Aristiotle in scientific Field. Retrieved january 20, 2019, from Still [Link]:
[Link]
Bunch, B., & Hellesman. A. (2004). The History of Science and Technology. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Caoli, O. C. (1986). A History of Science and Technology in the Philippines. Diliman, Quezon City, University of the Philippines Science Research
Foundation.
Department of Science and Technology. (2014, April 26). About History and Logo. Retrieved January 2o, 2019, from Department of Science
and Technology: [Link]
Jan, D., & Haward, H. (2006). Science & Technolgy Historical Timeline. Retrieved January 20, 2019, from Bridge Online: [Link]
[Link]/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/38_science_and_technology.pdf
McClellan III, J. E. & Dorn, H. (2015). Science and Technology in World History: An Introduction (r3d ed,) Baltimore,
McGinn, R. E. (1991). Science, technology, and society. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: prentice hall, 301 pp,,
Nebres, B. F. (2007). Building a Science Culture in the Philippines. Trans. Natl. Acad. Sci. & Tech. Philippines, 29, 177-196.
Offor, f. (2012). Socrates, science and Technology. Canadian Social Science, 8(4), 101-107
Weisstein, E. (n.d.) Plato. Retrieved January 20, 2019, from Wolfram Research:
[Link]
5
Assessing Learning

Activity 1
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: The following grid contains terms names associated with science and technology. Look for them in any directions
and encircle. (20 pts.)
G A L I L E O G A L I L E I B C S Q W E
B V Z N A S E T A R C O S D E F C R T Y
U X Z A S D F G O W W S O X C H I N A T
I N F O R M A T I O N A G E R A E B B I
I C H P I N C H C R O U T E A R N I C E
R E N A I S S A N C E L P J E W C W E L
O V J Q A J U L I B R H A N G E E L Y P
P B K A D A R U T E C H N O L O G Y A L
A N L S W I N S N G S I A N G G E R N A
S M W S O M E O A R W O R L D W A R I T
C L A S S I C A L R R M I E L U I G U O
D M E D A N E A A M A S C H O O L S Y F
F N R F A G A D Y A L P H A O M E S R A
E U R O P E S T O N E G A O I N D I A R
G B T G E E L D A N G I J A Y E M A M M
H V Y Y L R L I N N A E U S N E L L E I
J C U R K A N C P N Y A N A T I E N T N
K X A A N C I E N T W O R L D C E I A G
L H I P H E T A S V H T A E D K C A L B
C Z O J I R S E N I P P I L I H P T U E

Activity 2
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Briefly answer the following questions.

1. What were the problems of the society that science and technology wants to address?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the significance of these advancements in science and technology?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What are the negative impacts of these advancements in science and technology in the society?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. If you are given a chance to change a certain invention, what will be your suggestion or other idea?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6
 Activity 3
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Write an essay on each of following questions. (Minimum of 100 words, and maximum of 200 words). Use a separate
piece of paper if necessary.

[Link] COVID-19 pandemic has displayed the interconnection of society around the world. This coronavirus is considered the
greatest challenge of science and technology after world war II. What do you think is the effect of COVID-19 on the environment,
now and in the future? What is society's role in helping the science and development research sector prevent the spread of the
virus? What is the role of science and technology to attain social protection and sustainable economy while providing solutions
for COVID-19, such as making vaccines and medicines?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Link] are the impacts of science and technology in society in terms of economy, leisure, employment, or unemployment? What
do you think are the responsibilities of science and technology in society. In your own opinion, does public trust in science and
technology matter during times of pandemic? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNIT II. INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTION THAT DEFINED THE SOCIETY

Olympia O. Riogelon
Overview
In the previous unit, you have learned how scientific and technological development affects society. You became
familiar with the interactions of science, technology, and society through antecedents of history. Thus, you fully understood now
a glimpse of concepts on STS historical development.

In this unit, you will learn about the development of science and scientific ideas in society. Activities included will allow
you to figure out the different intellectual revolutions like Copernican, Darwinian and Freudian, and other intellectual
revolutions that shaped the society. In this unit, you will also appreciate the various contributions of some selected great
civilizations found on the world that adds transformation to the science and technology that build significant changes to the
heart of the society.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. differentiate intellectual revolution to scientific revolution;
2. analyze intellectual revolutions like Copernican, Darwinian and Freudian; and
3. appreciate contributions of some selected world civilizations like in Mesoamerican, Middle East, African and Asian
Civilizations.

7
Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: The following grid contains 10 words associated with intellectual revolution. Find and encircle them. Look for them
in all directions including backwards and diagonally.

N I C H O L A S C O P E R N I C U S R S K H
G X O L L E U I X P L I X O A H H U N T N I
S M M P R J W Q C H J Q K U B I F P A U P N
O N P R U B B E R B A L L S C N K E I D W D
E X U M S D O L Q Z X F I Y D A J R D V Q U
A C Q B L A W C O D E S K M W M L E U W O I
K B H O W V O F Y P O M K N E P M G E X G S
W L K G Q R Z W K T I N L O X A O O R Y E M
C H A R L E S D A R W I N W G S P Q F Z K L

Lesson Proper

Intellectual Revolution vs. Scientific Revolution

Frontlearners Module (2019) defined Intellectual Revolutions as the historical changes in thoughts, beliefs, and social
institutions due to new ideas and principles like Copernican, Darwinian, and Freudian. It may also refer to the historical period
when science became more important and influential during the Middle Ages. Intellectual Revolution also considered a golden
age in the history of science because it marked the birth of science as a discipline wherein many scientific ideas and discoveries
were developed. Meanwhile, Frontlearners Module (2019) cited that when science and technology are the centers of an
intellectual revolution, it can be called then as a Scientific Revolution.

Some Intellectuals Who Made Essential Contributions in Science during the Period of Scientific Revolutions:
❖ Nicholas Copernicus (Copernican) – developed a model of the universe in which everything moved around a single
center at unvarying rates. He placed the sun in the center of the universe, and all the planet were surrounding or
orbiting it. Copernicus’ Model of planets orbiting around the sun automatically positioned the planets into a logical
sequence [Ang, R., Cruz, J., et al. (2018)].

Heliocentric Model – adopted to used to prove the idea that the sun is the center of the solar system.

❖ Charles Darwin (Darwinian) - His theory of evolution by natural selection (process) is instrumental in many fields until
now. Content of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. All organisms are related and have descended from a common ancestor.
Variation in a population helps different species to survive. The animals that do survive and reproduce are better-
adapted organisms (survival of the fittest). A random genetic mutation occurs within an organism's genetic code, aid
survival [Ang, R., Cruz, J., et al. (2018)].

❖ Sigmund Freud (Freudian) - developed the idea of psychoanalysis that helped in understanding human behavior,
especially neurological conditions. Human actions result from the interactions among three parts of the mind: id, ego,
and superego [Ang, R., Cruz, J., et al. (2018)].

➢ Id – part of the personality that is present at birth; primitive personality existed within unconscious.
➢ Super ego - include the ideas of right and wrong acquired from society and the culture. Overpower the urges
of the id and tries to make the ego morally, rather than realistically. Composed of people's internalized ideals
acquired from parents and society.
➢ Ego – less primitive than the Id, partly conscious and unconscious. It facilitates the demands of the Id, superego
and reality. - It prevents people from acting on the basic urges created by the id and works to balance their
moral and idealistic standards created by the superego.
8
Information Revolution
Accompanied the history of mankind and began as early as 3000 BC with Sumerian Pictographs. - Triggers profound
changes both in the way of lives and, in a way, perceive the self as human beings[Ang, R., Cruz, J., [Link] (2018)].

Milestone on Information Revolution are:

o 1455, Johannes Gutenberg’s invention on printing press.
o Early 1830s, Charles Babbage worked on Analytical Engine.
o During 1870s, Invention of the first telephone.
o During World War II, Alan Turing refining the concept of algorithms and computation using the Turing Machine. He
contributed to the Turing test concerning the possibility of developing a conscious and thinking machine in Artificial
Intelligence.

Science provided different ancient civilizations the means to survive and understand the natural and physical world. Helped
humans to develop various technologies used in everyday tasks. Cited below are some ancient civilizations and their significant
contributions that defined the society [Ang, R., Cruz, J., [Link] (2018)].

Mesoamerican Civilization
- Located in the region and cultural area in the Americas - Contributed greatly in agriculture ( as early as 7000 BC)
- Transition from hunter-gatherer tribal groupings to the organization of sedentary agricultural villages.
- Main food sources were beans, corns, & squash (a triad of products known as the “three sisters”; introduce the
rotational crops and slash-and-burn aided in retaining the nutrients in the soil.
- Value cacao as an essential crop because it is used as a trade currency and in rituals.
- Cotton plant & rubber trees used for making culturally significant products like textile (vibrant colors) and rubber balls
(used in performance games) due to ritual significance.
- Created chinampas (plots of mud and soil placed on top layers of thick water vegetation)
- First to use irrigation techniques.
- First one to create calendar (like civil calendar or Haab and Tzolkin Calendar).

Asian Civilization
- Asia bore 2 of the world’s great early civilizations: From India & China
- Birth of the two world’s known religion: Hinduism & Buddhism.
- In Hinduism, based on Vedas (4 sacred books; believed written by Aryan People); People believed to be divided into a
“caste system”; Priests called Brahmans (ranked highest) and the “untouchables” as lowest.
- In Buddhism, praise Buddha (meaning “The Enlightened One”) who is in the person of Siddharta Gautama (believed
that human greed and selfishness lead to human pain).
- Another religion Confucianism, developed along the Huang Ho riverbank in Northern China, based on the teaching of
Confucius.
- Created the Great Wall of China, built to protect from invasions of “barbarians” from other parts of Asia.

Middle East Civilization

- Considered as the home to the “Cradle of Civilization” (seen world’s oldest culture and civilization).
- First to practice intensive year-round agriculture and currency-mediated trade as opposed to barter.
- Gave the rest of the world the first writing system.
- Laying the foundation for astronomy and mathematics.
- Created the first generalized government and law codes.
- Invented the clay cylinder seals (on which little pictures of objects could be recorded.
- Early writings evolved from pictures baked on clay tablets.

African Civilization
- According to some historians, Africans were nothing more than savages whose only contributions to the world were
farming and slaves.
- Lineage and culture of achievements emerged at least 40,000 years ago in Africa. Some were the following
• Developed modern concepts in mathematics like the first method of counting.
• People in present-day Zaire and Yoruba (now Nigeria) developed Numeration system 8,000 years ago.
• In the Yoruba, the system lauded this system because it required much abstract reasoning. African Stonehenge (in
present-day Kenya) constructed around 300 BC the remarkably accurate calendar.
• Meanwhile, Dogon people of Mali have various astronomical discoveries like Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moon, the
spiral structure of the Milky Way, and the orbit of the Sirius Star.
9
 • They built great architectural Monuments along the Nile like Great Pyramid of Giza, Great Sphinx of Giza, great
cities like in Zimbabwe & Mozambique (made of massive stone complex and huge castle-like compounds existed).
• The Empire of Mali boasted impressive cities, including Tumbuktu with grand palaces, mosques & UNIVERSITIES
in the 13th century.
• In Medicine, some practices were: use of plants with salicylic acid for pain, kaolin for diarrhea, and extracts that
confirmed to kill Gram-Positive bacteria.
• Other plants used had anticancer properties, caused abortion, and treated malaria.
• Some medical procedures performed in ancient Africa: Vaccination, autopsy, limb traction and broken bone setting,
bullet removal, brain surgery, skin grafting, filling of dental cavities, installation of false teeth, anesthesia and tissue
cauterization.

References

Ang, R., Cruz, J., et. al. 2018. Science, Technology and Society. Muntinlupa City: Panday-Lahi Publishing House, Inc.
Alata, E.J., Pawilen, G.,[Link]. 2018. Science, Technology and Society. First Edition. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.
[Link] 4/20/2020

Assessing Learning

Activity 4
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: One of the focus of intellectual revolution is to highlight the different scientific ideas that define the present society.
Have you ever ask yourself about the relationship of science and society? With this, answer briefly the following questions by
writing on spaces provided: (5 points each)

1. As student, how do you see connection between science and society?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How science shaped the society?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Cite two (2) scientific ideas that defined our society.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 5
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Using Venn diagram answer/ differentiate the following:

10
 A. Intellectual Revolution and Scientific Revolution

B. Positive and Negative influence of Intellectual Revolutions like Copernican, Darwinian and Freudian to the society.

C. Pros and cons of knowing some of the contributions of selected world ancient civilizations like in Mesoamerican, Middle
East, Africa and Asian Civilizations.

Activity 6
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Before you begin writing, read the passage carefully and plan what you will say. Your essay should be as well
organized and as carefully written as you can make it.

Discuss your insight on the quotation made by Charles Darwin: “It is not the strongest the species that survive nor the most
intelligent but the one most responsive to change.” Write your answers on the spaces provided.

Scoring Guide:
Focus = 30%
Organization = 30%
Sentence Fluency and Word Choice = 20%
Conventions = 20%__
Total =100%

11
 Activity 7
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: As an STS student, create your poem with at least 5-stanza using the free verse format. Your objective is to show your
understanding and appreciation of any of the different scientific ideas cited under the intellectual revolution that you have
learned in this unit. The challenge is how you will show the positive and negative impact of your selected topic to us.

You will be graded base on the following:

Content = 40%
Originality = 30%
Neatness/clarity of the poem = 20%
Creativity =10%__
Total: 100%

UNIT III. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING

Julius Jay N. Rodriguez
Overview
This module gives you an idea about the general concepts of Science and technology and its importance in building the
nation. Having a strong science and technology foundation will help to achieve significant breakthroughs. Various significant
changes that happened in the society are brought about by Science and its technology.

But what does happen to Science and technology in the Philippine setting? Let us look at it very carefully.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. discuss the role of Science and technology in Philippine nation-building;
2. evaluate government policies on Science and technology in terms of their contributions to nation-building;
3. identify the government's actual science and technology policies and appraise their impact on the Filipino nation;
and
4. cite the importance of science-related programs and projects in the development of the Philippines economy.

Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: Science and technology plays an integral part in human development and society. With this stance, answer the
following questions on spaces provided.

1. Why is science and technology important in nation building?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How can science and technology help build our nation?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12
Lesson Proper

Importance of Science and Technology in Building the Nation

Science and Technology (S&T) are fundamental for social and economic progress in developing countries. It is a well-
established fact that Science and technology impact all aspects of our lives and the planet we live in. The Science and technology-
induced changes have, for the most part, benefited humankind. However, science and technology-based innovations have been
overused and misused that may harm humanity, pursued wealth and power, or both, which is the responsibility of all concerned
to ensure that science and technology are used responsibly for the good of humankind. (Ratnasiri, 2006).

In the Philippines, the critical role of Science and Technology is recognized: (1) In the 1987 Philippine constitution,
Science and technology are given priority to "foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total
human liberation and development."; (2) In section 10, Article XIV, it is stated that "Science and technology are essential for
national development and progress."

