CHAPTER 4: THE HUMAN PERSON original sense, expediting is also a

FLOURISHING IN TERMS OF SCIENCE AND process of revealing in as much as it

TECHNOLOGY “unlocks” and “exposes” something.
Things that are revealed in an expedited
TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING manner are brought forth as resources
that must be used efficiently.
MARTIN HEIDEGGER Things as standing in reserve, on the
a German philosopher who is widely regarded as other hand, are called to come forth in
one of the most important philosophers of the 20th challenging and expediting.
century Things as standing in reserve are not
Addresses modern technology and its “objects”.
essence as an instrumental way of They are reduced into the objectlessness
revealing the world of modern technology.
Machines and technical procedures Nothing anymore “stands against us” as
The essence of technology concerns objects of autonomy and wonder.
causality The modern and the old technologies are
Essence of technology as a way in which of different modes of revealing, the former
humans encounter entities such as nature, artificial and the latter natural.
self, and, indeed, everything. For Heidegger enframing is the “essence”
Modern technology is conceived as of modern technology. Enframing simply
means to achieve ends means putting into the frame of modern
technology everything in nature.
Essence of technology This “frame” of modern technology is the
First, the essence of technology is not network or interlocking things standing in
something we make; it is a mode of being, reserve.
or revealing. Take for example, the contrast between
The second point is that technology even how the modern technology of the
holds sway over beings that we do not hydropower plant and the old technology
normally think of as technological, such as of a wooden bridge reveal the presence
gods and history of a river.
Third, the essence of technology as
Heidegger discusses it is primarily a HUMAN FLOURISHING
matter of modern and industrial not only good fortune and material
technology. prosperity but a situation achieved
And fourth for Heidegger , technology through virtue, knowledge and excellence
is not simply the practical application of it is thus inseparable from self-awareness
natural science. and self- cultivation, and this “self” far
from being an isolated individual, is
Two characteristics of modern technology as experientially and practically a center of
a revealing process relationships.
the affirmation that human flourishing
[Link] mode of revealing of modern technology is implies development of the individual in
a challenging his intellectual, affective, moral and
Things are revealed or brought forth by spiritual dimensions obviously needs
challenging or demanding them. elaboration.
“Challenging” as a mode of revealing Plato in the Republic, contends that the
nature could be sharply contrasted soul, or mind, has three motivating parts:
“Physis” which is the arising of something rational, spirited or emotional and
from itself, a bringing- forth or poieses. appetitive.
This kind of ordering is best described as Eudomenia or human flourishing requires
“artificial” in contrast to natural ordering. It an ordering of this tripartite structure of
sees nature as an object of manipulation the soul: the rational and spirited parts.
and not anymore as an autonomous
reality demanding respect and admiration ASPECTS OF HUMAN NATURE
Physical
2. The challenging that brings forth the energy of Social
nature is an “expediting” Rational
Expediting means to hasten the Emotional
movement of something. However, in its
HUMAN FLOURISHING
Human flourishing is real and highly
personal by nature, consists in the
fulfillment of both a man’s human nature
and unique potentialities, and is
concerned with choices and actions that
necessarily deal with the particular and
the contingent.
The idea of human flourishing is inclusive
and can encompass a wide variety of
constitutive ends such as knowledge, the
development of character traits,
productive work, religious pursuits,
community building, love, charitable
activities, allegiance to persons and
causes, self-efficacy, material well-being,
pleasurable sensations, etc.

