CHAPTER II - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN EVERYDAY LIFE
GE - ETHICS 1st Semester | A.Y 2025 - 2026
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN EVERYDAY
LIFE ● Hydrosphere
○ aquatic parts such as oceans, rivers,
RECYCLING lakes; necessary for life
➔ collecting and processing waste materials ● Lithosphere
into new products ○ terrestrial part (land masses,
➔ Benefits: continents, islands)
● reduces landfill waste ○ supports life
● conserves natural resources ○ soil provides minerals and organic
● prevents pollution by reducing the need for material
new raw materials ○ land shelters animals and plants
● saves energy
ECOSYSTEMS AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY ● Ecosystem - interacting system of biotic
➔ human societies exist in specific (plants, animals, microorganisms) and
environmental contexts (the natural world) abiotic components (wind, ocean currents,
➔ key concepts include food quality, simple temperature, rainfall)
machines (lever, wheel and axle, pulley, ● Biological organization levels: biosphere,
inclined plane, wedge, screw) ecosystem, community, population,
➔ Objectives: organism, body system, organ, tissue, cell,
1. Discuss relationships between the physical molecules, atoms.
environment and human societies, ● Ecosystem services (benefits to humans):
2. Explain the relevance of science and ● Provisioning - food, fuel, fiber,
technology in daily life through various genetic resources, nutrients, fresh
objects (food, machines, communication), water
and ● Cultural - spiritual values, knowledge
3. Describe basic uses and functions of science systems, education, recreation,
and technology aesthetics
● Supporting - primary production,
ESSENTIALS OF PLANET EARTH habitat provision, nutrient cycling,
soil formation, oxygen production,
Biosphere - parts of Earth where life is found, water cycling
composing of: ● Regulating - invasion resistance,
● Atmosphere pollination, climate regulation,
○ air surrounding the planet, oxygen disease regulation, natural hazard
and CO2 are essential for respiration protection, water purification, pest
○ shapes weather patterns regulation, erosion control
○ contains life up to about 2000
meters altitude
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TECHNOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
2.1 ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
➔ example: Velcro invented by Georges de
Mestrel in 1941 inspired by natural
hook-and-loop plant structures. ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
➔ other services: ➔ 40% of the world economy and 80% of the
◆ waterfall energy powering turbines poor's needs derive from biological
for electricity resources
◆ urban forests and green spaces ➔ rich biodiversity fosters medical discoveries,
absorb carbon dioxide economic development, and adaptive
◆ herbal liniments derived from plants responses to environmental changes like
for medicine climate change
◆ coral reefs and mangroves protect
coastal communities from storm WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY?
surges ➔ includes the variety of species (plants,
animals, microorganisms), genetic diversity
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY within those species, and ecosystems like
➔ Kawasan Falls, Badian, Cebu deserts, rainforests, and coral reefs
➔ a declining biodiversity threatens ecosystem
CARBON SEQUESTRATION health and survival
➔ urban forests and green spaces absorb
atmospheric carbon dioxide, providing free IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
cleaning services ➔ boosts ecosystem productivity; every
➔ use of satellite and mapping technologies species plays a role
enable rapid data collection for ➔ more plant species mean greater crop
environmental monitoring variety
➔ example: Tree canopy cover map of ➔ supports ecosystem sustainability and
Barangay Talamban (University of San resilience to disasters
Carlos PHIL-LIDAR Office 2016)
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PROVIDED BY
MEDICINE AND DRUGS BIODIVERSITY
➔ examples of medicinal substances derived ➔ protection and maintenance of water
from plants: resources and soils
◆ methyl salicylate (wintergreen oil) ➔ nutrient storage, recycling, and pollution