Philippine Government Science and Technology Agenda

How the Philippine Government manages and develops Science and technology through its policies and program? The
government mandates an "increase use of scientific and technological breakthroughs." The government aims to do this by
"promoting and accelerating technology adoption" and stimulating innovation." It is based on the Philippine Development Plan
2017-2022.

The Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST; Kagawaran ng Agham at Teknolohiya) is the Philippine
government's executive agency responsible for organizing science and technology-related programs, Philippines, and for
formulating science and technology policies and initiatives to promote national growth. This agency established to "provide
central guidance, leadership, and coordination of research and technical activities and ensure that the findings from such
activities are directed and used in areas of full economic and social benefits for the people." DOST is composed of three (3)
sectoral planning councils, seven (7) research, and development institutes, two (2) collegial bodies, six (6) service institutes,
and several regional and provincial offices (Department of Science and Technology, 2014)

Each of DOST 's programs, projects, and activities aims to produce the following outcomes.
1. Stimulation and innovation
2. Promotion and acceleration of technology adoption
3. Development of critical mass of globally competitive human resources on Science and Technology
4. Increased productivity and efficiency of micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs)
5. Ensure resiliency to disaster risks and climate change
6. Reduced inequality in science and technology capacities and opportunities
7. Achieve practical science and technology governance

Major Development Programs and Personalities in Science and Technology in the Philippines
Balik Scientist Program
Our Science and Technology workers' continued migration abroad has led to brain drain in our country. The
Department of Science and Technology has improved the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) to reverse the brain drain. The Balik
Scientist Act of 2018 or RA 11035 signed by the President last June 2018. This program aims to sustain and make the program
more attractive to Philippine scientists working and residing abroad.

The Balik Scientist Program encourages scientists, technologists, and experts from the Philippines to return to our
country, to share their expertise for the country's technological, agro-industrial, and economic growth, including building
human resources in science, technology, and innovation. As of December 2017, 497 scientists served under the program. Most
of our National Artists came from Asia, North America and, a few from Europe, Australia, and Africa (Dimailig, 2019)

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARD),
Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), and Philippine
Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) are the three DOST councils responsible for the engagements of the BSP
awardees.

Order of National Scientist

The award Order of National Scientists is the highest distinction for a Filipino by the President of the Republic of the
Philippines, with exceptional scientific and technical achievements. The difference instituted in 1976 through Presidential
Decree 1003-A, which created the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) as the country's highest recognition
13
and advisory body in Science and technology. NAST recognizes national scientists annually for outstanding individual or joint
accomplishments in Science or technology and gives the President the rank and title. Executive Order 236 lifted the status of
National Scientists into the Order of National Scientists in 2003. (University of the Philippines Diliman, 2020)

As of 2018, there are 41 National Scientists. Two of them are engineer agriculturist Ramon Barba and biologist Angel
Alcala.

Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)

SETUP stands for Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program is one of the flagship programs of
DOST. SETUP is a national strategy aimed at encouraging and assisting small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting
technology innovations to improve their operations, thus boosting their productivity and competitiveness. The program helps
businesses to tackle their technological challenges through technology transfer and development interventions.

According to DOST, in 2018, the companies supported by SETUP produced: 42,853 jobs, P 8.344 billion cumulative
gross sales, and 41% productivity increase, a total of 20635 technology inventions, and There 773 projects funded.

Grants-In-Aid Program
The Grants-In-Aid (GIA) is one of the programs of the Department of Science and Technology that aims to harness the
country's scientific and technical capacities to promote sustainable economic growth and development. The GIA program is
structured by funding related science and technology (S&T) undertakings to contribute to Filipinos' productivity and quality of
life through the generation and promotion of appropriate technologies. It also aims to reinforce participation, transfer, use of
technology, human resources development, dissemination of information, advocacy, and linkages.

The GIA program offers grants for implementing programs/projects defined in the current DOST priorities and thrusts
and supports S&T activities classified under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Forest Products Research and Development Institute

The Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) researches forest products from wood and non-
wood. It is the center of applied technologies in the country for the utilization of forest products.

Legal Basis:
• Executive Order No. 257 (1957). The transferred the Forest Products Research Institute (FPRI) from the Bureau of
Forestry of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources to the University of the Philippines (as Forest
Products Laboratory).
• Republic Act No. 5526 (June 21, 1969) created the Forest Products Research and Development Commission
(FORPRIDECOM) under the National Science Development Board (NSDB).
• Executive Order No. 784 (March 17, 1982) renamed the NSDB to the National Science and Technology Authority
(NSTA), and the FORPRIDECOM became the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI).
• Executive Order No. 128 (January 30, 1987) reorganized the NSTA into the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), with the FPRDI being retained under it.

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), formerly the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), was
founded on June 13, 1958. It is one of the research institutes within the Department of Science and Technology. It is authorized
to perform research and development activities on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, aiming to lay down regulations on these
uses and enforce those regulations. This will help protect the health and safety of workers and the general public.

Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards)

Project NOAH was an integrated disaster prevention and mitigation program of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST). This project designed to employ Science and technology to produce reliable data and meet the conditions
required by national government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and academy to make informed decisions on disaster
risk management activities. Project NOAH aims to fulfill its vision of disaster-free and empowered communities by providing
open access to accurate, reliable, and timely hazard and risk information that has been updated and enhanced using advanced
technology. This also undertakes research projects to develop technology and resources that further strengthen government
capacity and help the public plan for and respond to disasters.

In March 2017, study, development, and extension services on natural hazards, disaster risk management, and climate
change actions developed at the University of the Philippines as the UP NOAH Centre.
14
Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes (PCARI) Project
The Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes (PCARI) project is a new approach to enhance the skills and
abilities of Philippine universities and colleges' faculty and staff through scholarships, training and research collaborations with
leading research universities in California, USA, in the priority areas of information infrastructure development (IID) and health
innovation and translational medicine (HITM).

Philippine Space Program

The Philippines' space program is technically decentralized and managed under the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST) by different agencies. It aims to set the foundation for the establishment of a Philippine Space Agency. The
Philippine government passed the "Philippine Space Act" (Republic Act 11363) in 2019. It is under the newly formed Philippine
Space Agency (PhilSA) to see the integration and centralization of space research and development.

The development of the space program is essential for national security, agricultural development, environmental
management, and climate change mitigation. The program aims to develop technologies such as uncrewed aerial vehicles,
microsatellites, and communication satellites.

Science Education in the Philippines

Science is part of the K to 12 curriculum, which focuses on improving student scientific literacy skills, beliefs, and
attitudes, such as objectivity, curiosity, integrity, and habits of mind, including critical and logical thinking skills. Science
stimulates learners' interest and knowledge of phenomena and events of the world around them. In general, all these skills,
values, attitudes, and dispositions are likewise relevant to the individual student for his personal development, future career,
and life.

Science is relevant because of its links to technology and industry, which, from a national perspective, are areas of high
development priority. Scientific research provides a systematic way to make sense of the world.

DOST Scholarship Programs

The DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program mandated under the Republic Act 7687 or the Science and Technology Act of
1994. The program is awarded to highly qualified students in Science and mathematics and can pursue careers in science and
technology. Most Filipino scientists, inventors, innovators, engineers, and professionals have benefited from DOST scholarship
programs.

Philippine Science High School

The Philippine Science High School System (PSHS) is a highly specialized public high school system in the Philippines
that operates as an attached DOST agency. It is considered the top high school in the Philippines and ranked among the highest
in the ASEAN region in 2016. It has 16 campuses located in the following areas nationwide.

Regional Science High School Union

The Regional Science High School Union (RSHS-Union) established in the Philippines during the 1994-1995 school year.
It is a specialized system of public secondary schools managed and regulated by the Department of Education, with a curriculum
that focuses heavily on Math and Science.

The DOST established several programs to improve science education in the country, such the following: (1) Project
HOTS; (2) VISSER; (3) STAR BOOKS; and (4) InnoBox Project.

Indigenous Science and Technology in the Philippines

The indigenous Science and technology in the Philippines are rich in cultural diversity. Our country has more than 100
tribes or groups, and each has a different but interconnected indigenous science and technology.

Many herbal medicines that we are currently using to treat some diseases have an indigenous origin. Many indigenous
practices in resource management have been documented, like the muyong system in Ifugao and the lapat system in Apayao.

References

Braan-Imai, R. (2018, October 2). Watershed Sentinel. Retrieved from Indigenous Science and Technology:
[Link]
Bueno, D. C. (2019). Science, Technology and Society. Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.

15
Commission on Higher Education. (2019). Retrieved from Philippine-California Advanced Research Institutes: [Link]
california-advanced-research-institute-pcari/
Department of Science and Technology. (2014, April 26). Retrieved from The DOST in Brief: [Link]
dost/[Link]
Dimailig, C. J. (2019, June 25). Philippine Council for Health Research and Development. Retrieved from Balik Scientist Program (BSP): Balik
Puso, Balik Pilipinas: [Link]
pilipinas
DOST Region 9. (2016, September). Retrieved from Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program:
[Link]
Giacomin, N. (2019, November 18). Space Legal Issues. Retrieved from The Philippine Space Act: [Link]
philippine-space-act/
Ilagan, Y. A. (2018). Science Technology and Society. Muntinlupa City: Panday-Lahi Publishing House Inc.
Ratnasiri, N. (2006). The role of Science and Technology in Nation Building. J. Natn. Sci. Foundation, 113.
Science Education Institute (SEI)-Department of Science and Technology (DOST). (2019). Retrieved from
[Link]
SEI-DOST Region 8. (2005). Retrieved from Grants in Aid Program: [Link]
University of the Philippines Diliman. (2020). Retrieved from National Scientists: [Link]

Assessing Learning

Activity 8
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Answer the following questions by writing on spaces provided.

1. Discuss the important role of science and technology in the following field/sector:
a. Health
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Social Services
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. Agriculture
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
d. Economy
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
e. Natural disasters
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
f. Environment
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Among the research agenda, which do you think is most appropriate to your community? Evaluate your answer.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16
 3. Explain how the following programs/projects were able to contribute to nation building.
a. Balik Scientist Program
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b. Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

c. Grants-in-Aid Program
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

d. Project NOAH
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

e. Philippine Space Program

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 9
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Answer the following questions by writing on spaces provided.

1. Discuss the important role of science education in the development of the country.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. As a student, what problems have you experienced in Philippine science education? What solution/s can you
recommend to address these problems?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. If you were given a chance to talk with the President of your university, what aspects of science education would you
suggest to change, and why?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How do you differentiate the science courses in high school under K12 curriculum and the science courses before its
implementation?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17
 Activity 10
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Answer the following questions by writing on spaces provided.

1. Provide specific examples to differentiate indigenous science from indigenous technology.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the role of indigenous science in the development of science and technology in the Philippines?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNIT IV. HUMAN FLOURISHING

Danny O. Alfonso

Overview
This unit gives you an idea of how humans can flourish, what is Human Flourishing from a different point of view, how
to flourish, and the impact of technology in humans. This will help you analyze the difference between human flourishing in
philosophers' views and the modern world concept. You will also identify the negative and positive effects of technology and
how it affects humans. This chapter will reflect your life in self-actualization. So that you will know your role in society as a
student and as a human as well. Also, you will be able to deeply understand your needs (emotional aspect; strength and
weakness) and how you will overcome it.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. define flourishing in philosopher point of view and modern world concept;
2. familiarize with the two Greek philosophers and their opinion on virtue;
3. appreciate the application of technology and its relation to human flourishing; and
4. explain the connection of human flouring to science and technology

Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: “The true secret of happiness lies in the taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life”. This is one of the best
quotes that define happiness by William Morris. Have you asked yourself if you are happy? With this, answer the following
questions by writing on the space provided.

1. What is your own definition of happiness?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. When is the last time you feel happy and how did you feel it?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
18
 3. Give a situation in your life that you feel down/miserable and what did you do to overcome it?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What makes you happy?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lesson Proper

Human Flourishing
According to Aristotle, Human is defined as a rational animal because they can think and use reason consistently. The
way human beings do things is by making rational choices that take specific actions or scientific investigations that are mostly
in-line in their personal preferences. Hence, a human being is a person who makes up society and is responsible for the research
and innovations currently being used and existing today. Understanding the behavior of humans (strength and weakness), their
nature, values, norms, needs (material or spiritual), and how to cater to these is an essential tool to live a flourishing life.

A. Human Flourishing: Based on Ancient Greek Philosophers’ Perspective.

Flourishing. It is a state where people experience positive emotions and positive social functioning (. Is a descriptor
and a measure of positive mental health in life well-being (the state of being happy, healthy or prosperous).

How to live a flourishing life?

Two of the most recognized Greek Philosophers that tries to answer the question. PLATO and ARISTOTLE. These great
philosophers called flourishing life as “EUDAIMONIA”; it is usually associated with HAPPINESS. For them, happiness is the
result of eudaimonia or human flourishing.

PLATO’S interpretation of “Human Flourishing”

PLATO (428/427 – 348/347 B.C.). For him, “all human beings naturally desire eudaimonia or human flourishing”. To be
flourish, Plato believed that one must have moral thought and virtuous action. (VIRTUE – trait or quality that is deemed to
be morally good). The well-being of a human individual must NOT depend on external goods (such as fame, wealth, good
appearance). To live just for the sake of these external goods will not lead to flourishing.

If having a VIRTUE is needed in order to FLOURISH, How does one develop virtue? According to Plato, Human being
can develop virtue by the following:

1. By examining things and thinking more

2. By masterly using reason
3. By living the Four Cardinal Virtues (Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, Justice)

By examining things and thinking more

Plato believed that humans can reason and must use it to become wiser to flourish. He said that human being who does
not examine his or her life and surroundings would not flourish.

By masterly using reason

According to Plato, using reason over desires makes human to be good. Reasoning allows the control of oneself, and
limiting one’s reason may result in negative consequences. A human can flourish if he or she can control itself through reason
and act for the common good.

By living the four cardinal virtues

Wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement; the quality of being wise. One must pursue
learning based on curiosity, which leads to more efficacy and self-mastery, which are needed to have a fulfilling life.

Courage: It is important to have courage in society today; it is needed to face life’s challenges because JUSTICE needs
courageous individuals to stand for what is right and to correct what is wrong.

19
 Temperance: According to Joel (2011), it is defined as moderation or voluntary self-restraint. Plato believed that having
temperance prevents corruption and chaos. It is important in the society because a human without temperance will not flourish
since lack of self-restraint can lead to vices and violence.

ARISTOTLE’S interpretation of “Human Flourishing”.

ARISTOTLE (384-322 B.C.) He explained that eudaimonia or human flourishing is the highest good of human beings. Zey
(2001) introduced the Rational Choice Theory, which is used to model human decision making. It explains the behavior of
human being in order to satisfy human needs.

