Science, Technology and Society ● convergent - it brings together various fields of

science through its innovations, e.g., DNA

silicon chips, converging between
Module 9 - Information Age semiconductor science.
● involves design, characterization,
The Gutenberg Press production, and application of structures,
devices, and systems by controlling shapes and
Johannes Gutenberg sizes at the nanometer scale.
● invented the printing press (1440) ● this technology is “enabling” in the sense that
● Result of finding a way to improve the manual, it provides the platform and the tools to produce
tedious, and slow printing methods. innovations.
Printing Press - device that applies pressure to an
inked surface lying on a print medium to transfer ink.
Three dimensions must be considered:
Gutenberg’s hand mold printing press led to the creation
of metal movable type. 1. Tangible objects - includes materials, devices,
and systems.
The two inventions were combined to make printing 2. Passive and static objects - nanoparticles
methods faster. that have properties of different bulk objects,
even if they have the same composition.
Turing Machine (Enigma M4 Cypher Machine) 3. Direct nanotechnology - materials structured
at nanoscale components. This also extends to
Alan Turing indirect nanotechnology, which starts with
● English mathematician nanoparticles but can be used in huge
● was hired in 1936 by the British top-secret applications
Government Code and Cipher School at
Bletchley Park to break the Enigma code.
● His code-breaking methods became an Applications of Nanotechnology
industrial process. Medicine
● Working on the side of the Allies, invented ● Assisted by the view of molecules afforded by
Bombe - an electromechanical machine that X-ray lasers.
enabled the British to decipher encrypted ● Biological mechanisms can be simulated to
messages of the German Enigma machine. destroy a cancer cell while it is treated by drug-
bearing nanoparticles.
Apple I Computer ● Nanobots, or molecular-scale workers can
employ molecular processes within cells, which
Steve Wozniak (1976) can deliver drugs to specific molecular sites or
● co-founder of Apple Inc., developed the even carry out surgery (Biercuk, 2011).
computer that made him famous: the Apple I. ● It is now possible to diagnose prevalent
● Designed the operating system, hardware, contagious diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria,
and circuit board of the computer all by himself. tuberculosis, among others, with screening
● Steve Jobs - Wozniak’s friend suggested to devices using nanotechnology (Maclurcan,
sell the Apple I as a fully assembled printed 2005).
circuit board. This jumpstarted their career as
founders of Apple Inc.
Water purification systems
● containing nanomaterials and utilizing new
Module 10 - Nanotechnology membrane technologies containing variable
Nanotechnology pore-sized filters.
● branch of technology that deals with the ●
manipulation and study of matter at the Used to prepare heat-resistant and self-cleaning
nanoscale. surfaces, such as floors and benchtops. Nanoparticles
Scientists involved in studying matter on the nanoscale: of silicon dioxide or titanium dioxide can also make a
surface repel water, thus preventing stains.
● chemistry
● biology
● physics Agriculture
● materials science, and
● engineering ● applied to breed crops with higher levels of
micronutrients to detect pets and to control food
processing.
Nanotechnology A nanotechnology-inspired detector from
Washington, which can sense the smallest amount of
radiation, located a nuclear leak faster and more a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic
accurately at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power technology.
Plant (Zhang et al., 2011).
Bio nanotechnology - support cleaner production GMOs are produced using scientific methods:
methods and provide alternative and renewable energy
sources to enhance the sustainability of factories 1. recombinant DNA technology - involves the
(Colvin, 2003). insertion of one genes from an organism of one
Nanotechnology helps in energy consumption. species into the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of
another.
In the Philippines, nanotechnology can be applied in
making sources of renewable energy accessible to Whole-genome replacement - transplantation of one
many, developing medicine that would address bacterial genome into the “cell body,” or cytoplasm, of
serious diseases, improving the state of agriculture, another microorganism - technology is still limited to
and more. basic scientific applications.