◆ camphor-menthol breakdown
◆ counterirritants and efficascent oils ➔ contribution to climate stability and
ecosystem recovery
PROTECTION FROM FLOODS AND SURGES
➔ mangroves provide natural protection by BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL BENEFITS FROM
reducing the impact of floods and storm BIODIVERSITY
surges ➔ resources like food, medicinal drugs, wood,
➔ importance of mangroves in safeguarding ornamental plants, and genetic reservoirs
lives and properties in coastal areas for breeding
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➔ social benefits include research, education,
recreation, tourism, and cultural values
2.2.1 THE FUTURE OF FOOD
COVID-19, BIODIVERSITY, AND ILLEGAL
WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING
➔ wildlife markets, especially wet markets by Josh Tetrock, TEDxEdmonton
selling live animals, create hotspots for
zoonotic disease spillover, exemplified by I. SPEAKER BACKGROUND
covid-19 ➔ Josh Tetrick is an American social
➔ illegal wildlife trafficking exacerbates entrepreneur known for challenging
biodiversity loss and pandemic risks by traditional food systems through technology
spreading pathogens ➔ he co-founded Hampton Creek (later
➔ lockdowns affected wildlife trade renamed Eat Just, Inc.), a company using
enforcement, sometimes increasing plant-based and cell-based science to
poaching replace animal-derived food ingredients
➔ calls exist for banning risky wildlife trade ➔ his experiences teaching in South Africa,
practices and improving global law Kenya, and Nigeria exposed him to food
enforcement insecurity, inefficient systems, and unequal
➔ protecting biodiversity is essential for resource access—formative influences on his
pandemic prevention mission
➔ he studied at Cornell University
BIODIVERSITY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE (undergraduate) and University of
EMERGENCE Michigan Law School, developing a
➔ diverse biological communities dilute foundation in ethics, development, and
pathogen transmission, reducing infectious policy
disease spread ("dilution effect")
➔ intact biodiversity regulates host II. CENTRAL PREMISE OF THE TALK
populations and ecosystems, minimizing ➔ the global food system is fundamentally
zoonotic spillover broken
➔ habitat destruction, land-use change, and ➔ he speaks from the perspective of a
wildlife exploitation increase human-wildlife problem-solver: someone who believes that
interactions, elevating disease emergence food must be reinvented, not just improved
risks slightly
➔ species with "fast life histories" (rapid ➔ frames the future of food as a combination
reproduction) can become dominant hosts, of science, moral responsibility, and
increasing disease transmission economic opportunity
➔ loss of biodiversity often raises pathogen
transmission, as fewer species means more III. PROBLEMS IN TODAY’S FOOD SYSTEM
encounters with competent hosts
➔ conservation and ecosystem protection can ENVIRONMENTAL STRAIN
mitigate emerging infectious diseases ➔ industrial animal farming contributes
➔ interdisciplinary, one health approaches are significantly to:
critical to monitor, prevent, and respond to ◆ greenhouse gas emissions
disease risks linked to biodiversity ◆ deforestation
◆ extreme water use
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◆ soil degradation ➔ technology enables what the traditional
➔ the scale at which food is produced today is food system cannot
incompatible with long-term ecological ➔ advances in:
health ◆ Computational Biology
◆ Biochemistry
MASSIVE INEFFICIENCY ◆ Cellular Agriculture
➔ huge quantities of crops (corn, soy, wheat) ◆ Data Science
are grown primarily to feed animals, not ◆ Automation and Bioreactors
people ➔ offer new ways to produce food directly
➔ the imbalance: more food is fed to livestock from plants or cells
than to the 1.3 billion hungry humans
➔ animal agriculture requires: MARKET INCENTIVES CAN DRIVE MASSIVE
◆ far more land CHANGE
◆ far more water ➔ capitalism can accelerate sustainable food
◆ longer production cycles transformation if:
◆ higher energy inputs compared to ◆ alternative foods taste good,
plant-based alternatives ◆ are priced competitively, and
◆ can be produced at scale
ETHICAL CONCERNS