What are the aspects of Human Nature?

There are four aspects of Human nature according to Aristotle.
1. Physical
2. Emotional
3. Social
4. Rational

Humans are Physical Being. For humans, to keep their body physically and mentally functioning, they need air, water,
food rest, and exercise.

Humans are Emotional Being. Humans are the highest forms of animals. Like any other animals, humans have needs,
desires, and wants. Humans have emotional needs to express different emotions in such reaction.

Humans are Social Being. The feeling of satisfaction, flourishing, or well-being can be experienced when learning to
socialized. As social beings, it is inherent that humans need friendship, companions, cooperation, and a sense of belongingness
in society.

Humans are Rational Being. As Aristotle said, a human is defined as a rational animal because they can think and use
reason consistently. Rationality is what differentiates humans from other animals. It allows human to express, be creative, or
obey reason.

How does human become more virtuous?

For Aristotle, a virtue is a character trait that enables a person to flourish. Just like Plato, Aristotle believed that humans,
through reason, seek knowledge about the world. He also believed that by gaining knowledge, humans would flourish. He called
it “INTELLECTUAL VIRTUE” (According to King (2014), intellectual virtue is an excellent personal trait or character strength
that is deemed to be morally good for thinking and learning and is often associated with knowledge and cognitive ability.)
Aristotle made an important distinction between knowledge and human flourishing.

2 Types of Knowledge:
1. Theoretical knowledge. This type of knowledge is about the nature of the principle. It allows us to manipulate
nature; however, without practical knowledge, it cannot be done.
2. Practical knowledge. This is the knowledge of applying principles. Thus, knowledge is very important in life, but
it is the application of this knowledge that leads to flourishing.

Aside from intellectual virtue, the other virtue in life is the virtue of character. Aristotle believed that to flourish, one
must possess the 11 virtuous traits. (Courage, temperance, liberality, magnificence, magnanimity, patience, truthfulness,
wittiness, friendliness, justice, and Shame). In addition, Aristotle stated that all virtues are connected
by PHRONESIS or “PRACTICAL WISDOM”. It enables an individual to apply the appropriate virtue in each situation. A virtuous
life can be attained through education and habit. In summary, when an individual possesses INTELLECTUAL
VIRTUE and VIRTUES OF CHARACTER, he or she will attain EUDAIMONIA or HUMAN FLOURISHING.

B. Human Flourishing: A Modern World Concept

In Psychology, Human Flourishing has different components: happiness, life satisfaction, mental and virtue, close social
relationship, and financial and material stability.
1. Flourishing is intrinsically worthwhile
It contrasts with the Greek Philosopher’s point of view that human flourishing is a means to an end goal,
happiness. Flourishing is naturally good and is worth striving for. Therefore, it is intrinsically worthwhile.

2. The actualization of the human potential

20
 When an individual uses his or her potentials and capabilities it is called human flourishing. The level of
flourishing for every individual will cannot be compared because every individual has different potential and encounter
different opportunities.

Criteria for Human Flourishing

a. Life as a whole. In studying an individual’s flourishing, it is needed to understand his or her nature as a whole
person/life, which means it is important to study not only some parts of an individuals life but its totality as a
human as a well.
b. Human flourishing is a dynamic state. Human flourishing is self-motivated. It requires a developmental
process/progress to portray human potential. To become a flourishing human being, one must continuously
develop or endlessly growing.
c. Objective good. Everyone needs to be flourish. There are things that are good and otherwise bad for everybody.
Good things or objective goods such as good social relationships, positive emotions and purpose, and so on, if
developed, will contribute to having a flourishing life.

C. The Human Person Flourishing in Terms of Science and Technology

Now that you have an idea and a good perspective about human flourishing. What do you think is the role of Science and
Technology in Human Flourishing?

Role of Science and Technology in Human Flourishing

Remember, Aristotle said that humans flourish by gaining new knowledge. He called it “intellectual virtue.” He also
distinguished theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge. On the other hand, Science is a systematic body of knowledge
that seeks to explain life and the world.

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY
-Comparable to theoretical knowledge. -Comparable to practical knowledge
-Explains the nature or principles behind an object, -Applies the theoretical knowledge in order to have
event or phenomenon. an output.

Elucidating the importance of science and technology to human being, scientific and technological discoveries allow
humanity to gain intellectual virtues. For example, through science, the antibiotic nature of Penicillium notatum was discovered.
But through technology, the penicillin medicine was developed and provided a cure to many diseases.

Alvin Tofler is an American writer and futurologist who focused his writings on technology expansion and its impact
on society (Zakaria, 2012). Advancement in Science and Technology provides a positive impact on human life such as the
following:
- made work easier, efficient or practical
- made people happy or entertained
- kept people healthy and safe
- helped to address social issues and concerns
- helped in the development of human talent and abilities

Having an advantage, science and technology can be exploited that results to negative impact or serious disadvantages.
As a result, technological developments made possible industrialization which made humans become machine-like workers. It
also caused pollution that causes diseases that causes life loss. Technologies such as nuclear weapons also cause extermination.

To help you understand the lesson, read the article by Connolly and Miller, “is Human Flourishing in the ICT World of
the Future likely? (Optional)

D. Technology as a Way of Revealing

For this topic try to read the essay by Martin Heidegger: The Question Concerning Technology. (Optional)
[Link] [Link]

Martin Heidegger (1889-1976). It is one of the most original and important philosophers in the 20th century. In his
essay, he suggested how humans establish a “free relationship” with technology. Heidegger focused on orientation to
technology, not on the form or function.

21
How do we generally think about technology?
For Heidegger, First, technology is a means to an end. It refers to the instrumental definition of technology. And
secondly, technology is a human activity that refers to the anthropological definition. These two definitions of Heidegger are
correct; however, limiting the understanding of human relationships with technology. Heidegger discussed the concepts of
causality to fully understand what is meant by “technology as a means to an end.”

There are four causes of causality/connection.

1. Causa materialis. It refers to the material used to form an object.
2. Causa formalis. It refers to the form or shape.
3. Causa finalis. It refers to an end.
4. Causa efficiens. It refers to which brings about the effect
“CAUSA,” Latin word means “that which brings about.” Furthermore, Heidegger preferably uses the Greek word “aition,”
which means “that which is responsible for something else.” And that leads him to use the terms hyle, eidos, telos, and logos as
a replacement to the four causes. Heidegger termed technology as a kind of poesis, a way of bringing forth or revealing referred
to as – “the realm of truth.” Technology came from the Greek word “technikon” that is related to techne. Heidegger made two
points about techne. It refers to both manufacturing and to the arts. It is usually part of poesis. Techne is a kind of knowing. It
may refer to “expertise” or “know-how.” In a sense, technology is not in the instrumental production of good or manipulation of
materials, but rather in “revealing.” Heidegger differentiates older forms of technology and modern form of technology. He said
that modern technology has a different kind of revealing, and it is challenging. Old windmills, for instance, draw energy from
the wind but do not extract and store energy, unlike modern technology.

To understand more of modern technology as revealing differently. Heidegger introduced the idea of “standing
reserve.” He explained that technology transforms the world into a standing reserve. It is said that “nothing in the world is good
in and of itself, but only good for something. An airplane, for instance, has no good or value in and of itself, but it is good for
humanity as a mode of transportation. It can be disposed of, leaving it with no value its disposal by humanity depends on its
goodness. Humans can become standing reserves of technology. Since humans are responsible for technological advances,
humans will never completely become as standing reserves. In the same way, nature and nature's mode of revealing will never
completely become under human control.

Despite humans having now the capacity to destroy nature, the natural world reveals itself to humans on their terms.
Example: Humans cannot directly control the formation of coal deposits or accumulate nitrogen in the soil. They can only control
the way humans orient themselves to their thinking and actions, with such resources. Humans manage to think of technology
as an instrument, a means of getting things done.

References

Green, Joel (2011). Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic. P.768 ISBN 978-0-8010-3406-0.
King, N. (2014). What are intellectual virtues. The Table. Bible University. Center for Christian thought.
Mental health Foundation of New Zealand, Flourishing, Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing: How can they be increase
Zakaria W.F.A.W. (2012). Alvin Tofler: Knowledge and Change in Future Society. International Journal of Islamic Thought. 1: 54-61.
Zey, M.A (2001). Rational Choice and Organization Theory. International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. DOI.10.1016/BO-
08-043076-7/04212-1.
[Link]
[Link]
countries-sdgs.
[Link] [Link]
[Link] web results is human flourishing in the ict world of the future likely?-ResearGate.
[Link]/quotes-about-happiness/

Assessing Learning

Activity 11
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Identify the terms or names being defined or identified by the given statements. Write your answer on the space
provided before each number. ANY form of ERASURE/ALTERATION will be considered wrong.
___________________________1. He defined human as a rational animal because they can think and use reason consistently.
___________________________2. Is a state where people experience positive emotions and positive social functioning.
22
___________________________3. A trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good.
___________________________4.
___________________________5. According to Plato human beings can develop virtue by
___________________________6. means of?
___________________________7. When an individual possesses intellectual virtue and virtues of character, then, he or she will attain
___________________.
___________________________8.
___________________________9. Give three (3) words that is associated with Happiness.
__________________________10.

Activity 12
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Read the article by Jason Hickel and answer the questions.

“Forget’ developing’ poor countries’, it’s time to’ develop’ rich countries’”
By: Jason Hickel

Questions:
1. The article criticized the use of growth as the main strategy for the eradication of poverty. Why is that so?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Based from the article, why do we need to de-develop rich countries? Do you agree?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the connection of the article to human flourishing and the progress of science and technology?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 13
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Read the following question and answer it precisely. (This could show how will you reflect the role of science and
technology in human flourishing). Reflection Paper

What part of your life for the past years was the most fulfilling/worthwhile? What made you flourish on those past
years? and what is the role of science and technology that affect that experience?

23
UNIT V. THE GOOD LIFE

Angel Joyce C. Fajardo

Overview
In this unit, you will learn about what different schools of thought and individuals consider as the “good life” and its
accompanying limitations and responsibilities. These will help you identify the ways of how you can enjoy a good life through
science and technology within the bounds of society’s moral principles and ethical standards.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. define what is the “good life”; and
2. examine shared concerns that make up the good life to come up with innovative, creative solutions to
contemporary issues guided by ethical standards

Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: Everyone has a different definition of what having a “Good Life” looks like. Have you considered what a good life is
like? To help you answer the following questions on the space provided.

1. What does living a “Good Life” mean to you? (When can you say that a person is actually living a good life?)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you believe that you are living a good life right now? Why or why not?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What role do you think science and technology plays in helping people achieve what they think is a good life?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lesson Proper

The Good Life

As you may have realized in the previous activity, the answer to the question, “What is a Good Life?” varies among
individuals. It can also vary among people from different places, cultures, and schools of philosophy! The time or period during
which a person lives will also affect how he or she defines a good life. For example, do you think a person living in the 16th
century England will have the same idea of a good life as a person living in the Philippines during the present day? Of course,
not!

Let us begin by discussing the three main ideas that address the good life: The Moral Life, The Fulfilled Life, and The
Life of Pleasure.

The Moral Life is a concept of the good life introduced by Socrates and Plato. Are you familiar with these two
philosophers? To give you a bit of a background, Socrates is a Greek philosopher who is also considered as the father of western
philosophy. Plato was his most famous student and apprentice (Ancient History Encyclopedia, 2009).

24
 According to them, a person who has a good life is someone who possesses and practices the most important virtues.
These virtues are courage, kindness, loyalty, and generosity. They believed being virtuous is superior overall supposedly good
things like pleasure, power, or wealth. The concept of the Moral Life as a good life also believes that:
• Questioning, reflecting, and examining the nature of things is important in order to have a good life.
• Servitude to others is essential.
• To have a good life, one must have full control of his or her desires and passions with proper reason.

Aristotle, another famous philosopher that I’m sure you are familiar with, claims that a good life is The Fulfilled Life.
Aristotle is the student of Plato. Aristotle views the good life more comprehensively and that it all boils down to man’s desire
to be happy. He believes that someone has a good life if he or she:
• is morally virtuous
• has a good health and long life
• leads a prosperous lifestyle
• has good friends
• respects other people
• has good luck or fortune, and
• is able to use his or her abilities, talents, and capacities.

According to this theory, we value things because they are a means to achieve other things. For example, we value money
because it allows us to buy our needs and wants. We value leisure because it lets us rest and has time to pursue our interests.
However, happiness is something we value in itself and not because we get something else when we have it. In other words,
the value of happiness is intrinsic rather than instrumental (Westacott, 2020).

Last but not the least, another philosopher named Epicurus suggested the concept of The Life of Pleasure. According
to him, life is worth living because of pleasures. Pleasure can be defined as a mental state that is enjoyable, positive, and worth
seeking. This view that pleasure leads to a good life or that pleasure is what makes life worth living, is known as hedonism
(Westacott, 2020) There are many kinds of pleasures in this world, some of which are wealth, fame, food, and sexual pleasures.
Calling someone a hedonist often has a negative connotation because it suggests that he or she is devoted to “lower” pleasures
like food, drinks, sex, and other sensual indulgences.

Although Epicurus thinks these can give a person a good life, he also believes that a person should not lose himself or
herself to pleasures because:
1. This will reduce one’s pleasure in the long run
2. Pleasure from things like friendship and education are more important.
3. Everyone should live a virtuous life.

There are Three Aspects of Good Life, namely self-mastery, servitude to society, and contemplation, and
learning. The good life is said to be an integration of these aspects, disregarding the hedonistic idea mentioned earlier.

Ethics and Ethical Standards

Now that you have a background on “What is a Good Life”, the next question is : “How should I live?”.

The answer to this question is a matter of Ethics. Ethics is the system of moral principles, meaning a standard for
choosing between right and wrong. It is mainly concerned with what is good for an individual, or yourself, and the society
(BBC, 2014). It is the key in solving the following dilemmas:
a. How to live a good life
b. Knowing your rights and responsibilities
c. The language of right and wrong
d. Identifying what is good and what is bad

Since humans are set apart from other creatures because of the ability to reason out and the capacity to observe
rational thinking, this idea of right and wrong and living an ethical life is unique. Ethics provides a foundation for answering
complex questions and allowing humans to behave and act according to moral principles.

For example, all of us encounter ethical dilemmas in our everyday lives. These are situations in which a difficult choice
or decision must be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones. It is important that whatever
we do or say is based on moral principles. Here are some ethical dilemmas that you can think about:
25
1. Will you tell your parents or guardians about getting low or failing grades in some of your subjects?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you think it is okay to eat in fancy restaurants when some people have nothing to eat?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. If you find out that your friend’s partner is cheating, will you tell your friend about it even though you know it will hurt
him/her?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
After trying to answer and think about these ethical dilemmas, consider what made you choose your final decisions.
Is it for the good of yourself and your loved ones, or is it based on the good and bad standards set by the society around you?
You are more likely to realize that it is often a combination of both.