2. reproductive cloning - a nucleus is extracted from

Challenges
a cell of the individual to be cloned and is inserted
● Price into the enucleated cytoplasm of a host egg.
● Environmental effect results: genetically identical to the donor individual.
● Lack of information
● Risk First animal produced by cloning technique was a
sheep named Dolly, born in 1996.
Dr. Richard Feyman
Other animals: pigs, horses, and dogs.
● Nobel Prize winner
● presented the first concept of tech. Genetically Modified Organisms - produced through
Norio Taniguchi genetic technologies:
● agriculture
● invented the term nanotechnology in 1974.
● medicine
Sumio Iijima ● research
● manipulated & developed atoms to create new ● and environmental management.
nanomaterials.
Disadvantage: the production of GMOs remains a
Kim Eric Drexler
highly controversial topic in many parts of the world.
● popularized the potential of molecular
nanotech. in 1970's-1980's. GMOs In Agriculture
1994 - Genetically modified (GM) foods were first
approved for human consumption in the United States.
Applications of Nanotechnology
1. Energy production and conservation - 2014–2015 - 90% of the corn, cotton, and soybeans
increase energy generated from windmills planted in the United States
2. Agricultural productivity - pest detection. ● Papaya - first genetically modified fruit (native
- detection of coil quality in Central America.)
3. Water treatment - cleaning #20 pollutants
4. Diagnosis of diseases. Genetically modified varieties like Rainbow and
5. Food processing and storage SunUp or Sunrise were developed in Hawaii to resist
6. Remediation of air pollutants the papaya ringspot virus.
7. Construction activities.
8. Consumer products End of 2014 - GM crops covered nearly 1.8 million
9. Sporting goods square kilometres of land. The majority of GM crops
10. Development of more effective drugs. were grown in the Americas.

Module 11 - Genetically Modified Organisms Engineered crops reduce the use of chemical
(GMOs) insecticides.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) - organism Potatoes, cotton, and corn were endowed with a gene
whose genome has been engineered in the laboratory. from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis - produces
Like: microorganisms, plants or animals. a natural insecticide: Bt toxin.

GMO is a plant, animal, microorganism or other Field studies in India - Bt cotton was compared with
organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in non-Bt cotton demonstrated a 30–80 % increase in
yield from the GM crop. Ability to overcome bollworm that increase iron bioavailability via digestion of phytate
infestation. (an inhibitor of iron absorption).

Arizona, U.S., - Studies of Bt cotton production - only Iron-fortified GM rice was engineered to overexpress
small gains in yield—about 5 % —with an estimated an existing rice gene that produces a cysteine-rich
cost reduction of $25–$65 (USD) per acre owing to metallothione is like (metal-binding) protein that
decreased pesticide applications. enhances iron absorption.