To flourish, a man must pursue goals that are

both rational for him individually and also as a
human being. Whereas the former will vary
depending upon one’s particular circumstances,
the latter are common to man’s distinctive nature
– man has the unique capacity to live rationally.
Living rationally ( i.e., consciously ) means
dealing with the world conceptually.
Living consciously implies respect for the
facts of reality.
Although rationality is not always
rewarded, the fact remains that it is
through the use of one’s mind that a man
not only discovers the values required for
personal flourishing, he attains them.
Values can be achieved in reality if a man
recognizes and adheres to the reality of
his unique personal endowments and
contingent circumstances.
Human flourishing is positively related to a
rational man’s attempts to externalize his
values and actualize his internal views of
how things ought to be in the outside
world.
 Disagreed with,Plato about the value of
pleasure but fully agreed that good life has
CHAPTER 5: THE GOOD LIFE to be virtuous.
Today, this hedonistic conception of the
What is a Good Life? good life is arguably dominant in Western
One of the oldest philosophical questions. culture.
Everyone wants to live well and no one What is key to this hedonistic conception
wants “the bad life. of the good life is that it emphasizes
Philosophers specialize in unpacking subjective experiences.
hidden complexities, and the concept of
the good life is one of those that needs ARISTOTLE
quite a bit of unpacking. According to him, we all want to be happy.
Good is to express moral approval. We value many things because they are a
Good person possess and practice many means to other things.
of the most important virtues. Happiness is something we value not as a
Virtuous person > supposedly good things means to some other end but for its own
such as pleasure, wealth, or power. sake.
(Socrates and Plato) It has intrinsic value rather than
In Plato’s dialogue Gorgias, Socrates instrumental value.
takes this position to an extreme. He
argues that it is much better to suffer The Ten Golden Rules on Living a Good Life
wrong than to do it. (Michael Soupios and Panos Mourdoukoutas)
In his masterpiece, the Republic, Plato
develops this argument in greater detail. 1. Examine life, engage life with a
The morally good person, enjoys a sort of vengeance; always search for new
inner harmony, whereas the wicked pleasures and new destinies to reach with
person, no matter how rich and powerful your mind.
he may be or how many pleasure he 2. Worry only about the things that are in
enjoys, is disharmonious, fundamentally at your control, the things that can be
odds with himself and the world. influenced and changed by your actions,
It is worth noting, though, that in both the not about the things that are beyond your
Gorgias and the Republic, Plato bolsters capacity to direct or alter.
his argument with a speculative account of 3. Treasure Friendship, the reciprocal
an afterlife in which virtuous people are attachment that fills the need for affiliation.
rewarded and wicked people are 4. Experience True Pleasure. True pleasure
punished. is disciplined and restrained.
5. Master Yourself. Self-mastery requires
Other concepts about good life ruthless candor.
Hindus expect that the law of karma will 6. Avoid Excess. Live life in harmony and
ensure that their good deeds and balance.
intentions will be rewarded, while 7. Be a Responsible Human Being.
evilactions and desires will be punished, 8. Don’t Be a Prosperous Fool. Prosperity
either in this life or in future lives. by itself is not a cure-all against an ill-led
Many religions also conceive of the good life and may be a source of dangerous
life in moral terms as a life lived according foolishness.
to God’s laws. 9. Don’t Do Evil to Others. Harming others
claims two victims—the receiver of the
EPICURUS harm, and the victimizer, the one who
The ancient Greek philosopher that does harm.
first to declare, bluntly, that what makes 10. Kindness towards others tends to be
life worth living is that we can experience rewarded. Helping others bestows a
pleasure. sense of satisfaction that has two
Hedonism – The view that pleasure is the beneficiaries the beneficiary, the receiver
good, or that pleasure is what makes life of the help, and the benefactor, the one
worth living. who provides the help.
Hedonism has slightly negative
Connotations when applied to a person
due to so called “lower pleasures”.
What is human existence? Public good is that which benefits by its use, the
The meaning of existence is derived from communal or national public. This can be
philosophical and religious contemplation perceived in two levels.
and scientific inquiries about, social ties,
consciousness and happiness. First level (comes from the people themselves)
Philosophers have tried to find the secret People perceive the public good to be
of existence, the meaning of it all. beneficial to most if not to all of them..
They as individuals may suffer as
ARISTOTLE beneficiaries from its nonrealization.
teaches that each man's life has a Elements of unity and subsidiarity are
purpose and that the function of one's life significant aspects of national public good.
is to attain that purpose.
he explains that the purpose of life is Second level (comes from the local/national
earthly happiness or flourishing that government)
can be achieved via reason and the utilitarian perspective that a particular
acquisition of virtue. project or service is desired by the
human beings have a natural desire and populace as necessary for their common
capacity to know and understand the truth, welfare.
to pursue moral excellence, and to Example: national defense, education,
instantiate their ideals in the world through public health, public ports/airports and
action. highways, social services, postal
each human being should use his abilities
to their fullest potential and should obtain
happiness and enjoyment through the
exercise of their realized capacities.