The Role of Ethics in Innovation

Question: Do you think Ethics is important in innovation? Why or why not?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Before we discuss the role of ethics in innovation, let us first understand what innovation is (Callegaro, 2017).

1. Divergence
The goal of innovation is to change the status quo of the ways we have been used to it. It aims to create and develop
new concepts, ideas, and methods, therefore diverging from common. Through this, different problems and issues can be
solved using new and maybe even better approaches and solutions.

2. Curiosity
Aristotle once said that our curiosity allows us to search for our intellectual virtues. Curiosity urges us to examine
things closely, probe, explore ideas, and ultimately gain new knowledge. In other words, innovation begins with curiosity.

Intellectual virtues are excellent character strengths or personal traits considered to be morally good for thinking
and learning. These are often associated with knowledge and cognitive ability (King, 2014). Good thinking and learning
also require traits like being intellectually honest, humble, careful, and attentive. These are all intellectual virtues.

3. Multi-disciplinary
To come up with any innovative solution, you should be able to look at a problem from multiple perspectives, or a
multi-disciplinary approach must be applied. This provides us with a deeper understanding of the problem and a more
holistic idea about potential solutions. This can be made possible through the collaboration of experts and people with
diverse skills and backgrounds.

4. Resilience
Innovation is not a one-time task and is often a product of many trial and error experiments. Innovators must be
resilient, persistent, and determined to keep testing ideas and continue the process despite many failed attempts and
mistakes.

26
 5. Effect to people
Innovators must also think about the effect or impact of their innovation to people. Of course, the goal is to benefit
all end-users since the people or the end-users are the ultimate judges if the innovation is relevant, helpful, and useful to
them.

6. Shared responsibility
However, we must also remember that any innovation's success is a shared responsibility between the innovator
and the community. The innovator’s intention should be for the common good and benefit of the community. Likewise,
the community should make sure to use the innovation responsibly.

What is the distinction between technology and innovation?

Innovation is a human-centered perspective and process. It is the formulation of new concepts, ideas, and methods to
provide solutions to problems.

Technology, on the other hand, can be a product of innovation. It is the application of scientific knowledge for practical
purposes. Therefore, technology is an essential part of innovative development (Callegaro, A. 2017).

Economic gain and technological advancement should not be the sole consideration of innovation. It should also be
ethical. Innovation can affect people in many different ways and impact many aspects of our lives, such as our health,
communication, education, politics, and justice system. Thus, innovation should be accomplished within the bounds of an ethical
framework.

Innovations are considered ethical innovations if they possess the following characteristics (Brown & Wyatt, 2010):
• Humanistic - Innovations should be human-centered. Meaning, it should be helpful, useful, and relevant to the people
for which it is intended.
• Participatory - The process of planning, designing, and creating innovations should be done with the people and not
just for the people.
• Sustainable - Innovations are only ever important and necessary if they could be sustained for a long period of time
considering political, social, economical, and environmental aspects.

So, how can we relate the Good Life, Ethics, and Innovation to each other?
To further understand the lesson, please read this UNEP report with the title, “Towards a Green Economy: Pathways to
Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication”
[Link]

After reading the Online Article, discuss your answer to the following questions:
• How can we relate the green economy to sustainable development?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• What are the main principles of the green economy?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• In what ways can a green economy contribute to achieving a good life for people and the society?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusion/ Summary
Living a good life is a part of human flourishing. Without focusing on self-pleasure (the hedonistic approach), the
good life is a combination of self-mastery, servitude to the society, and contemplation and learning.

Ethics helps us answer the question, “How should I live?”. It is a system of moral principles for considering what
is good for oneself and society and other people.

27
 Innovation is a human-centered perspective and process. It is the formulation of new concepts, ideas, and methods to
provide solutions to humanity’s problems. It also plays a role in achieving a Good Life. However, to attain a good life though
innovation, our decisions must be based on ethical standards and moral principles.

References

Ancient History Encyclopedia (2009). Socrates. Retrieved from:

[Link] on July 20, 2020
BBC (2014). Ethics - Introduction to ethics: Ethics: A general introduction. Retrieved from [Link] on July 21,
2020.
Brown, T. & Wyatt, J (2010) DesignThinking for Social Innovation. Stanford Social Innovation Review
Callegaro, A. (2017) Why Innovation and Technology Aren’t the same. -UNHCR Innovation.
King, N. (2014) What are intellectual virtues. The Table Bible University. Center for Christian thought
Westacott, E. (2020). What does it mean to live the good life? Retrieved from [Link] on July 20, 2020

Assessing Learning

Activity 14
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: To help understand the lesson, watch this documentary entitled, “That Sugar Film” (2015). Write a reaction paper
about the documentary film on the next page of this module. You can use an extra sheet if you need to. You can submit your
reaction paper in a handwritten or printed format. If you will opt to submit a printed paper, use Font: Cambria, Font Size: 12,
Line Spacing: 1.5 and Paper size: 8.5 x 11” (short bond paper/ letter size).
Refer to the following guide questions:
1. What do you think is the purpose of the film?
2. Did you find the information offered up in the film to be shocking, or were you aware of the role sugar plays in your life?
Discuss.
3. Do you think you can survive a 30-day sugar-free diet? Why or why not?
4. How can you relate this film and sugar consumption to the concepts of the Good life that we have discussed?

Grading Rubrics:

28
UNIT VI. WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS

Alpha B. Gumayagay
Overview
Humans started to develop technology as a means to improve their living. In order to make life easier, scientific
knowledge must be applied to different processes. However, despite the good intentions of technological advancement and
development through scientific knowledge, there are still disadvantages caused by these technologies, which raised societal
concerns. Ethical dilemmas regarding the introduction of these technologies changed the social behavior and preferences of
humans. Unit VI emphasizes how the rapid acceleration in science and technology influenced some ethical standards of society.
Advantages and disadvantages of the newly acquired technologies are presented, including how these advancements brought
ethical dilemmas to the community. Inherent human rights are also presented in this unit.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. know and assess human rights in order to know the underlying rights concerning some tecnological ethical
dilemmas;
2. discuss the implications of the interaction between science and technology and human social behaviour; and
3. relate human rights and the emerging technological dilemmas.

Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: Encircle the words/terms about communication technology. (20 pts.)

R S T V E A R A D I O Y T P
T E I E M A I L S J K L G A
E P L M N B V C X Z A N S I
L Q O K I N S E C T I B S N
E W S S E E B A T G T U E T
V E S L T A K A G O Y G A I
I R D Q A A S O L I K G S N
S T F S L X L A M W B Y C G
I Y G D L B E D S S I S A O
O U H C O W O I T Y A K P U
N U E R O H P A M E S M I T
O I C I O P Q S Z C V B N D
P I J L M O R S E C V D E T
M A T E L E P H O N E D E F

Lesson Proper

Technology and Its Importance to Human Society

Technology, which is the application of scientific knowledge on techniques and processes, has practical impact by
sustaining different sectors of the community especially in agriculture, health, education, and transportation sectors. The use of
technology started when human civilization developed tools as they learn complex human behavior associated with their
survival.

Through many years of constant change, the present condition of the society is very much different with the society
many years ago. The present-day generation have great desire for transformation, innovation, transmission, and domination of
information. Although there are many social consequences of technological applications, many people nowadays became
technologically dependent because of the ease and comfort that these technologies gave. Because of this, the influence of science
29
and technology in human daily living is growing. There is also an intense competition in the marketing of these new technologies
in the society. However, the impact of technological inventions to the society must always be considered.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Modern Technology

Advantages
Based on Ramey (2013) online articles and SKILLs learning schools (2016), today’s generation has recognized the
advantages of modern technology to society.
• Communication was improved through communication tools that were invented to make the transmission of information
easier and faster.
• Dissemination of information can be made easily with the help of social media. Housing, lifestyle, and entertainment was
also improved.
• Materials used to build modern houses, and other facilities are far more sophisticated today.
• Equipment used for home activities, and entertainment purposes are automated and more versatile. A smart TV can now
perform both television and computer functions.
• Education today is not only limited to a classroom setting. Distant learning through online courses and other web-based
seminars became effective platforms of learning.
• The modern-day transport system, like the use of the railway, skyway, ships, and airport systems, can be attributed to
societal progress.
• Technological advancement has changed the medical field's structure by introducing more sophisticated equipment for
diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Recent breakthroughs have allowed for the discovery of new treatment procedures.
• New technologies provide different industries to increase productivity and efficiency by reducing labor costs and meeting
the demands of a growing society. Moreover, technology opens an avenue for more creative and innovative
entrepreneurship through online businesses.

Disadvantages
Several negative effects of technological advancements complicated human social well-being.
• A possible shift in economies may occur, especially in areas where human labor is used as the main workforce.
• The adoption of new product innovations by companies raised some concerns over possible massive job displacement.
• Technology has further developed destructive weapons such as machineries that caused massive death among countries.
Other examples of these weapons include drones, submarine, missiles, and nuclear weapons.
• Physical and social isolation due to the absence of interactive relationships increased loneliness for many individuals. Most
people focus their attention on gadgets and social technology rather than building harmonious relationships among family
members through interaction.
• Increased dependence on modern tools and technologies reduced human creativity and intelligence, which may lower
their competency.

Human Rights
According to the United Nations, human rights are “rights inherent to all human beings, whatever nationality, religion,
ethnic group, race, sex, or any position in the society.” Human rights are untransferable, which means they could not be removed
in a person unless declared or instructed by law. An example of this is a condemned individual awaiting execution because the
crime he committed might lose some of his rights. Human rights are universal, as stated in the Universal Declaration on Human
Rights in 1948. Human rights are inseparable and interconnected. When one right is improved, it will affect the enhancement
of others. Also, when one right is harmed, it hostiled the rights of others.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10,
1948. Under the universal declaration of human rights, the state shall strive to promote and secure the universal and effective
recognition of rights through teaching and providing education. These adopted human rights include the articles below:

Article 1 Right to Equality

Article 2 Freedom from Discrimination
Article 3 Right to Life, Liberty, Personal Security
Article 4 Freedom from Slavery
Article 5 Freedom from Torture and Degrading Treatment
Article 6 Right to Recognition as a Person before the Law
Article 7 Right to Equality before the Law
30
 Article 8 Right to Remedy by Competent Tribunal
Article 9 Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest and Exile
Article 10 Right to Fair Public Hearing
Article 11 Right to be Considered Innocent until Proven Guilty
Article 12 Freedom from Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, and Correspondence
Article 13 right to Free Movement in and out of the Country
Article 14 Right to Asylum in other Countries from Persecution
Article 15 Right to a Nationality and the Freedom to Change It
Article 16 Right to Marriage and Family
Article 17 Right to Own Property
Article 18 Freedom of Belief and Religion
Article 19 Freedom of Opinion and Information
Article 20 Right of Peaceful Assembly and Association
Article 21 Right to Participate in Government and in Free Elections
Article 22 Right to Social Security
Article 23 Right to Desirable Work and to Join Trade Unions
Article 24 Right to Rest and Leisure
Article 25 Right to Adequate Living Standard
Article 26 Right to Education
Article 27 Right to Participate in the Cultural Life of the Community
Article 28 Right to Social Order that Articulates this Document
Article 29 Community Duties Essential to Free and Full Development
Article 30 Freedom from State of Personal Interference in the above Rights

Aside from the rights enlisted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, there are other human rights included in
the Constitution of each state, treatises, local laws, and policies.

Human rights should always be considered before a certain technology is introduced to avoid technological ethical
dilemmas. The persons or corporations involved should verify what human rights will be at risk by introducing their newly
created technologies.

Ethics and Ethical Dilemma

Ethics is a system of moral principles or values that govern a person's behavior concerning what is good for oneself and
the society that he belongs to. It is a measure of motivation to which people are motivated to act morally.
People encounter many different problems in everyday living. Most of these problems can be answered easily and in
an uncomplicated manner. However, an ethical dilemma may occur in many situations wherein there can be two possible
solutions. Still, both of them were unpleasant or not acceptable from an ethical perspective. This can sometimes be called an
ethical paradox or moral dilemma. In the case of an ethical dilemma, a deeper and better understanding of the underlying issue
is required and can lead to multiple solutions.
How do people approach ethical dilemmas?
People approach ethical dilemmas in different ways. The following are some steps from which people approach ethical
dilemmas.
1. Acknowledge or accept the ethical issue.
✓ Does the situation give rise to conflicts?
✓ Is it an ethical conflict?
2. These decisions can be made through the help of these questions:
✓ What are truths/facts behind the issue that can be used for the collection of reliable information?
✓ What are the key values and ethical principles involved?
✓ What are the possible options or alternative choices?
3. Subject the dilemma to critical evaluation. Investigation of the situation may answer the following
questions:
✓ Which option can protect the rights of the individuals?
✓ Which option can lead to the best outcomes?
✓ Which option can best promote the common good?
4. Make a decision and evaluate the consequences.
✓ Which option or alternative is the best?
✓ Ask “Was my action the best action?”
31
Emerging Technological Ethical Dilemmas
Advances in technology are rapidly changing in many disciplines, such as agriculture, engineering, education, medicine,
etc. Farmers can improve crop yield through newly developed advanced pieces of machinery for planting and harvesting, new
engineering concepts can unlock solutions on problems relating to genetics and chemical synthesis, teachers can modify and
spread education through distance-education and virtual classroom, and doctors can reduce medical mistakes by increasing
potential to improve health through precision medicine. However, these advancements in technology also have the potential to
transform individuals' lives negatively. Because of this, technological ethical dilemmas arise.

Technological ethical dilemmas occur when new and emerging technologies raise ethical, social, and privacy issues.
These dilemmas arose from the conception, production, use, and effect of technology. Few of these technologies can be labeled
as dangerous that may pose a threat to human lives. While other technologies have high impact on society, they can change
societal growth positively or negatively.

Four factors are placed at risk when ethical dilemmas occur due to certain technologies. These four factors include the
environment, individual health, individual rights, and the affected society. To have better deal with technological ethical
dilemmas, these four factors should always be considered.

The need to explore conceptual, ethical and policy issues of the society where modern technological advancement
interacts promotes the advancement of science and technology for the common good. It should be clear that recent technologies
and innovations should not hinder an individual from enjoying any of the rights mentioned in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights.

In 2015 and 2016, the Reilly Center for Science Technology and Values at the University of Notre Dame released some
of what it considers emerging policies related to science and technology.

Real-time Satellite Surveillance Imagery

Satellite generated images are helpful in planning and solving humanitarian problems, crimes, and disaster
risk reduction. But if theses data would reach the hands of potential leftists, this might clearly violate the privacy of
human life.

Colonizing Mars: An Astronaut Bioethics

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and a private company, Mars One, worked
together for a space mission to colonize the planet Mars. In 2018, Mars One planned to launch a robotic mission to Mars,
and by 2025, four humans will be sent on a one-way mission to establish the first community outside the earth. Despite
the possibility of a breakthrough in the history of science and technology, there is a need for risk assessment.