China - farmers first gained access to Bt cotton (1997) Benefits of genetic engineering in agriculture are:
the GM crop was initially successful. 1. Increased crop yields,
2. Reduced costs for food or drug production,
Farmers who had planted Bt cotton reduced their 3. Reduced need for pesticides,
pesticide use by 50–80 % and increased their earnings 4. Enhanced nutrient composition and food quality,
by as much as 36 %. By 2004, farmers found that the 5. Resistance to pests and disease,
benefits of the Bt cotton eroded as populations of 6. Greater food security, and
secondary insect pests, such as mirids, increased.
7. Medical benefits to the world's growing population.
Bt resistance evolved in field populations of major
Advances
cotton pests:
● developing crops that mature faster
● the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera)
● tolerate aluminum, boron, salt, drought, frost,
● the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella).
and other stressors, allowing plants to grow.
GM plants were engineered for resistance to a
Other applications - the production of nonprotein
specific chemical herbicide.
(bioplastic) or nonindustrial (ornamental plant)
products.
Herbicide-resistant crops (HRC) have been available
since the mid-1980s
Animals have been genetically engineered to increase
● Enable effective chemical control of weeds. In
yield and decrease susceptibility to disease. Like:
order to reduce the risk of selecting for
salmon have been engineered to grow larger and
herbicide-resistant weeds, farmers must use
mature faster and cattle have been enhanced to exhibit
multiple diverse weed-management
resistance to mad cow disease (United States
strategies.
Department of Energy, 2007).
● Resistant to glyphosate (Roundup). It also
helps prevent soil erosion.
GMOs in Medicine and Research
● HRCs encourage increased application of
GM animal models of human genetic diseases
chemicals to the soil.
enabled researchers to test novel therapies and to
explore the roles of candidate risk factors and modifiers
Example of a GM crop: “golden” rice - originally was
of disease outcome.
intended for Asia and to produce almost 20 times the
beta-carotene.
GM microbes, plants, and animals also revolutionized
the production of complex pharmaceuticals by
● Golden rice - created by modifying the rice
enabling the generation of safer and cheaper vaccines
genome to include a gene from the daffodil
and therapeutics.
Narcissus pseudonarcissus that produces an
● Hepatitis B vaccine produced by GM baker’s
enzyme (phyotene synthase) and a gene from
yeast
the bacterium (erwinia uredovora) that
● Injectable insulin (for diabetics) produced in
produces an enzyme called phyotene
GM Escherichia coli bacteria
desaturase. Enabled beta-carotene, which is
● Factor VIII (for blood clotting - for
converted to vitamin A in the human liver, to
hemophiliacs)
accumulate in the rice endosperm - the edible
● Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA, for heart
part of the rice plant.
attack or stroke patients).
2004 - improved generating golden rice 2, showed a 23-
GM plants that produce “edible vaccines” – it is an
fold increase in carotenoid production.
antigenic protein that is produced in the
consumable parts of a plant (e.g., fruit) and absorbed
Modified rice - generated to help combat iron
into the bloodstream when the parts are eaten. Once
deficiency - impacts 30 % of the world population.
absorbed into the body, the protein stimulates the
immune system to produce antibodies against the
GM crop was engineered into the rice genome a ferritin
pathogen from which the antigen was derived. Offer a
gene from the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) -
safe, inexpensive, and painless way to provide
which produces a protein capable of binding iron and
vaccines iless-developed regions - the limited
gene from the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus that
availability of refrigeration and sterile needles. Novel
produces an enzyme capable of digesting compounds
DNA vaccines may be useful in the struggle to prevent ● Genetic manipulation may potentially alter the
diseases that have proved resistant to traditional allergenic properties of crops. Golden rice -
vaccination approaches like: HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, deliver on the promise of improved health
& cancer. benefits is also unclear.
● GM mosquitoes and other GMOs into the
Genetic modification of insects. Like: the struggle to environment also raised concerns. The
prevent parasitic diseases. potential spread of engineered crop genes to
native flora and the possible evolution of
Example: GM mosquitoes have been developed that insecticide-resistant “superbugs.”
express a small protein called SM1, which blocks entry
of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium, into the 1990s - European Union (EU) addressed such
mosquito’s gut. concerns by implementing strict GMO labeling laws.

● Results 2000s - all GM foods and GM animal feeds in the EU

○ The disruption of the parasite’s life were required to be labeled if they consisted of or
cycle and renders the mosquito contained GM products in a proportion greater than
malaria-resistant. 0.9%. The United States - foods containing GM
○ Could help reduce transmission of ingredients did not require special labeling
the malaria parasite. Example: male
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes engineered Despite the concerns of some consumer and health
with a method known as the sterile groups in Europe, including the U.S. Food and Drug
insect technique - transmit a gene to Administration, concluded that consumption of GM
their offspring that causes the offspring foods was safe.
to die before becoming sexually
mature. The strict regulations on GM products in the EU have
been a source of tension in agricultural trade.
Genetic modification of humans via gene therapy -
becoming a treatment option for diseases ranging from 1990s, the EU declared a moratorium on the import
rare metabolic disorders to cancer. and use of GM crops. The ban led to trade disputes with
other countries, particularly the United States, where
● Coupling stem cell technology with GM foods had been accepted openly—was considered
recombinant DNA methods allows stem cells unjustified by the World Trade Organization.
derived from a patient to be modified in the
laboratory to introduce a desired gene. The EU implemented regulatory changes that allowed
○ Normal beta-globin gene introduced for the import of certain GM crops. Within Europe,
into the DNA of bone marrow-derived however, only one GM crop, a type of insect-resistant
hematopoietic stem cells from a patient corn (maize), was cultivated. Countries like African
with sickle cell anemia; introduction of states, had rejected GM products. Still other countries,
these GM cells into the patient could such as Canada, China, Argentina, and Australia,
cure the disease without the need for a had open policies on GM foods.
matched donor.
Use of GMOs in medicine and research has produced
GMOs In Environmental Management a debate that is more philosophical in nature.
Bacteria - produce biodegradable plastics
● the transfer of that ability to microbes that can Example: people worry that current gene therapy
be easily grown in the laboratory may enable approaches may one day be applied to produce
the wide-scale “greening” of the plastics “designer” children or to lengthen the natural human life
industry. span.