PLATO
His reputation comes from his idealism of
believing in the existence of universals.
His Theory of Forms proposes that
universals do not physically exist, like
objects,but as heavenly forms.
In the dialogue of Republic, the character
of Socrates describes the Form of the
Good.
In Platonism, the meaning of life is in
attaining the highest form of knowledge,
which is the Idea of the Good, from which
all good and just things derive utility and
value.

What is a public good?

Rolando Gripaldo
a Filipino philosopher, argues that the
concept of the public good carries largely
the politico-ethical sense, which
subsumes the politico-ethical senses.
The government or state pursues it with a
service orientation while private
corporations pursue it with a profit
orientation.
Mixed public goods which are pursued by
private organizations with a service
motivation.
Government corporations are basically
motivated by service through having
profit is not precluded.
CHAPTER 6: WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND distinguishes whether an objectis a living
HUMANITY CROSS organism.
3. Form
[Link] Ethical Dilemmas of Robotics a functioning unity that is essential to each living
One dream that is still yet to be perfectly organism in order for it to be just that, living. The
fulfilled by advancements in technology is word used to describe the “form” of a living
the development of human-like and self- organism is “psyche” or “soul.”
aware robots, often referred to as
Androids. 3 LAWS OF ROBOTICS by: ISAAW ASIMOV
1. a robot may not injure a human being or,
ROBOTS through inaction, allow a human being to
Have following attributes such as mobility, come to harm.
intelligent behavior, sense and manipulation 2. a robot must obey any orders given to it
of environment. by human beings, except where such
orders would conflict with the First Law
THE HISTORY OF ROBOT 3. a robot must protect its own existence as
During 1920... The first use of the word long as such protection does not conflict
"ROBOT" was in the form of a play with the First or Second Law.
entitled R.U.R (Rossum's Universal
Robots)written by Karel Capek. Asimov`s laws presuppose that human life is of
Greek Mythology... Hephaestus and the greater value than that of the androids being
creation of robot. Pygmalion crafted a developed.
statue of Galatea that would come to life.
During 1495... the discovery of Da Vinci's SOUTH KOREA ROBOT ETHICS CHARTER
journals contained detailed plans for the It aims to define how people are to properly
construction of a humanoid robot. the interact with robots, in Stefan Lovgren's words,
robot was designed in the form of an “human control over robots and humans
armored knight and was to possess the becoming addicted to robot interaction”.
ability to sit up, wave its arms, move its
head, and open its mouth. MARK TILDEN
think this is all a bit premature
The Modern State of Robots claimed that we are simply not at a point
where robots can be given morals and
Robin Marantz Henig compare it to “teaching an ant to yodel”.
discusses her experiences with sociable stated that “as many of Asimov's stories
robots. show, the conundrums robots and
robots are infant versions, at best, of the humans would result in more tragedy than
long- hoped- for androids. utility”.
Robots are hunks of metal tethered to
computers, which need their human B. HUMAN, MORALS AND MACHINES
designers to get them going and to
smooth the hiccups along the way. Technological Nature
In terms of the physical and psychological
Rodney Brooks wellbeing of our species, does it matter
expert in robotics and artificial intelligence that we are replacing actual nature with
“it is no longer a question of whether technological nature?
human- level artificial intelligence will be
developed, but rather how and when”. European Robotics Network (Euron)
Robot development introduces a set of A group of leading roboticists started
unique ethical issues which industrial lobbying governments for legislation.