Wearable Technology
Companies around the globe have developed several wearable technologies to suit human behavior and
activities. These technologies have beneficial functions in education and health, but privacy problems could be a
problem

State Sponsored Hacktivism and “soft war”

Soft war is an unarmed force using cyberwar and hacktivism to transform the cultural values and identities of
society. It can influence the social aspect of a given political system and invade cultural and psychological operations.
The use of cyberattacks to any government agency could be a problem.

Enhanced Pathogens
Researches about the gain of function of known diseases such as influenza, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS), and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) have been suspended in the United States because of biosafety

32
 concerns. Gains of function researches have beneficial impacts such as understanding the virus and the mode of
treatment for these viruses. However, this kind of research could also increase mammalian transmission. This could be
an avenue of exposing the virus into the general population that could have devastating effects, just like the present
pandemic, COVID-19.

Non-lethal weapons
Non-lethal weapons are not designed to kill but remained to be an ethical dilemma. Some examples are laser
missiles, blinding weapons, pain rays, sonic weapons, and gasses and sprays. Indiscriminate use of such could be used
as a means of torture.

Robot Swarms
Some researchers of Harvard University focused on the development of “kilobots”, a group of robots capable
of communicating with each other and perform simple tasks that do not require any human intervention. These groups
of robots can be used in environmental clean-ups or in responding to disasters. There is a risk of this technology to
malfunction and cause harm.

Artificial life forms

This technology is through synthetic biology, which is focused on custom-building of life forms by introducing
synthetic DNA to an existing organism. This raises concerns on some ethics and policy issues. Safety issues are also of
great concern since biological weapons using these organisms may arise.

Resilient social-ecological systems

The need to build resilience in the social and ecological systems of each nation is necessary, especially in facing
societal problems brought about by poverty, economic globalization, and natural phenomena such as climate change
and natural disasters.

Brain-to-brain interfaces
This technology is about direct communication from one brain to another without the use of speech but using
electroencephalography (EEG), a machine that detects brain activity. Ethical issues that arise are the kind of
neurosecurity that can be used to prevent accidental sharing or removal of information from an individual brain,
intellectual property rights, and the liability between the sender and receiver if one commits a mistake.

References

Carbonell J.G., Michalski R.S., Mitchell T.M. (1983) An Overview of Machine Learning. In: Michalski R.S.,
Kleinig, J., & Evans, N. G. (2012). Human Flourishing, Human Dignity, and Human Rights. Law and Philosophy. 32(50. 539-564. Doi:10.1007/s10982-012-9153-
2
Marshall, K. P. (1999) Has Technology Introduced New Ethical Problems?. Journal of Business Ecthics, 19(1). 81-90. Doi:10.1023/aa:1006154023743
OHCHR. (n.d.). what are human rights? Retrieved January 29, 2019, from [Link]
Ramey, K. (2013) What is technology – Meaning of technology and its use. Use of Technology techucation
Rasmussen, d.B. (1989). Individual Rights and Human Flourishing. Publioc Affairs Quarterly. 3 (1), 89-103. Retrieved from [Link]
[Link]/stable/40435703
Stansberry, K., Anderson, J., & Rainie, L. (2018). Experts Optimistic About the Next 50 Years of Digital Life.
University of Notre Dame. (2012. December 17). Emerging Ethical Dilemmas in science and technology. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 19, 2019 from
[Link]/releases/2012/[Link]
Wright, D., Finn, R., Gellert, R., Gutwirth, S., Schutz, P., Friedwald, M., Venier, S., &Mordini, E. (2014). Etical Dilemma scenarios and emerging technologies.
Technological Forecasting ansd Soccial Change, 86, 325-336. Doi:10.1016/[Link].2013.12.008.
Younkins, Dr. E. (2003) Aristotle, Human Flourishing, and the Limited State. Le Que becois Libre Nov. 133 (2003): 1-9. Retrieved from Le quebecois Libe
database 13 Dec. 2010.

33
Assessing Learning

Activity 15
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Answer the following questions on technological ethical dilemmas and present your answers in the class.
Questions:
1. What are the human rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that need to be considered on
ethical dilemmas concerning Colonizing Mars: An Astronaut Bioethics, Robot Swarms, Non-lethal weapons, Enhanced
Pathogens, and Artificial life forms.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is your view or stand on these ethical dilemmas?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 16
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Read the article entitled ‘Is google making us stupid?’. Answer the questions that follow in the next page and
present your answers in the class. The article is available through this link:
[Link]

Questions:
1. Why did the author suggest that Google is making us stupid?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the ethical dilemmas discussed in the article?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is your view or stand on those ethical dilemmas?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 17
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Discuss your stand about the following technological dilemmas. (Minimum of 100 words). Use extra sheets of paper.

1. We are now in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, wherein new technologies and global integration
accelerate more rapidly. The technology that is now under development is artificial intelligence or machine learning.
Artificial techniques became part of our everyday lives today because of computers, electronic gadgets, and other
connected devices that we use. Techniques developed are able to the cognitive simulation that are capable of
investigating and simulating the human learning processes or can mimic how people gain understanding.

34
 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. The right of people to privacy is one concern in today’s digital generation. It is believed that the digital era will surely
improve people's lives over the next decades in favor of the more privileged people. Thus, this will lead to the rise of
inequality and economic division. Do you believe in this privacy issue? Defend your answer.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNIT VII. WHY DOES THE FUTURE NOT NEED US?

Olympia O. Riogelon
Overview
In the previous units, you have learned the significance of science and technology about society. You also see the worth
of science and technology as great contributors to our nation-building. Thus, it also enlightens up your mind on the different
scientific ideas that defined society. Furthermore, you examined the evolution of science and technology over time as you have
learned the historical antecedents of science and technology. Those lessons strengthen your awareness of how science and
technology will help you attain a good life and flourish as an individual that part of the growing society.

Now in this unit, the focus of the study is for you to understand the role of technology in the society thus will give you
enlightenment and help you to assess the functions of science and technology within the community. Moreover, it also allows
you to examine technology's potential impact on your life.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. discuss the stages of technological history on earth;
2. analyze how technology leads to possible human displacement due to technological advancement; and
3. cite examples of the potential impact of technologies on humans.
Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: Answer briefly the following questions: (5 points each).

1. What makes you happy? Elaborate your answer.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you really need technology in your life? Why?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What will happen to you if technology does not exist?

35
 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Does technology lead you to a better life? Explain.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lesson Proper

Why Does the Future Not Need Us?

According to Schultz (2016) cited in the Science, Technology, and Society book for tertiary level, technology had
different stages [Ang, R., Cruz, J., et al. (2018)] and these are:
a. Proto-technology – focuses on the time when early tools were developed before civilization. [Ang, R., Cruz, J., et al. (2018)]
b. Classical technology- the rise of agricultural technologies and the establishment of communities and cities that enabled the
survival of civilization. [Ang, R., Cruz, J., et al. (2018)]
c. Modern technology – this is fueled by science concepts and principles which date back about 500 years ago. [Ang, R., Cruz,
J., et al. (2018)]
d. Postmodern technology. – replaces naturally occurring products with technologically developed ones. Some of the major
postmodern technologies include gasoline-powered automobile including jet engines, other petroleum and its derivatives like
synthetic fertilizer, Plastics, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PCBs (polychlorobiphenyl), chlorofluorocarbons, synthetic detergents,
nylon, insecticides (organochlorine compounds; DDT) and plastics (polystyrene and polyesters) and the like [Ang, R., Cruz, J., et
al. (2018)].

Meanwhile, technological advancement affects individuals, animals, and the entire world. Those can give beneficial and
non-beneficial effects to humankind. Some give comfort to living: lower sufferings and improve the life of the people, and yet
some might cause harm like ozone layer depletion, climate change, nuclear war, war problems, and habitant destruction lead to
possible human displacement worst to human extinction.

The following are some modern technological advancements and the impact of possible threats to extinction: [Ang, R.,
Cruz, J., et al. (2018)]
1. Ozone layer depletion through chlorofluorocarbons
2. Usage of fossil fuel leading to global warming and climate change.
3. Nuclear war and nuclear contamination.
4. Plastics.
5. Petroleum-based fertilizer
6. Habitat destruction.

Technology-driven: Extinction and Displacement - Like any other species of this planet, human beings will tend to
become extinct either gradually or suddenly.

Extinction – is the total disappearance of a species.

Two possible scenarios for the gradual extinction of human:

1. The usual course of life as individual age and replaced by other species more adapted to the changing world.
2. The disappearance of the ecological niche due to the abrupt changes man has inflicted in the ecosystem; the entire
population reaches zero reproductive rate.

References

Ang, R., Cruz J., et. al. 2018. Science, Technology and Society. Muntinlupa City: Panday-Lahi Publishing House, Inc.
Alata, E.J., Pawilen, G., [Link]. 2018. Science, Technology and Society. First Edition. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.
[Link] 4/20/2020

36
Assessing Learning

Activity 18
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: On the table, give positive and negative effects of technology in the following aspects:

Positive Effect of Negative Effect of

Aspect
Technology Technology

FAMILY RELATION

EDUCATION

TRANSPORTATION

COMMUNICATION

WORK

HEALTH

Activity 19
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Develop a poster that will show “Why Does the Future Not Need Us?’ Explain your poster.

You will be graded base on the following criteria:

Relevance to the theme 40%
Originality 20%
Neatness/clarity of your work 20%
Creativity 20%
Total 100%

UNIT VIII. THE INFORMATION AGE

Julius Jay N. Rodriguez

Overview
This module introduces you to Information Age. The brief description and history of the information age start the first
part of this module. It also provides information about modern technologies' role in addressing the needs of humans and society.
You will even understand how technology, as a recent revolution in the world's communication system, influences humans'
lives.

Modern technologies have successfully turned the world into a global village. Although it is costly to develop in an
organization fully, its usefulness is valuable to all sectors of a human.

37
Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. link learned concepts to the development of the information age and its impact on society; and
2. explain the importance of the social media sites and other applications to modern day living.

Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: Innovations and emerging technology are transforming the world and the everyday lives of each and every one of
us. Those are inevitable in our everyday lives. This is because life without technology is useless in today's complex world. But
can you imagine your life without technology? How can you spend a day without technology? Write your insight/s about these
two questions. Explain what society would lose if there is no technology?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lesson Proper

Introduction to Information Age

Technology has had a tremendous influence in the twentieth century as it has made life simpler for people. The
evolution of technology has shaped society in both positive and negative ways. Humans all over the world are using and learning
from new technology. Technology is relevant to ease access to many of the resources people need in education, medicine,
communication, transport, etc.

Modern technology is it is about ensuring face-to-face communication. It is all about efficiency and speed.
Communication or exchanging information is essential to humans and society due to a wide array of reasons. However, it can
be limited by: (1) Distance, (2) Time, and (3) Location. The attempts of humans to address these limitations of communication
led to the development of different new technologies. Technologies were affected by the social, political, and economic role of
information. It leads to the so-called Information or Digital Revolutions.

The Information Age, also called Computer Age, Digital Age, or New Media Age, is a pre-historic period in the 21st
Century. It is characterized by the rapid shift from the traditional industry brought about by the Industrial Revolution through
industrialization to the information technology-based economy. The recurrence of the Information Age linked to the Digital or
Information Revolution (Bueno, 2019).

History of the Information Age

The start of the information revolution was made possible by the invention of language writing and printing. These
inventions greatly improved how humans exchange information and communicate. From these, early and primitive forms of
information and communication technology were developed. The following were ways of exchanging information in the past:
drum rolls, fire signals, hand signals, use of pigeons, use of flags, and papyrus. Many of these exchanging information in the past
are still in use today. However, they remain to have limitations. The importance of the information revolution is to address the
barriers of communications.

First Information Revolution

The First Information Revolution began in the mid-nineteenth century with the invention of the Telegraph, the
telephone, and radio.

Telegraph
Samuel Morse (1791-1872) developed Telegraph in the 1830s and 1840s; the Telegraph revolutionized long-
distance communication. It worked by transmitting electrical signals over the wire between the stations. In addition to
helping to invent the Telegraph, Samuel Morse created a code (bearing his name) that allocated a series of dots and
dashes to each letter of the English alphabet and allowed complex messages to get transmitted across telegraph lines.
([Link] Editors, 2019). The Telegraph played an essential role during the American Civil War. The US government
used it to communicate reports of military information, command, and intelligence to troops. Diplomatic offices in
38
 Europe have also used this to describe with other countries. It facilitated more accessible liaison and communication
between countries.

Telephone
It was a time of 1876–1877 when Johann Philip Rels developed the first telephonic device. However, alexander
Graham Bell credited for the invention of the telephone. The telephone is an instrument designed for the simultaneous
transmission and reception of the human voice. The phone is simple to operate, inexpensive, and offers its users an
immediate and personal communication type that can not be obtained from any other medium. As a result, it has
become the most widely used telecommunications device in the world (David, 2020).

Radio
In 1895, while living in the attic of his parents, a young Italian named Gugliemo Marconi discovered what he
called "the wireless telegraph" He used electromagnetic waves to relay Morse code. It became known as the wireless
instrument he used. Radio owes its development to the first information revolution to two other inventions: the
Telegraph and the telephone. These three technologies are closely related, and radio technology, in reality, began as
"wireless telegraphy" (Bellis, 2019).

According to Bellis (2019), in 1915, the speech was the first broadcast from New York City to San Francisco
and across the Atlantic Ocean, via radio. Five years later, KDKA-Pittsburgh, from Westinghouse, broadcast the Harding-
Cox election returns and started a regular radio program schedule.

Radio networks and stations eventually established in the US and Europe. The military used radios during the
World Wars. After the wars, the radio played a crucial part in the development of the broadcasting (news) and the music
industries.

Second Information Revolution

The Second Information Revolution further improved communication due to the invention of television, the first
generation of computers, and satellites.

Television
Television is one of the 20th Century's most influential technologies. It has become one of the essential ways
in which people perceive the broader world around them, as well as one of the best ways in which people can escape
the planet.

A German scientist created static moving pictures in the 1880s using a filtered light that was viewed through
a rotating disk, setting the groundwork for modern television. During the 1920s, many scientists started experimenting
with using radio waves to transmit still pictures.

The system gradually improved upon During the 30s and 40s. In America, the first frequent broadcasts began
in 1939. after the Second World War that television began to take off as a standard home appliance. Sales of Television
in America skyrocketing since 1945. In 1954 the first color broadcast was achieved.

Television arrived years later in the rest of the world, and it wasn't until the late 1960s that television became
popular in houses throughout the West. TV had become the dominant media power it is today by the 1970s, with 24-
hour programming, mass advertisements, and syndicated shows.

Satellite television in the 1980s shrunk the globe, allowing live feeds from other countries and time zones. The
new millennium has brought the rise of digital video, which is television's future.