1990s - Zeneca (British company) Current Use of Genetically Modified Organisms

developed a microbially produced biodegradable plastic
called Biopol (polyhydroxyalkanoate, or PHA) - was Agricultural plants - one of the most frequently cited
made with the use of a GM bacterium, Ralstonia examples of GMOs.
eutropha, to convert glucose and organic acids into a
flexible polymer. GMOs with the bacterially encoded Risks and Controversies Surrounding the Use of
ability to metabolize oil and heavy metals may provide GMOs
efficient bioremediation strategies.
● Unknown consequences to altering the natural
Sociopolitical Relevance Of GMOs state of an organism through foreign gene
GMOs have potential risks associated with them have expression. Alterations can change:
fueled controversy like in the food industry. ○ organism's metabolism
○ growth rate
Dangers in human health:
 ○ response to external environmental Living organisms adapt to the physical characteristics of
factors. these areas and develop their niche, the ecological role
● Potential health risks to humans: they play in the environment.
○ possibility of exposure to new
allergens in genetically modified foods Biodiversity serves as sources of food and energy in
○ transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes to addition to water and clean air. Through biodiversity, we
gut flora. have an access to natural services like water
● Horizontal gene transfer of pesticide, herbicide, purification, soil fertility, waste disposal, pest control and
or antibiotic resistance to other organisms aesthetic pleasure.
would:
○ ecological imbalances - allowing Biodiversity enables the discovery and use of plants
previously innocuous plants to grow as medicines, microorganisms as sources of
uncontrolled. antibiotics, and marine animals for various compounds
○ promoting the spread of disease of industrial use.
among both plants and animals.
3 Components of Biodiversity
Horizontal gene transfer occurs naturally at a very low Genetic Diversity - refers to variation or differences in
rate and cannot be simulated in an optimized laboratory the genes of a species of individuals. Hogs, for
environment without active modification of the target example, are of the same species but of different
genome to increase susceptibility. breeds. Saccharomyces cerevisiae - specific group of
yeasts but may exhibit different metabolic
The enhanced mating advantages of the genetically characteristics
modified fish led to a reduction in the viability of their
offspring. When a new transgene is introduced into a Species Diversity - involves a combination of species
wild fish population, it propagates and may eventually number (i.e., Species richness) and their relative
threaten the viability of both the wild-type and the abundance in a particular area (i.e., species evenness).
genetically modified organisms.
The latter is measure of whether a particular ecosystem
Module 12 - Biodiversity and Health Society is dominated by a single species or if similar number of
individuals is present. Evenness may either be high
Biodiversity or biological diversity - vast concept that (i.e., all species are represented by the same number of
means a lot of things. individuals) or low (i.e., some species are represented
by many individuals while others are not).
First: that living organisms are numerous, to the largest
creatures and are composed of several species or Species - group of interbreeding organisms with similar
groups; these organisms interact with one another structures.
and with nonliving things.
Community or Ecological Diversity n- refers to a
Second: living organisms are abundant in habitats variety of ecosystems in a given region.
supplying all the foods and requirements that they
need. Aquatic ecosystems - freshwater, marine, estuary and
coastal.
Third: organisms have different growth and metabolic Terrestrial ecosystem - grassland, forest, desert and the
characteristics unique to a particular group and variable like.
reproductive patterns.
Abiotic factors like air, water, temperature, humidity,
Fourth: biodiversity is essential to human survival. pH, light intensity, current and many more.
The latter is the most important because without
diversity, life can be dull and boring; with scarce Importance of Biodiversity
resources. Affects humans on various aspects: economy, health
and culture aesthetic and environmental issues.
Biodiversity is the variety of life in the simplest term.
Contraction of two words - biological diversity refers ● source of foods, clothing, shelter and
to the number, variety and variability of living organisms. medicines.
Includes: species, ecosystems-the multitude of living ● source of raw materials for industry activities.
organisms across all levels and how they interact with ● enjoy different products and goods, clean air
each other and with their surrounding environment-as and water, soil and water resources due to