robots do not evoke. The ethical or moral sense for machines
can be built on a utilitarian base by which
Is Materialism Correct? special cases requires modifications of the
1. Contradiction core rules that are based on the
Basic tenets of Aristotle’s view are that an circumstances of their use.
organism has both “matter” and “form.” The simple utilitarian model will certainly
2. Matter have overlays depending on the role that
type of “matter” could be the mechanical and the robots play. They will run the numbers
electronic components which make up modern- and do the right thing.
day robots. But, it is not the “matter” alone which
“Is Google Making Us Stupid?” by: NICHOLAS Confined to the natural world are about
CARRS to become realms of human endeavor
1. Nicholas Carr’s longing for his brain Knowledge-enabled mass destruction
to be one with the Internet, a man made machine. (KMD)
2. Google’s standpoint on how our brains Failing to understand the consequences
should be replaced by artificial intelligence. of our inventions while we are in
therapture of discovery and innovation
Theodore Kaczynskian (Unabomber) By 2030, we are likely to be able to build
American domestic terrorist who killed three machines, in quantity, a million times as
people during a nationwide bombing campaign powerful as the personal computers of
targeting those involved with modern technology today.
and wounded many other
2. Intelligent Robot
David Gelernter Genetic engineering promises to
One of the most brilliant and visionary computer revolutionize agriculture by:
scientists. increasing crop yields
create tens of thousands of novel species
Murphy`s Law of bacteria, plants, viruses, and animals
“Anything that can go wrong, will. to replace reproduction
create cures for many diseases
21st century technologies Robotics, Genetic
increasing our life span and our quality of
Engineering, and Nanotechnology
life
most compelling accustomed way of living
as of today. Biological sciences are imminent and
self-replicate, •Uncontrolled self, •near will challenge all our notions of what
immortality life is.
dangerous amplifying factor
sequence of small, individually sensible 3. Nanotechnology
advances leads to an accumulation of Nanotechnology has clear military and
great power and, concomitantly, great terrorist uses, and you need not be
danger. suicidal to release a massively
destructive
20TH CENTURY Nanotechnological devices can be
The weapons of mass destruction (WMD)– built to be selectively destructive,
nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC)–were affecting, for example, only a certain
powerful, and the weapons an enormous geographical area or a group of people
threat. who are genetically distinct.
21ST CENTURY Freeman Dyson
Technologies–genetics, nanotechnology, and "The reason that it was dropped was just
robotics (GNR)–are so powerful that they can that nobody had the courage or the
spawn whole new classes of accidents and foresight to say no.”
abuses.
The bombing of Hiroshima on August 6,
1945
The Vision of Near Immortality
Nagasaki August 9, 1945
NANOTECHNOLOGY AND NANOMEDICINE
dreams drive us forward; genetic
J. Robert Oppenheimer
engineering may soon provide treatments
November 1945, Oppenheimer stood
address more ills
firmly behind the scientific attitude.
may soon provide treatments
“It is not possible to be a scientist unless
you believe that the knowledge of the
20th Century Technology vs. 21st Century
world, and the power which this gives, is a
Technology
thing which is of intrinsic value to
1. Replicating and Evolving Processes
humanity, and that you are using it to help
Manipulative advances and the deep in the spread of knowledge and are willing
understandings of genetics to take the consequences.”
open up the opportunity to completely
redesign the world, for
better or worse.
John Leslie
He has studied this question and concluded that
the risk of human extinction is at least 30 percent.