Computers
The early computer development was due to military needs. Between 1939 and 1942, Professor John Vincent
Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry designed the world's first digital-electronic computer at Iowa State
University. The Atanasoff-Berry Computer reflected many computer advances, including a binary arithmetic system,
parallel processing, regenerative memory, and memory and computing separation functions. 1839 when Allan Turing
developed The first fully functioning electronic digital computer, which was named Colossus. During World War II,
computers used to decode nazi war codes (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2006).

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC)

39
 In 1946 the first to patent a digital computing system, the ENIAC machine, was Presper Eckert and John
Mauchly. The problem with ENIAC and other computers of the first generation was that they used vacuum tubes that
produced a lot of heat, causing it to overheat or flame out.

Transistors
The three individuals credited with the transistor's invention were William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter
Brattain. This invention helps to address the problem of overheating. ROHM (2019), has stated that the transistor
development was an enormous advancement in the electronics sector. It marked the start of the current epoch in the
electronics sector. After the transistor's invention, advances in technology became more common, with computer
technology being the most notable of these.

Integrated Circuits
The development of new computer technology is crucial because it showed the convergence of government,
military, and industry cooperation in innovation making. The invention of integrated circuits has contributed to the
development of third-generation computers.

Satellites
A satellite is an object that orbits or circles around a more significant object in space. Natural such as the Earth's
orbiting moon and artificial such as the Earth's orbiting International Space Station are the two types of satellites
(Howell, 2017).

The first artificial satellite was Sputnik, a Russian beach-ball-size space probe that lifted off on October 04,
1957. It marks the beginning of the so-called Space Age. The SCORE or Signal Communications by Orbiting Relay
Equipment in 1958, the military launched its first satellite in the US.

Satellites, too, have changed the way we see the world around us. The corporate world exploded into space
when Syncom 3, the first civilian telecommunications satellite with its live broadcasts of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics,
created a sensation (Gottschalk, 2017).

Early Bird, also known as Intelsat I, the world's first commercial communications satellite, was
designed by Hughes Aircraft Company's Space and Communications Division, and later by Hughes Space and
Communications Company, for the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT). On April 06, 1965, the
satellite launched into synchronous orbit. (Gunter's Space Page, 2017).

Third Information Revolution

The technologies of the first two Information Revolutions paved the way for more techniques and innovations, which
led to the Third Information Revolution. The following are the leading technologies of the Third Information Revolution:

Semiconductors
Semiconductors are essential technology which significantly enhanced the ability to store, process, and
advertising information. The memory capacity increased substantially in 2017 from 10,000 bits of information in 1978
to 160 trillion bits because of the semiconductors.

Microprocessors
A microprocessor is an integrated circuit (IC), integrating critical functions in the central processing unit (CPU)
of a computer. It is a programmable silicon chip with multipurpose, clock-driven, register-based, accepts binary data
as input, and provides output after processing as per the instructions stored in the memory (Ligo, 2018).

Fourth Generation Computers

The Very Large Integrated Scale (VLSI) circuits were used in the fourth Generation Computers from 1971 to
1980. VLSI circuits with approximately 5000 transistors and other circuit elements and their associated circuits on a
single chip have made it possible to have microcomputers of the fourth generation.

Fourth-generation computers became more powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable. As a result, the
Revolution of Personal Computers ( PCs) arose. Time-sharing, real-time networks, and distributed operating systems
have been used in this Century (Tutorials Point, 2020).

40
 Fifth Generation Computers
The Fifth Generation Computers are the most advanced and current computer generation, which started
around 1981. These are highly reliable and use the technology of ULSI or Ultra Large Scale Integration. Such computer
systems are at the frontiers of modern scientific calculations. They are used to create the components of Artificial
Intelligence or AI, which will be able to think for themselves (Toppr, 2019).

Fiber Optics
Fiber optics (known as optical fibers) that consist of incredibly thin glass or plastic strands. One cable of the
fiber optic can have as few as two strands or as many as several hundred. Every strand is less than a tenth as thick as a
human hair and can hold something like 25,000 phone calls, making it easy for a whole fiber-optic cable to carry several
million calls (Woodford, 2018).

Cellular Technology
Transmitters and receivers are usually large, heavy and awkward to carry or move. These problems led to the
development of cellular technology. Cellular technologies led to the development of a mobile phone. It is made to ease
communication among individuals.

According to Techopedia (2017), a cellular telephone is a telecommunication device that uses radio waves over
a networked area (cells). It is served at a fixed location via a cell site or base station, enabling calls to be transmitted
wirelessly across a wide range, to a fixed landline or via the Internet.

Satellite Technologies
Satellite technologies also helped to create a global connectivity network. They used mobile, television, and
weather and climate devices. Satellites have allowed the worldwide broadcast of events, shows, international
teleconferencing, international telephone calls, and other types of global connectivity.

Internet
The Internet seems to have a significant impact on almost every facet of our lives, building whole new worlds
of cultures and allowing us to access knowledge and ideas on a scale we've never dreamed of before (kwach, 2018).
According to Techopedia (2019), Email, web-enabled audio/video conferencing services, online movies, and gaming,
data transfer / file-sharing, often through File Transfer Protocol ( FTP), instant messaging, Internet forums, social
networking, online shopping, financial services, and digital transmission are some of the following services that make
the Internet the most cost-effective means of communication in the world. The main goal for today is to develop a fully
integrated, high-speed, and high capacity network.

Digital Transmission
Digital transmission developed to improve communication. Digital transmission is the transmission of
information in the form of digital signals through a physical communication medium. Therefore, analog signals must be
digitized first before they are transmitted (Rafsanjani, 2018).

Impact of the Information Age

The advancement of technology in everyday life and social organization has contributed to the modernization of
information and communication systems due to social development's driving force (Bueno, 2019). he information age has the
following positive impacts: (1) It enabled more excellent connectivity of people around the world.; (2) It made many aspects of
day to day more convenient.; (3) It created online communities.; (4) It made information more accessible. The following are the
negative impacts of the information age: (1) Much information is false and misleading.; (2) It allowed the conduct of crimes and
illegal activities. (3) It created a "Digital Divide." (4) It affected human productivity and flourishing.

References

Bellis, M. (2019, May 11). ThoughtCo. Retrieved from The History of Radio Technology: [Link]
Bueno, D. C. (2019). Science, Technology and Society. Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
David, B. (2020). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from [Link]
Gottschalk, K. (2017, October 10). World Economic Forum. Retrieved from Here's how satellites have changed the modern world:
[Link]
Gunter's Space Page. (2017, November 12). Retrieved from [Link]
Hints, H. (2011, February 08). Fallon Solutions. Retrieved from A Brief History Of Television: [Link]
of-television
[Link] Editors. (2019, June 06). Retrieved from Morse Code & the Telegraph: [Link]
Howell, E. (2017, October 27). [Link]. Retrieved from What is a Satellite?: [Link]
41
kwach, J. (2018, January 22). Tuko. Retrieved from Importance of Internet in our life and education: [Link]
[Link]
Ligo, G. (2018, April 05). ElectroSome. Retrieved from [Link]
Rafsanjani, K. (2018, February 06). CCM. Retrieved from Introduction to Digital Transmission: [Link]
transmission
ROHM. (2019). Retrieved from History of Transistors: [Link]
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (2006, June 09). Retrieved from The Modern History of Computing: [Link]
history
Techopedia. (2017, January 05). Retrieved from [Link]
Techopedia. (2019, August 30). Retrieved from Internet: [Link]
Toppr. (2019). Retrieved from [Link]
Tutorials Point. (2020). Retrieved from Learn Computer Fundamentals:
[Link]
Woodford, C. (2018, September 26). Explain that Stuff. Retrieved from [Link]

Assessing Learning

Activity 20
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________
Directions: Answer the following questions by writing on spaces provided.

1. Identify ten (10) applications that could be useful in your daily life as a student. Explain the importance and uses of
those applications.
a. ______________________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________________________________
d. ______________________________________________________________________________
e. ______________________________________________________________________________
f. ______________________________________________________________________________
g. ______________________________________________________________________________
h. ______________________________________________________________________________
i. ______________________________________________________________________________
j. ______________________________________________________________________________

2. Discuss how the community teaching/learning Science can be enhanced with use of information technologies.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Identify two other technological advancements during the present time and describe how each of them contributes to
societal development.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 21
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: To better appreciate the influence and importance of technology to our daily lives, let us do an activity called “Timing
Your Technology”. List all technologies that you use every hour, and state your purpose of using this technology. You should
start from 6:00 AM until 7:00 PM. Use the table below to take note how long or how frequent you use each technology. Make a
reflection about this activity.

42
 PURPOSE OF USING THIS
TIME TECHNOLOGY YOU USED
TECHNOLOGY
6:00-7:00

7:00-8:00

8:00-9:00

9:00-10:00

11:00-12:00

12:00-1:00

1:00-2:00

2:00-3:00

3:00-4:00

4:00-5:00

5:00-6:00

6:00-7:00

Reflection:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNIT IX. BIODIVERSITY AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY

Jewell Ann P. Manabat
Overview
In this unit, you will learn all about biodiversity, how organisms of different species exist in different environments,
and also how individuals of the same species differ from one another. This unit will also discuss the importance of biodiversity
and how it helps not only humans but also the entire ecosystem. You will also learn about the various threats to biodiversity
and possibly think of ways to address the problems concerning biodiversity, such as habitat loss and extinction. Aside from this,
you will also delve on the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). You will learn about the basic principles of cloning
and genetic engineering, weigh in the pros and cons of the use of GMOs, and the ethical issues that encompass the use of such
technology.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health;
2. define biodiversity and discuss its importance; and
3. discuss the ethics and implications of GMOs and potential future impacts.
43
Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: Take a look at your backyard and list down the different living things and non-living things that you can see. Answer
the questions that follow.

Living Things Non-Living Things

How do living and non-living things depend on one another to create diversity in our ecosystem?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lesson Proper

What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life found in an ecosystem. It is a combination of two words, biological (meaning
life) and diversity (variety). Biodiversity is the variability among living organisms, the ecosystem in which they are a part of,
and the diversity between species and species. It also includes the interdependence and relationships between and among the
organisms found in a particular ecosystem and environment. Biodiversity is highly important because it caters to most of our
needs. It provides us with food, water, shelter, medicine, and energy, to name a few. It is often categorized into three levels:
genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity.

Genetic diversity is the variety of genes in different organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. For
example, in humans, some genes express different characteristics. In siblings, some may have straight hair while some may have
curly hair. Plants of the same species may show different colors of flowers. You can also see numerous breeds of dogs that have
different characteristics but under the same species. This is because there are differences in the DNA sequences of individual
organisms.

According to the biological species concept of Mayr and Ashlock, species refer to a group of individual organisms of
similar characteristics that are capable of interbreeding. Species diversity pertains to the diversity in the number of species.
This mainly involves species richness (the number of species in a particular area measured by number individuals or biomass)
and species evenness (the relative abundance of a species in one specific area, determined as either high or low).

Ecological (or community) diversity refers to a variety of ecosystems or habitats in a given region. According to
Encyclopaedia Britannica, the ecosystem is the complex of living organisms (biotic factors), physical environment (abiotic
factors), and their interrelatedness. Examples of ecosystems are forests, deserts, wetlands, rivers, and reefs. Ecosystems cater
to a wide range of species that interact with one another to form a community. These organisms interact with each other, but
their survival is also influenced by the nonliving factors present in their ecosystem. These nonliving or abiotic factors include
water, air, light, temperature, pH, and many more.

Some Terms Related to Biodiversity

Endemic species exist solely in a particular area. Some endemic species can only be found in a particular country,
region, or continent. The Philippines is known to be one of the world’s hotspots for endemic species. Some endemic species in
our country include the tamaraw, tarsier, and Luzon hornbill.

44
 Biodiversity hotspots – are those regions or countries with rich biodiversity but are under threats of depletion and
loss of species. According to Conservation International, there are two criteria to be considered to qualify as a biodiversity
hotspot: (1) the region or country must have at least 1,500 species of endemic vascular plants, and (2) it must have 30% or less
of its original natural vegetation. The Philippine archipelago is considered a biodiversity hotspot.

Ecosystem services – refer to the benefits that the ecosystem provides to humans through the transformation of
resources (land, water, vegetation, etc.) into a flow of essential goods and services. It can be categorized into four main types:
provisioning services, regulating services, supporting services, and cultural services.

Figure 1. Different types of ecosystem services and their examples

Importance of Biodiversity
Biodiversity affects humans in various aspects, including economy, health, culture, aesthetics, and environmental
issues. Essentially, biodiversity is an important source of provisions. We get food from fruits, leaves, flowers, and other plants
and animals (meat, eggs, blood, organs), medicine (lagundi, guava, aloe vera), and forest products such as tree trunks for housing
materials. Biodiversity also provides regulation and support to organisms and their ecosystem. Mangrove forests regulate the
impact of waves for those living near the shore. Meanwhile, coral reefs provide food and habitat to fishes and other marine
organisms. We also use different plants for their aesthetic purposes. People nowadays are into cultivating cacti and succulents
as indoor plants, thorns are used in traditional tattoo practices, and some plants are used as natural dyes. The presence of
animals such as the whale shark is used to boost ecotourism in areas like Oslob in Cebu.