➔ animals in industrial farms face poor living V. HAMPTON CREEK / EAT JUST APPROACH
conditions
➔ the ethical implications extend to: PLANT-BASED REINVENTION
◆ animal welfare ➔ the company identifies plant proteins with
◆ worker conditions in slaughterhouses specific properties (e.g., emulsification,
◆ impact on low-income communities gelling) to replace egg functions
◆ global inequity in food distribution ➔ Example: Just Mayo and Just Egg —
products where plant proteins mimic eggs
FRAGILITY OF GLOBAL FOOD SUPPLY
➔ food supply chains rely on limited resources CULTIVATED (CELL-BASED) MEAT
and centralized systems that are vulnerable ➔ rather than raising entire animals, Eat Just
to: grows real animal cells in bioreactors
◆ climate change ➔ benefits:
◆ pandemics ◆ eliminates slaughter
◆ resource shortages ◆ reduces land and water use
◆ economic collapse ◆ produces meat without antibiotics
◆ potentially decreases foodborne
IV. WHY INNOVATION IS NECESSARY illnesses
➔ the company’s cultivated chicken has been
INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOT approved for limited sale in countries like
ENOUGH Singapore
➔ “doing what we do now, but more
efficiently” will not solve the problem
➔ the future population and environmental
limits demand reinvention, not optimization
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TOOL-BUILDING ◆ trust science-based products
➔ old systems cannot solve future challenges ◆ shift long-standing dietary habits
➔ new tools must be built, such as:
◆ automated protein discovery ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS
platforms ➔ high initial investment and production costs
◆ ingredient databases make early-stage alternatives more
◆ large-scale bioreactors expensive
◆ new supply chains built around cell
culture POLITICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL RESISTANCE
➔ traditional agriculture and food lobbies may
VI. SOCIAL AND MORAL DIMENSIONS oppose rapid change
➔ regulations evolve slowly compared to
FEEDING A GROWING POPULATION technological innovation
➔ with the world population rising, the old food
model cannot scale sustainably VIII. LONG-TERM VISION
➔ alternative proteins help prevent future
hunger crises NOT JUST BETTER FOOD—A BETTER SYSTEM
➔ Tetrick imagines a world where:
REDUCING INEQUITY ◆ fewer animals need to be raised
➔ reinvented food systems could distribute ◆ land is returned to forests or
resources more fairly: regenerative agriculture
◆ less dependency on land-rich ◆ food production is cleaner, safer, and
countries more equitable
◆ lower cost of protein production
◆ new opportunities for farmers and DECADES-LONG MISSION
workers in sustainable industries ➔ views this work as
◆ global responsibility multi-generational—something that may
➔ Tetrick’s experiences in developing countries take “many lifetimes” to achieve fully
shaped his belief that wealthy nations must
innovate solutions that benefit everyone PURPOSE-DRIVEN INNOVATION
➔ success is measured not just by product sales
VII. BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES but by increasing the probability that the
food system shifts toward sustainability
SCALING
➔ cultivated meat and plant alternatives still
2.2.2 THE SCIENCE IN OUR FOOD
struggle with:
◆ large-scale manufacturing
◆ infrastructure costs by Dr. Jim Carrington, TEDxGatewayArch
◆ supply chain adaptation
◆ regulatory approval I. THE GLOBAL FOOD CHALLENGE
CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE MAIN IDEAS
➔ people must be convinced to: ➔ the food system of the future cannot rely on
◆ try new food technologies traditional farming alone
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➔ the world population continues to grow, and ◆ degraded soils
global food demand will increase ➔ innovation is the only way to produce more
significantly food with limited land and water
➔ modern environmental pressures (climate
change, water scarcity, soil degradation) V. TRADITIONAL FARMING VS. MODERN
require scientific innovation AGRICULTURAL NEEDS
II. ROLE OF SCIENCE IN FEEDING THE MAIN IDEAS
WORLD ➔ many people romanticize traditional
small-scale farming
MAIN IDEAS ➔ while valuable, traditional farming alone
➔ science is not the enemy of natural or cannot feed billions
healthy food ➔ a combination of tradition + modern science