Ray Kurzweil
He believes we have a better than even chance
of making it through, with the caveat that he has
always been accused of being an optimist.

Arthur C. Clarke
“Though it might be possible, at vast expense, to
construct local defense systems that would only
let through a few percent of ballistic missiles, the
much-touted idea of a national umbrella was
nonsense.”

Luis Alvarez
Remarked that the advocates of such schemes
were very bright guys with no common sense.
the greatest experimental physicist
similar difficulties apply to the
construction of shields against robotics
and genetic engineering
These technologies are too powerful to be
shielded against in the time frame of interest.
These possibilities are either undesirable
or unachievable or both.

Aristotle
All men by nature desire to know.

Nietzsche
Faith in science, which after all exists undeniably,
cannot owe its origin to a calculus of utility.

Greeks
The exercise of viral powers along lines of
excellence in a life affording them scope.
CHAPTER 7 : INFORMATION AGE Speed of access also limited the ability of the
internet to be a channel for all forms of media,
Gutenberg Revolution restricting its use to text based and transactional
 Movable type of printing in 1445 forms.
 Prior to Gutenberg, all texts were printed
using woodblocks or fixed text stamps, all of 1. This changed with two developments. First, the
which were time- consuming and complicated spread of broadband internet access made it
methods. possible to easily both upload and download all
 The printing press allowed for the production forms of media: video, images and audio as well
of books to be done much more quickly and as just text and transactions
cheaply than before.
 Movable type of printing in 1445 2. Second, tools emerged which made it simple
 Prior to Gutenberg, all texts were printed for people to publish or spread information.
using woodblocks or fixed text stamps, all of
which were time- consuming and complicated 3. There has been a third trend which is gathering
methods. significance, based around attaching relevance
 The printing press allowed for the production and content to all of the otherwise random pieces
of books to be done much more quickly and of information now being published.
cheaply than before
 .He is a craftsman and inventor who
originated a method of printing from movable
type.

Johannes Gutenberg Movable Printing Press

 The printing press also played a role in the
formation of a group of scientists who were
able to quickly communicate their findings
through widely circulated academic journals,
assisting

Printed Materials as Agents of Change

Gutenberg’s movable type printing press

1. Spread of greater knowledge throughout a
wider population
2. Massive changes including power and
standards
• European Renaissance
• Protestant revolution
• Age of Enlightenment
• Development of Modern Science and Universal
Education.
Post-Gutenberg Period

Present
• Traditional publishing outlets have less public
beliefs
• People prefer to believe from their social
environment
• Predictions about revolutionary shifts did not
occur

Empowerment vs Enslavement
Independent vs. Dependence
Fulfills needs vs Creates needs
Competence vs. Incompetence
Engaging vs. Disengaging
Public vs Private Illusion vs Disillusion
CHAPTER 8 : Biodiversity and Healthy Society Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
is any organism whose genetic material has
Biodiversity - the full abundance or variety been altered using genetic engineering
of life , occurs at all levels of ecological techniques. The exact definition of a genetically
organization modified organism and what constitutes genetic
engineering varies, with the most common being
Genetic Diversity the diversity of genetic an organism altered in a way that "does not
characteristics (expressed or recessive) within a occur naturally by mating and/or natural
species. recombination"

Species Diversity the number and relative Intended Uses of GMOs

abundance of species found in a given biological  Biomedical -Used as specific models for
organization many different human diseases, including
multiple infectious diseases.
Ecosystem Diversity the variety of different  Farm/Food Animals Engineering of animals
habitats, communities and ecological processes used for food.
 Agriculture Genetically modified crops offer
Biodiversity and Healthy Society improved yields, enhanced nutritional value,
 Biodiversity supports food security, dietary longer shelf life, and resistance to drought,
health, livelihood sustainability frost, or insect pests.
 Biodiversity provides important resources for
medical research Some Genetically Modified Organisms
 Biodiversity provides important resources for Developed in the Philippines
traditional and modern medicine  Longer-lasting Papayas
 Biodiversity plays a role in the regulation and  Protein enriched copra meal (PECM) as feed
control of infectious diseases protein for tilapia, milkfish and shrimp
 Biodiversity has social, cultural and spiritual aquaculture.
importance within communities  Tomato Leaf Curve Virus (ToLCV)- resistant
Variety
Threats to Biodiversity  Bt Corn