Biodiversity Loss
Biodiversity loss refers to the depletion or reduction of biological diversity due to various threats to living organisms
and their habitats. In the last 40 years, we have already lost more than half of the world’s biodiversity. Loss of biodiversity can
be brought about by natural causes such as destruction of habitats, natural phenomenas (earthquake, typhoon, etc), and invasive
species or by man-made causes like pollution, over-exploitation, and even human overpopulation. The United Nations (2019)
reported that around 1 million species of plants and animals are now facing extinction. It is predicted that by 2050, half of the
world’s species will be extinct.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the global authority on the natural world's status and
the measures needed to safeguard it. They formulated the so-called IUCN Red List Categories that define the risk of extinction
of known species.
1. Extinct (EX) – the last individual of the species has died
ex: golden toad, Japanese sea lion
2. Extinct in the wild (EW) – it is known to only survive in cultivation and cannot be found in the wild or its expected
habitat anymore
ex: Alagoas curassow, Hawaiian crow
3. Critically endangered (CR) – when the species is considered to be at extremely high risk of extinction
ex: Philippine eagle, tamaraw
4. Endangered (EN) - when the species is considered to be at very high risk of extinction
ex: Calamian deer, Visayas hornbill
5. Vulnerable (VU) - when the species is considered to be at high risk of extinction
ex: molave, dugong
6. Near Threatened (NT) – the species is close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future
ex: bull shark, smooth cauliflower coral
7. Least Concern (LC) – the species is widespread and abundant
45
 ex: Conus barbieri, giant reed
8. Data Deficient (DD) – there is inadequate information to make a risk assessment of the species
ex: Vicente’s poison frog, cherry plum
9. Not Evaluated (NE) – the species has not been evaluated yet

Causes of Biodiversity Loss

1. Habitat alteration and destruction – loss of habitat due to alteration and destruction has a massive impact to
biodiversity. Factors such as deforestation, urbanization, fires, and land conversion impacts 85% of all species
under threatened, or endangered category. Some major repercussions of habitat loss to species are relocation,
predation, starvation or even death. In the Philippines, one of our endemic species, the Philippine eagle is critically
endangered due to loss of habitat brought about by deforestation. Sea cows or dugongs are also losing their habitats
due to coastal developments.
2. Pollution – is a condition wherein there is an abnormal increase in the amount of natural-occurring compounds
such as heavy metals, nitrates, cyanides, agricultural wastes, sewage, pathogens, and gases, to name a few. High
concentrations of these substances make for unfavorable environmental conditions, leading to diseases and even
death of organisms. Oil spills in bodies of water cause the death of marine organisms. Air pollution kills birds and
insects and causes various respiratory and skin diseases in humans and other animals. Wastes such as plastics that
are improperly disposed of in oceans cause the death of many marine organisms.
3. Over-exploitation – is defined as the excessive or unsustainable consumption of resources. Some examples of
over-exploitation include illegal logging, which causes the decline of hardwood trees. Overfishing of the endemic
fish tawilis found in Taal Lake resulted in the decrease in its population and eventual endangerment.
4. Global warming and climate change – the gradual increase in temperature also poses a major threat to
biodiversity. Melting of icebergs in the polar regions led to sea-level rise and loss of habitat of animals such as polar
bears. Drastic changes in climate, extreme weather conditions, grass, and forest fires are some of the impacts that
we are currently experiencing.
5. Illegal poaching and wildlife trade – illegal trade of flora and fauna is largely rampant on a global scale. These
practices attributed not only to the endangerment of some species but also to extinction to some. Animals found in
the wild are poached to be sold as exotic pets or for alleged medicinal purposes. African elephants have been killed
for their ivory tusks. Plants are also sold at high prices as being rare or hard-to-find items for plant collectors.
6. Diseases – some species are also under threat due to diseases brought by climate change and as an adverse result
of various human activities. An example is a decline in the amphibian population because of a fungal disease, which
later resulted in the extinction of the golden toad.
7. Introduction of invasive species – invasive species- has been identified as the second-largest threat to
biodiversity after habitat loss. Invasive alien species (IAS) are those species introduced whether by accident or
intentional to a place which is not their natural habitat. Their introduction could become a threat as they may
outcompete the native species for food and other resources, which may lead to the decline of population or
extinction of the latter. Introduction of IAS are usually related to human interests, mostly being introduced for
economic reasons. An example of IAS is the water hyacinth, commonly found in rivers and swamps. This plant
species is native to South America and has rapidly invaded tropical regions. It can grow up to one meter long and
spread rapidly, causing oxygen depletion, killing fishes such as what happened in Laguna de Bay. Other examples
of invasive alien species found in the Philippines are tilapia, Brazilian mahogany, knife fish, and the golden apple
snail.

What are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms with foreign genes incorporated to exhibit desirable
characteristics that do not occur naturally thru mating and natural recombination (Key, 2008). GMOs have been engineered in
the laboratory through genetic modification. Genomes are altered by including or inserting genes from unrelated organisms
such as bacteria, viruses, insects, and animals to achieve desirable traits or characteristics. Some benefits of GMOs are increased
crop yield, pesticide-resistance, enhanced nutrient composition, tolerance to stress, faster maturity, and medical benefits.

Process of Making Genetically Modified Organisms

1. Identification of a trait of interest –first, scientists identify the trait they want to be expressed. Then they find an
organism that already has that trait in their gene
2. Isolation of gene – after determining the trait, the scientists either isolate that gene that expresses the desired trait
or copy it from the organism
3. Gene insertion – once they isolate the gene, it is inserted to the organism that will be modified. The inserted gene
will not change the other traits already present in that organism

46
 4. The GMO is allowed to grow – the modified organism is allowed to grow in laboratory conditions. Once it grows
successfully in the laboratory, subsequent procedures such as field tests, biosafety assessments and economic
feasibility are conducted before the product is released for commercial use or consumption.

Uses of Genetically Modified Organisms

1. Bt cotton – inserted with a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis which produces a natural insecticide for
bollworm called Bt toxin. Bt cotton has demonstrated a higher yield compared to non-Bt cotton.
2. golden rice – created by inserting a gene from daffodil and the bacterium Erwinia uredovora to enable the
accumulation of beta-carotene in the rice endosperm for vitamin A synthesis.
3. GM mosquitoes – developed to express SM1 protein preventing the entry of the malarial parasite Plasmodium into
the mosquito’s gut breaking the life cycle of the parasite
4. Xenotransplantation – the process of using animal organs, tissues and cells for human needs. This addresses the
concern when it comes to shortage in organ donors for transplants.
5. Glofish – a GM zebrafish inserted with a gene from jellyfish to express bioluminescence. It was initially produced
to detect water pollution but was later on commercialized as pets.

Risks and Downsides of Genetically Modified Organisms

1. Ecosystem Risks – GMOs pose a threat of potentially becoming invasive species if they become unregulated. Many
GMOs are known to grow fast and increase rapidly.
2. Genetic contamination or interbreeding – GMOs may interbreed with wild types which can lead to loss of trait
for future generations. Conversely, wild types can inherit the modified traits which can disrupt the natural
ecosystem where it belongs.
3. Adverse effects on health – GMOs may cause adverse effects and health risks to humans. Some GMOs were claimed
to cause allergic reactions and other risks if consumed.

4. Social acceptance – many are still hesitant about consumption and development of GMOs. Social acceptance will
also determine the success of the GMO, if people will not consume or use the product, the development of such
technology will be deemed useless.
5. Economic issues and access – Investors are expecting huge return of investments in the development of GMOs,
thus making it expensive and accessible to only selected few who can afford the product
6. Animal welfare – animal welfare issues are raised especially in GM animals such as the GM pig and other animals
used for xenotransplantation, as well as the use of animals such as rats for trial testing in laboratories.
7. Pest and antibiotic resistance – pests may later evolve to develop resistance to pest-killing GMOs which would
render the GMO useless later on. It can also contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Policies and Politics on GMOs

Here are some terms related to the different policies and political standpoints regarding genetically modified
organisms:

Biosafety is defined as the condition to which potential harm, damage or threats caused by the introduction of
biotechnology (intentional or not) is under manageable or acceptable level.

Risk Assessment is the process of evaluating or identifying the potential hazards or damages biotechnology can cause
to humans, animals, and the environment. It also includes the development of mitigation measures towards those risks.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international protocol that regulates the production and use of genetically
modified organisms to ensure biosafety. This protocol is an international agreement that aims to ensure safe handling,
transport, and consumption of living GMOs while also taking into account its risks to human health. The countries that joined
this protocol are obliged to implement its provisions.

Executive Order No. 430 promulgated a system of biosafety regulations that are used in the Philippines. The said
regulation was already in existence since 1990 and is known to be the first in the world.

National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines is the government agency that is in charge of the
implementation of various regulations related to biotechnology assessment, commercialization of GMOs, and labeling of GMO
products.

47
References

About IUCN. Retrieved from [Link]

Biodiversity & Human Well-being. In Green Facts. Retrieved from [Link]
Biodiversity Hotspots. In [Link]. Retrieved from [Link]
Bynum, N. (2019). 6. Species Diversity. In Biology LibreTexts. Retrieved from
[Link]
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (2009). Ecosystem Services: Key Concepts and Applications, Occasional Paper No 1, Department
of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.
Diaz, J. and J.L. Fridovich-Keil. (2020). Genetically modified organism. In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from [Link]/science/ genetically-
modified-organism
FDA. (2020). How are GMOs Made?
Godani, H. 10 major causes for the loss of biodiversity. In Biology Discussion. Retrieved from [Link]
biodiversity/10-major-causes-for-the-loss-of-biodiversity/8394
Harris. A. The Endemic Species in the Philippines. Retrieved from [Link]
Hilbeck, A., Meyer, H., Wynne, B. et al. GMO regulations and their interpretation: how EFSA’s guidance on risk assessments of GMOs is bound to fail. Environ Sci
Eur 32, 54 (2020). [Link]
Introduction to biodiversity. In PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. Retrieved from [Link]
IUCN. (2012). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp.
IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Retrieved from [Link]
Loss of Biodiversity. In Save Earth. Retrieved from [Link]
Mayuga, J.L. (2019). Invasive alien species: a serious threat to ecosystems, biodiversity. In The Business Mirror. Retrieved from
[Link]
Phillips, T. (2008) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Transgenic crops and
recombinant DNA technology. Nature Education 1(1):213
Priyadarshi, S. 8 major causes of Biodiversity – Explained! In Biology Discussion. Retrieved from [Link]
causes-of-biodiversity-explained/5449
Torres-Uriarte, M. Some introduced alien species in the Philippines and their effects on ecosystems. Retrieved from [Link]
UN Report: Nature’s Dangerous Decline ‘Unprecedented’:Species Extinction Rates ‘Accelerating’. Retrieved from
[Link]

Assessing Learning

Activity 22
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Answer the following questions briefly.

[Link] is diversity related to a healthy society?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the difference between species richness and species evenness?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Link] the three levels of biodiversity. Give examples of each one.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Link] you think GMOs are safe to consume? Explain your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Link] and give examples of the following:

a. Ethical issues about GMOs
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

48
 b. Moral issues about GMOs
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Link] issues about GMOs

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 23
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Make a research on invasive species found in the Philippines. On the table below, list down five invasive species, their
desired effect and their negative effect to the biodiversity.

Negative effect on
Invasive species Desired/expected effect
biodiversity

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Activity 24
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Below are a few more examples of genetically modified organisms. Identify the improved characteristics/traits of
the following:
a. Flavr Savr Tomatoes _______________________________________________________
b. Bt corn _______________________________________________________
c. GM salmon _______________________________________________________
d. Vacanti mouse _______________________________________________________
e. Spider goat _______________________________________________________
f. GM soybeans _______________________________________________________
g. GM apple _______________________________________________________

h. GM alfalfa _______________________________________________________
i. Featherless chicken _______________________________________________________
j. Herman the bull _______________________________________________________

49
 Activity 25
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Write a short essay about the given issue. Your essay should be at least 100 words and should not exceed 300 words.

Bt eggplant is a genetically-modified eggplant developed by Filipino scientists. It was developed to become pest-
resistance containing the gene of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis which contains toxins that are lethal to some insects
including the pest bollworm. Currently, it is under controversy because of a legal battle between its supporters and those who
are against it.

Should the government ban the production, commercialization and consumption of the said product?

UNIT X. THE NANO WORLD

Danny O. Alfonso
Overview
This chapter will give you some knowledge of the application of nanotechnology. This will help you analyze the situation
of today’s trend (use of modern technologies). This chapter will give you an idea of the advantages and disadvantages of using
nanotechnology, is it helpful or not?

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. define nanotechnology;
2. identify risk and issues in nanotechnology; and
3. cite some examples of nanotechnology and its benefits in the society.

Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: Find and encircle all the direction words that are hidden in the grid. The words may be hidden in any direction.

Y T I T L X N P R I V A C Y S D B X N O A S
W E E E R T Y R R T Y O N N A N E T Y L E A
I T Y C G R T R B N E Q U A L I T Y S L L N
W E R N H T D T N M F G H J K L T K C H U O
X D G E J N K I C B J I L E G A L I T Y S N
E T H I C S O C B J T D U T Y T T Y I P P X
W J K C N S G L Q W E R T Y U R Y I O Y A O
E L D S A N D E O P A S E D A F I G H T C S
R N W O O R P S J G K L X P Z X O C V I O O
F D E N N T O E B N Y M O M N B Q V C U N C
H C R A E S E R L K J N S H G F E Z X Q A O
H W F N R U I T D S A A O P O I U Y T E N M
M R A O E Y U Y R N E W M Q W E R T Y U I T
L T N M I C R O S C O P E O P A S D F G H Y
D Y N A Y W E R T Y U I O P N A N O A S D U
S E T I S O P M O C O N A N O I B N M J H F

50
NANO TECHNOLOGY NANOPARTICLES NANOSCIENCE
SENSOR EXOSOME EQUALITY ETHICS
RESEARCH EQUITY LEGALITY PRIVACY
MICROSCOPE NANOCAPSULE BIONANOCOMPOSITES

Lesson Proper

The Nano World

According to Powell and Kanarek (2006), Nanotechnology is also known as “general purpose technology” because of
its global impacts and effects, while some call it “enabling technology” because it supports other technologies. Nanotechnology
is considered a fast-growing area of science and research. It involves both basic and applied research interconnecting in
computer science and information technology, medical technology, agriculture, life sciences, engineering, chemistry, physics,
and mathematics.

What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology. It refers to the development of products or manipulation of matter at the nanoscale. The word
nanotechnology comes from the word nano and technology; nano is one billionth of a quantity and technology application of
scientific knowledge (Stander and Theodore, 2011). The building blocks of nanotechnology is called Nanoparticles. These
particles that are 1 to 100 nanometers in size. A Nanometer is a billionth of a meter. Nanoscience is known as the science of
nanoparticles.

How small is NANO?

Nanoparticles or materials at the nanoscale are larger than atoms and molecules but are smaller than the size of bacteria
and viruses. To see nanoparticles, electron microscope and atomic force microscope must be used.

Potential Use and Application of Nanotechnology

Dayrit (2008), said that nanotechnology has numerous applications. In operating nanoscale, it can easily show the
physical, chemical, and biological properties of matter (solid, liquid, gas). When an object/material is manipulated at the
nanoscale, the features of that object will change and can be used as potential applications. In the nanoscale, the surface area
per mass increases, which allows for an additional surface area for the reaction, which makes it a good catalyst.

A lot of biological activities happen in terms of function, structure, and use. Example: Exosome, secreted by vessels
primarily for transport, which contain loads of proteins and other molecules. Through nanotechnology, exosomes are made to
become potential biomarkers of cancer and other diseases.

The huge choice of uses and applications of these nanoparticles has increased because of its unique properties and
structures, which are now used in medicine, food security, agriculture, environment, and other fields. One good example is the
nanosensor; this sensor is used to detect the pathogens' presence in the food. The detection is in the form of fluorescence.
Another is bionanocomposites, a combination of biopolymers and inorganic molecules that results in the production of
biodegradable plastics. An example of nanotechnology in energy is carbon nanotubes used in the development of
supercapacitors that can store electrical energy like batteries. Also, nanocapsules that are used to deliver soil nutrients and
pesticides efficiently.