well. biodiversity.
Includes: interdependence/interrelationships of all
living things in the areas where they live called Two fundamental sciences, taxonomy and ecology
habitats, whether artificial or natural. generate knowledge and information to fully
understand the importance of biodiversity for human
survival.
 frequent grass and forest fires, changes in sea
Limitations: temperature.
1. Biodiversity conservation strategies focused on 5. Exploitation - any form of abuse to flora and
research and policy on global scale without too fauna threatens biological diversity. Collecting
much effect on local diversity. them in huge amounts may threaten their
2. Lack of site-specific data on species proliferation.
composition of communities. 6. Overpopulation
3. Biodiversity studies lacking in taxonomic
precision. Conserving Biodiversity
4. Few taxonomists. Diversity can be prevented through:
5. Insufficient biodiversity inventory and ● appropriate research
assessment. ● government legislation
● education and awareness and
Status of Philippine Biodiversity ● sustainable use of biodiversity.
The Philippines being a tropical and archipelagic .
country has very rich and diverse flora and fauna Techniques in Conserving Biodiversity
(National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, 2002). 1. Cell and tissue culture allow the
Considered as a biodiversity hotspot, the country propagation/multiplication of organisms at a
attracts tourists and scientists to come over and rapid pace.
examine its natural resources. 2. Cryopreservation technology - it is a non-
lethal storage of organelles, cells, tissues of
The 2014 data show that there are 211 wild bone biological constructs at ultra low
fauna/animals and 526 wild flora/ plants which are temperature. Enables the conservation of
threatened. germplasm. In the Philippines, this is currently
used by the Philippine Carabao Center.
Threats to Biodiversity 3. Advances in molecular biology and genetics
1. Habitat destruction - loss of biodiversity can be have taken a stronghold in analyzing individual
the worst end result of numerous anthropogenic strains of an organism, identify species and
activities. Like: urbanization, construction, predict future phenotypes. Very important
agricultural land development, logging, river technique in maintaining biodiversity.
damming and use of pesticides, herbicides and
fertilizers. The Role of Evolution in Biodiversity
2. Pollution - unnatural increase in the Evolution - how the genetic composition of species
concentrations of naturally-occurring changes over time.
environmental compounds such as heavy ● Microevolution - evolution below the species
metals, radionuclide, nitrates, phosphates, level.
cyanides, agricultural wastes, sewage, ● Macroevolution - type that gives rise to new
pathogens, gases, particulates and many species or larger groups such as new genera,
more. family, class or phyla.
3. Introduction of non-native species and new
varieties - Inartificial selection - humans determine which
● Non-native species or Invasive Alien individuals breed as exemplified by the specific crops
Species (IAS) includes exotic micro- that are bred and varieties come out.
and macro- species. It could become a Natural selection - he environment may also determine
threat to other organisms as they which organisms or individuals survive and perpetuate.
become invasive especially if they have
an ecological niche similar with the Points to remember:
native ones. 1. Individual varies and variations could be
● Some invasive species affecting the inherited for several generations. The
aquaculture industry include Janitor variations may confer advantages to the next
fish, Clown knife fish, giant snakehead, generations so that the individuals have better
Black-chin tilapia and Jaguar guapote capacity to adapt and survive.
● Worst invasive plant species found in ○ Adaptations - afford the organism a
the Philippines include Chromolaena better chance to survive in its
odorata, Mikania micrantha, Leucaena surrounding.
leucocephala, Lantana camara, ○ Some organisms may also exhibit
Imperata cylindrical, Hiptage camouflage - the ability to blend with
benghalesis and Eichhornia crassipes. surroundings and a common example
4. Global climate change - gradual increase in the of an adaptation.
world's temperature also threatens biodiversity. 2. Evolution may be slow or rapid depending on
Like: meltdown of icebergs in polar regions the rate of environmental change, amount of
leading to sea level rise, increase in amount of genetic variation in the species, population size
rainfalls, too hot summers and too cold winters,
 involved and generation time of particular
species.
○ Speciation - if new species are created
by geographic reproductive isolation,
or sympatric, one species evolves into
two species without being
geographically isolated.
3. Extinction - dying out or termination of a
species.