 Habitat loss -When a natural habitat, such Potential Benefits of GM Crops

as a forest or wetland, is altered so 1. Better nutritional qualities
dramatically that it no longer supports the 2. Engineering pest or disease resistance in
species it originally sustained. Plant and important crops
animal populations are destroyed or 3. Edible vaccines
displaced, leading to a loss of biodiversity. 4. Antibodies engineered and produced in plants
5. Crops which can extract and detoxify pollutants
 Overharvesting - harvesting a renewable from the
resource to the point of diminishing returns. environment such as heavy metals
Ecologists use the term to describe 6. Crops which produce less toxic residues such
populations that are harvested at a rate that as corn with low phytate
is unsustainable, given their natural rates of 7. Production of alternative polymers
mortality and capacities for reproduction.
Risk Related to the Use of Genetically
 Invasive Species - can be any kind of living Modified Organisms
organism an amphibian, plant, insect, fish,  Genetic Contamination/Interbreeding
fungus, bacteria, or even an organism's  Competition with Natural Species
seeds or eggs that is not native to an  Increased Selection Pressure on Target and
ecosystem and causes harm. They can harm Non-target Organisms
the environment, the economy, or even
human health. Horizontal Transfer of Recombinant Genes to
other Microorganisms - HGT or horizontal gene
 Climate Change - A long-term change in the transfer is the acquisition of foreign genes by
average weather patterns that have come to organisms in a variety of environmental situations.
define Earth's local, regional and global
climates. These changes have a broad range
of observed effects that are synonymous with
the term.
CHAPTER 9 : NANOTECHNOLOGY  Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Nanomedicine researchers are looking at
Nanotechnology - Nano is a prefix used in the ways that nanotechnology can improve
metric scale to represent one billionth. A vaccines, including vaccine delivery without
nanometer (nm) is one billionth of a meter. Nano the use of needles.
comes from the Greek word for dwarf, so in
combination with technology, it becomes dwarf Environmental Aspects of Nanotechnology
technology. Technology applies science and Many applications of nanotechnology benefits the
materials for human uses, and nanotechnology environment, for example, treating drinking water,
applies science and materials at the nanoscale. eliminating toxic chemicals, increasing water and
energy efficiency, and harnessing cleaner energy
Applications of Nanotech in all fields of technologies.
Science
Nanotechnology in the Philippines
 Electronics - Single electron transistor (SET), In 2011, the government announced a 10-year
spin valves and magnetic tunnel junctions strategic plan/road map for the development of
(MT)s are based on nanotechnology. Flat the R&D strategy of nanotechnology covering at
panel television or computer monitors are least six industrial sectors – the semiconductor,
also a products of nanotechnology. information technology, energy, agriculture,
 Energy - Some metal hydride nanoparticles medicine, and environmental protection.
like nickel hydrides or high surface area, Nanotechnology has been identified as one of the
ultra-lightweight materials like aerogels are priority areas of research identified by the DOST-
found to be better options than the Philippine Council for Advanced Science and
conventional materials in improved batteries. Technology Research and Development (DOST-
 Environment - Efficient production of PCASTRD).
nanomaterials following the low temperature
synthesis route would help to reduce Risks
industrial pollution.  Genetics/Medicine/Healthcare
 Automobiles Nanosensors will help in Artifacts based on nanotechnology incorporate
assessing emissions from the vehicle and genetic material or have genetic modification or
help in controlling pollutants. repair as an objective. If the artifact incorporates
 Agriculture and Food Application in some kind of computing and sensing element,
combating plant diseases: say for the controlled delivery of a drug, additional
⬥ Controlled delivery of functional molecules risks arise for the patient if these elements should
⬥ As a diagnostic tool for disease detection malfunction.
 Industries Semiconductors and magnetic  Materials/Composites
nanostructures have found maximum use in The general problem with composite materials is
industries pertaining to semiconductor that they are more difficult to recycle and
fabrication, electronics and nanostructure- consume more energy during recycling than pure
based electro-optical devices. materials. Wide-scale introduction of composite
 Textiles These clothes do not require ironing materials can increase environmental problems.
or frequent cleaning. Use of silver (Ag)
nanoparticles in washing machines remove Nanotechnology and Education
the germs from clothes while washing. Masks
made of fabrics coated with nanoparticles for Nanotech and Education
protection against microbes are already on  Education and training in nanotechnology
the market. require special laboratory facilities that can
 Cosmetics be quite expensive. The cost of creating and
⬥ Nanoliposomes are used as vesicular delivery maintaining nanotechnology facilities is a
systems. Liposomes are concentric bilayer major challenge for educational institutions.
vesicles.  To address these demands of the global
⬥ Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are nm-sized marketplace, a skilled workforce is required
particles with a solid lipid matrix. SLNs are tested that can move from industry to industry
in perfume formulations. without retraining. The new workforce will
 Domestic Appliances consist of researchers, technicians, and
⬥ Nanoporous aerogel insulator is excellent educators.
for insulating walls.
⬥ Flame-retardant furniture coatings are on
the market which are synthesized carbon
nanofibers.
Economic and Political Implications of
Potential Technology
These issues include the economic value of a
new materials and new industries created through
nanotechnology, as well as economic dislocations
caused by shiǗs in investment and the decline of
industries and companies tied to displaced
technologies. Other implications might include
increased lifespans made possible through nano-
based medicines or diagnostic techniques,
leading to greater numbers of active senior
citizens seeking employment and active
participation in the political process.