Concerns and Issues About Nanotechnology

1. Human Health
Particles are manipulated. Thus, changing its original properties and structure. Exposure to nanoparticles may
cause health impact through direct treatment, contact, inhalation, ingestion, or insertion. There is a need to further
understand, evaluate, and assess the long-term effect of nanoparticles.
2. Environment
Nanotechnology requires raw material that can be attained from the environment. Like in any other
technologies, it has a positive and negative impact on the environment, a need for a deeper understanding of its effect.
3. Ethical Concern
A lot of people are not favor or against nanotechnology. It is been accused for altering or modifying life forms,
which they believe terminating the purity of life. It can lead to the development of biological and chemical weapons,
synthetic organisms, and genome editing, which associated with ethical consideration.
4. Equality and Equity

51
 Also, an issue on unequal access of using these technologies. This technology is said to be only to those who
can afford or have the means. But how about those who couldn’t access and use them? They may suffer from the risk
or the negative effect of using such technology. Hence, there is inequality.
5. Legality, Privacy and Security
A set of issues was raised like security. Example: who is responsible for the monitoring and control of
nanoparticles? Nanotechnology is said to be one of the possible security and threat in the future.
6. Human Behaviour
Nowadays, humans rely mainly on modern technologies. Like other technologies, one of the negative effects of
nanotechnology is that it may affect humans' behavior in terms of the usage and development of new products that may
be addictive. It may reduce human productivity, remember that there is an impact of excessive use of these
technologies. However, Human health and safety and environmental impact should be given the top priority in
researches concerning nanotechnology since humans are the beneficiaries of any research effort in this field.

To help you understand more on the topic nanotechnology, try to watch the videos:
1. TED Talk: Ray Kurzwell on “How Technology Will Transform Us”
2. Film: Powers of 10

References

Dayrit, F.M. (2008). Nanotechnology Business and Practical Applications: Where the Philippines Is and Where it should be.
Powerpoint Presentations. Management Association of the Philippines.. Aug 5, 2008.
Powell, M.C. and Kanarek, M.S. (2006). The Ethics and Politics of Nanotechnology. UNESCO Wisconsin Medical Journal
105(2):16-19.
Stander, L. and Theodore, L. (2011). Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology-An update Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health
8:470-479; doi:10.3390/ijerph8020470.
[Link]

Assessing Learning

Activity 26
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: In your own perspective, define the following terminologies:

1. Nanotechnology
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Link]
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Link]/cite specific example and give a minor/slight description for the given applications of nanotechnology.
Application Example
Medicine

Food

Agriculture

Energy
Information
Technology

52
 Activity 27
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Answer the following questions.

1. Do you think nanotechnology poses health risk? Justify your answer by citing references.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Link] you were a scientist, think of a nanotechnology product that you can use which can be beneficial in your field of
interest.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 28
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Search for a nanotechnology product or application that is already being used in the Philippines or in other country.
Your research output must contain the following:
1. The name of the product or the application.
2. How it was produced/build/develop?
3. What are the PROs and CONs of using the product or application?
4. Cite a possible ethical concerns or issues about the product or application.
5. If you would be given a chance to use such product or application. Will you use it or not?

UNIT XI. GENE THERAPY

Angel Joyce C. Fajardo
Overview
In this unit, you will learn about Gene Therapy, a technique used to treat genetic diseases that otherwise do not have
existing cures. We will also talk about its associated benefits and risks and the different ways it can be performed. The ethical
considerations in performing gene therapy will also be covered.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the unit, I am able to:

1. describe gene therapy and its various forms;
2. identify ethical and moral issues that may arise from gene therapy; and
3. assess the potential benefits and detriments of gene therapy to global health and the society.

Setting Up

Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________

Course/Year/Section: ___________________________

Directions: Did you know that modern science and technology now has ways to cure many previously incurable diseases? Let’s
see if you can benefit from what we will be learning about today by first answering the following questions:

53
 1. Does your family have a medical history of inherited diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart attack, hypertension, or stroke?
If so, please specify which ones.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Have you experienced any problems or difficulties due to these diseases? (Ex.: financial problems, death of a loved one,
etc.)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. If you or a family member is suffering from a certain disease and the doctors tell you that there is a new way to cure these
disease and save your or your family member’s life but it is not guaranteed that there will be no side effects, will you be
willing to undergo the treatment?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What would your life be like if you can make sure that your children and grandchildren will be safe from these family
diseases even before they are born?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lesson Proper

What is Gene Therapy?

A wide range of diseases such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, AIDS, and hemophilia are caused
by genetic irregularities or deformities (Yazdani et al., 2018). Gene therapy is an experimental technique developed in order to
treat these diseases. Gene therapy is the introduction, removal, or alteration of genetic material in order to prevent or treat a
disease.

How Does Gene Therapy Work?

Ideally, gene therapy may someday allow doctors to treat disorders by inserting or replacing genes into a patient’s cells
instead of through surgery or drugs (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2020). There are various approaches in performing gene
therapy, including:
a. Replacing a disease-causing mutated gene with a healthy copy of the gene
b. Inactivating or “silencing” a mutated gene or a gene that is not functioning properly
c. Introducing a new gene into the body to help counteract or fight the disease
d. Correcting the sequence of a mutated gene

Replacing A Mutated Gene (GENE REPLACEMENT)

In order to replace a problematic or mutated gene:
• A functional and healthy gene will be inserted to a viral vector
• The viral vector will carry and place the healthy gene on the site of mutation
• The mutated non-functional gene will be “spliced” or cut and removed
• The healthy gene will be attached and becomes a part of the final DNA strand.

54
 Figure 20. Gene Replacement
Source:[Link]

Gene Silencing or Gene Knockdown

Figure 22. Comparison between normal protein production and the

protein production upon gene silencing
Source:[Link]

This method aims to repress or turn off the function of a mutated gene which prevents the cells from producing disease-
causing proteins. Gene silencing reduces the expression of a disease-causing gene (Hood, 2004; Mocellin & Provenzano, 2004).
It can be done by:
a. inserting a repressor a.k.a silencer gene that reduces or prevents the expression of the mutated gene
b. editing the gene to make it impossible for it to produce the protein it codes for

Although gene silencing is often considered as the same thing as gene knockdown, this is debatable because some say
that when genes are knocked out, they are often completely removed or erased from the genome in order to stop their
expression (Hood, 2004; Mocellin & Provenzano, 2004).

Introducing a New Gene (GENE ADDITION)

In gene addition, new and functional genes are introduced or added into the genome to help fight or prevent a disease
(Pharmaphorum, 2019).

The introduction of a new gene can also be used to kill specific diseased cells. This is useful for diseases like cancer.

There are two ways to do this:

1. by inserting a gene called the suicide gene into the diseased cells that will cause the cells to die
2. by inserting a gene that will cause the cells to produce a protein that will mark them as a target for the body’s
natural immune system response.

Correcting the sequence of a mutated gene (GENE EDITING)

In gene editing, instead of replacing the whole gene, the specific error is located and edited.

55
Two types of Gene Therapy
There are two distinct types of gene therapy, depending on the nature of the target cells: Somatic and Germline Gene
Therapy. If the target cells are anybody cells except the sperm and egg cell and the cells that produce them, this is Somatic Gene
Therapy. When the cells targeted are either sperm or egg cells, this is Germline Gene Therapy (Chatterjee, Singh, & Saluja, 2013).

Figure 3. Two types of cells

Source:[Link]

Somatic Gene Therapy

This type of gene therapy is effective in treating diseases like muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, cancer, and some
infectious diseases. The effects of this method are short-lived and will not be passed on to the next generation. So, the children
of a patient treated using somatic gene therapy are still at risk of contracting the diseases.

Figure 4. The Process for Somatic Gene Therapy

Source:[Link]

Somatic Gene Therapy can be done ex vivo (outside the body) or in vivo (inside the body)

Germline Gene Therapy

In Germline Gene Therapy, on the other hand, the cells that produce the reproductive cells or sex cells (the egg or
sperm) are modified, and all the cells of the resulting embryo will possess the edited gene. The effect of removing or correcting
the disease will be passed on to the patient’s children as well as the generations after them. Therefore, there is a possibility of
permanently removing an inherited disorder or disease from a family line. As of 2014, about 40 countries have discouraged or
banned research on Germline Gene Therapy (Araki & Ishii, 2014). It is currently not allowed to be done on humans because of
ethical and safety concerns and issues regarding possible permanent changes in human genes.

Challenges Associated with Gene Therapy

While Gene Therapy is no doubt a breakthrough in science and medicine, there are several challenges to its success and
problems that can be associated with it.

A. Gene Delivery and Activation

In most cases, a therapeutic gene needs to be delivered not just to a single cell but to groups of cells or tissues.
This requires an accurate and specific gene delivery. Otherwise, gene therapy may be useless. After arriving at the

56
 correct target cells, the genes must also be “turned on” and have to remain “on”. However, cells can have the tendency
to “turn off” certain genes when there are already too many active genes.

In some cases, delivered genes may also be overactivated, causing their overexpression. The overproduction
of enzymes or proteins due to this overactivation may lead to other health issues and problems.

B. The Body’s Immune Response

Our immune system is naturally inclined to attack any foreign intruders like viruses and bacteria. Because gene
therapy uses viral vectors to transport genes, they need to be able to avoid the body’s immune system to prevent it
from attacking them. This is often challenging to do.

Additionally, the treatment effects are often short-lived, so patients will need to undergo multiple rounds of
gene therapy. However, if the patient’s immunity is low due to gene therapy, there is a risk for the disease to progress
or get worse. This makes it even more difficult to repeat gene therapy.

C. Impact to Non-Target Genes and Cells

While very small, there is also a risk of attaching or inserting modified genes into the wrong part of the genome
or the wrong cell, which can lead to a series of reactions that can cause cell death. This may also negatively affect the
function of surrounding healthy cells.

Viral vectors also tend to disrupt vital genes, possibly leading to another disease or predisposition to other
diseases like cancer. This can also trigger inflammatory, toxicity, or immune responses. Other cells may also be targeted
aside from the target cells.

D. Limited Access and Commercial Availability

Many genetic diseases are not common. For rare diseases, gene therapy should be individualized and
customized to every patient to ensure effectiveness. This makes developing and administering gene therapy very
expensive.

Even for more common genetic disorders and related diseases like cancer, gene therapy is still more costly
than other treatment options. Because of this, many people cannot afford and do not have access to gene therapy.

E. Multi-gene Disorders
Multiple genes with different functions control genetic disorders like high blood pressure, heart disease,
arthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. So, to treat these diseases, many genes may have to be corrected, deleted,
or replaced. Doing so may lead to complicated reactions in the body or possibly even more dangerous diseases.

Ethical Questions in Gene Therapy

Because it involves changing the body’s genetic information, the use of Gene Therapy, especially germline gene therapy,
is a widely debated topic due to its ethical issues (US National Library of Medicine, 2020). Some of the ethical questions about
gene therapy that we should address are:
1. How can we distinguish “good” from “bad” gene therapy?
2. Who gets to decide which traits and genes constitute a disability or disorder?
3. Because of the expensive costs of gene therapy, will it only be available for rich people?
4. Is there a possibility that a widespread use of gene therapy can make society less accepting of people who are different?
5. Aside from medical applications, should we be allowed to use gene therapy for enhancements of basic human traits
such as athletic ability, height, intelligence, and hair or eye color?

Online Video Watching:

If you are interested to learn more about Gene Therapy and other related topics, you may watch the following videos
that you can find online (optional):
1. TED Talk: Juan Enriquez on “The Next Species of Human”
[Link]
2. TED Talk: Susan Lim on “Transplant Cells Not Organs”
[Link]
3. Science Fiction: Stem Cell Research (Youtube)
[Link]
57
References

Araki, M., & Ishii, T. (2014). International regulatory landscape and integration of corrective genome editing into in vitro fertilization. Reprod Biol Endocrinol,
12, 108. doi:10.1186/1477-7827-12-108
Chatterjee, A., Singh, N., and Saluja, M. (2013) Gene Therapy in periodontics. Journal of Indian Society Periodontology. 17(2):156-161
Hood E (March 2004). "RNAi: What's all the noise about gene silencing?". Environmental Health Perspectives. 112 (4): A224–9. doi:10.1289/ehp.112-a224.
PMC 1241909. PMID 15033605.
Mocellin S, Provenzano M (November 2004). "RNA interference: learning gene knock-down from cell physiology". Journal of Translational Medicine. 2 (1): 39.
doi:10.1186/1479-5876-2-39. PMC 534783. PMID 15555080.
Pharmaphorum (2019). Gene addition - a new chapter in treating rare diseases. Retrieved from [Link]
addition-a-new-chapter-in-treating-rare-
diseases/#:~:text=A%20technique%20called%20'gene%20addition,to%20fight%20or%20prevent%20disease on July 20, 2020
U.S. National Library of Medicine (2020). Your Guide to Understanding Genetic Conditions: What is Gene Therapy? Retrieved from
[Link] on July 20, 2020
U.S. National Library of Medicine (2020). Your Guide to Understanding Genetic Conditions: What is Gene Therapy? Retrieved from
[Link] on July 20, 2020
Yazdani, A., Alirezaie, Z.,Motamedi, M.J., & Amani, J. (2018) Gene Therapy: A New Approach in Modern Medicine. Int J Med Rev 2018 Sep;5(3):106-117.

Assessing Learning

Activity 29
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ________________________
Course/Year/Section: ___________________________ Score: _______________________

Directions: Answer the following questions by selecting and writing ONLY THE CAPITAL LETTER of the correct answer on the
space before each number. Any form of erasures or alteration is NOT allowed. Write:
A if only the first statement is correct
B if only the second statement is correct
C if both statements are correct and
D if both statements are wrong
_______1. A. Gene therapy is a great way to treat all kinds of diseases.
B. Gene therapy involves replacing, removing, modifying, and adding genes.

_______2. A. Gene therapy can replace surgery or drugs.

B. Diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer are just some of the diseases that can be treated through
gene therapy.

_______3. A. Diseases caused by mutated genes can be cured by removing or replacing the problematic gene.
B. The same form of viruses that carry diseases is used to carry the gene in gene therapy.

_______4.A. Germline Gene therapy results are not inheritable or passed on to the next generations.
B. Somatic Gene therapy is performed on reproductive or sex cells.

_______5.A. Ex vivo gene therapy is done outside the body while in vivo is done inside.
B. Germline Gene Therapy may be performed in vivo or ex vivo.

_______6. A. Overactivation of genes is a positive effect of gene therapy.

B. Gene therapy is a cheaper alternative to medication and surgery.

_______7. A. Somatic gene therapy is generally more accepted in the medical community than germline gene therapy.
B. Defective genes can be silenced by adding suicide or repressor genes.

_______8. A. All genetic diseases involve errors or defects in only one gene.
B. Gene therapy can make a patient more susceptible to other diseases.

_______9. A. Effects of gene therapy are lifelong.

B. Gene editing is more specific than gene replacement.

_______10.A. Gene silencing prevents the target gene from producing a disease-causing protein.
B. In gene addition, a new mutant gene is introduced into the genome to help fight or prevent a disease.
58