Nanotechnology and Employment

Nanotechnology products that are already on the
market allow us to identify three common
characteristics: the products have multiple
functions that previously required more than one
product (multifunctional), the products remain
useful longer, and the products use fewer raw
materials. Some products combine two or three of
these characteristics. Taken together, this means
that manufacturing these products will lead to
decreased demand for workers.

Social, Ethical, Legal, & Cultural Implications

The list of social, ethical, legal and cultural
implications includes such issues as privacy,
avoiding a ‘nano-divide’, unintended
consequences, university/industry relationships
and potential conflicts of interest, research ethics,
and so
CHAPTER 10 : GENE THERAPY CHAPTER 11: CLIMATE CHANGE

GENE THERAPY – SEEKS TO ALTER GENES Causes of Climate Change

TO CORRECT GENETIC DEFECTS AND THUS  Greenhouse Gas Emissions
PREVENT OR CURE GENETIC DISEASES. Evidence that CO2 emissions are the cause of
global warming is very robust. Scientists have
GENETIC ENGINEERING - AIMS TO MODIFY known since the early 1800s that greenhouse
THE GENES TO ENHANCE THE CAPABILITIES gases, or GHGs, are compound gases that trap
OF THE ORGANISM BEYOND heat or longwave radiation in the atmosphere.
Their presence in the atmosphere makes the
Approaches to Gene Therapy Earth’s surface warmer.

1. Gene Modification SOLAR INFLUENCES

Methods to modify defective genes : The sun powers life on Earth. It is the primary
 Replacement treatment - replacing natural source of Earth’s heat, so relatively small
gene with a non natural gene changes in solar output can affect our climate.
 Modifier gene theraphy - restoring natural
function to a defective gene The Impacts of Climate Change on
 Adjustment of the expression of a Vulnerability and Equity
specific gene Climate change could affect our society through
impacts on a number of different social, cultural,
2. Gene Transfer Method and natural resources.
 Physical gene transfer
 Chemical gene transfer Geographic Location
 Biological gene transfer  Population in coastal areas are more
sensitive to storms, drought, air pollution, and
3. Gene Transfer to Specific Cell Line heat waves.
2 General Categories  Population in mountainous areas will likely
 Somatic gene therapy - placement of face water shortages and increased wildfires
human gene into a living person`s somatic in the future.
cells  Arctic residents will likely experience
 Sex cell gene therapy problems caused by thawing permafrost.

4. The adoptation of the most appropriate Ability to Cope

genetic engineering ( gene injection ) People who live in poverty may have a difficult
 Gene targeting time coping with changes. These people have
 Elimination of the specific genes through limited financial resources to cope with heat,
nuclease engineering relocate or evacuate, or respond to increases in
the cost of food.
Stem Cell - cell unique ability to develop into
specialised cell types in the body. Indigenous People
Climate change will make it harder for tribes to
Funtion of stem cell - repair system for the body access safe and nutritious food, including
2 main stem cells : embryonic and adult stem traditional foods important to many tribes’ cultural
cells practices.

2 main ways stem celss can be used : Urban People

 Trasplant For example, heat waves may be amplified in
 Drug or biologic cities because cities absorb more heat during the
day than suburban and rural areas. Cities are
more densely populated than suburban or rural
areas.

The Impacts of Climate Change on Economic

Activities and Services
Communities that developed around the
production of different agricultural crops, such as
corn, wheat or cotton, depend on the climate to
support their way of
life.