➔ scientific research makes food production is required
safer, more efficient, and more sustainable
➔ without advancements in biology, genetics, VI. ADDRESSING MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT
and biotechnology, global food shortages FOOD SCIENCE
would become more severe
MAIN IDEAS
III. UNDERSTANDING PLANT BIOLOGY ➔ public skepticism around “science in food” is
often based on fear or misinformation
MAIN IDEAS ➔ transparency and education help build trust
➔ plants have complex defense systems and ➔ scientific advancements undergo rigorous
adaptive abilities safety testing before being used in food
➔ research focuses on understanding systems
◆ how plants grow
◆ how they respond to stress (heat, VII. PLANT RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION
drought, pests)
◆ how they naturally defend MAIN IDEAS
themselves ➔ researchers explore ways to allow plants to
➔ discoveries in plant biology can help grow:
scientists design crops that grow with fewer ◆ with less water
resources ◆ with higher yield
◆ with natural resistance to pests
IV. CLIMATE CHANGE AND RESOURCE ➔ reduced pesticide use = better
LIMITATIONS environmental outcomes
➔ stronger crop varieties support farmers in
MAIN IDEAS harsh climates
➔ climate change disrupts weather patterns
and increases crop vulnerability
➔ future agriculture must adapt to:
◆ extreme heat
◆ longer droughts
◆ stronger pests
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VIII. ROLE OF RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS necessary precautions to prevent accidents
or harm
MAIN IDEAS
➔ the Danforth Plant Science Center focuses COMMON HOUSEHOLD SUBSTANCES AND
on improving human life through plant THEIR USES
research
➔ projects aim to help both local and global KITCHEN SUBSTANCES
communities ➔ Lemon Juice - used for cleaning glass,
➔ collaboration between scientists, farmers, mirrors, brightening whites, disinfecting
governments, and educators is essential cutting boards, and toilet bowls
➔ Coconut Oil - used to polish wood furniture,
IX. SUSTAINABILITY AS THE CENTRAL GOAL replace lubricants like wd-40, and remove
shower scum
MAIN IDEAS ➔ Apple Cider Vinegar - repels fleas,
➔ food security must also mean environmental deodorizes laundry, and cleans microwaves
security ➔ White Vinegar - polishes silver, cleans
➔ the aim is not just to produce more food, but windows, neutralizes odors, and unclogs
to produce food without damaging drains
ecosystems ➔ Baking Soda - used to put out fires, scrub
➔ sustainable agriculture balances: toilets, clean ovens or grills
◆ crop productivity
◆ conservation of resources PERSONAL CARE SUBSTANCES
◆ long-term planetary health ➔ Lemon Juice - used for removing sunspots,
hair highlighting, wrinkle reduction, and
X. CONCLUSION pore shrinking
➔ the future of food depends on intelligent, ➔ Coconut Oil - hair serum, lip gloss,
science-driven decisions deodorant, and wrinkle prevention
➔ scientific progress is essential for solving ➔ Castile Soap - as body wash and toothpaste
hunger, supporting farmers, and protecting ➔ Castor Oil - for eyelashes and dry skin
earth’s resources
➔ ignoring science means risking the stability DIETARY AND MEDICINAL USES
of global food systems ➔ Lemon Juice - detox, improves digestion,
soothes a sore throat, and strengthens
immunity
2.3 HOUSEHOLD CHEMISTRY
➔ Apple Cider Vinegar - weight loss, controls
blood pressure, treats yeast infections, and
HOUSEHOLD CHEMISTRY OVERVIEW prevents colds
➔ chemistry is vital in understanding ➔ Baking Soda - relieves heartburn and is
substances used in a household environment used as a leavening agent in cooking
➔ it helps explain and predict chemical
changes and reactions that form new CHEMICAL REACTIONS IN HOUSEHOLD
substances CHEMISTRY
➔ knowledge of household chemistry ➔ mixing chemicals can result in entirely new
promotes awareness of chemical safety and substances with different properties
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➔ every chemical reaction in the household IMPORTANCE OF CHEMISTRY IN DAILY LIFE
absorbs or evolves heat: ➔ chemistry knowledge can improve
◆ Endothermic - absorbs heat decision-making in daily activities like
◆ Exothermic - releases heat cooking and cleaning
➔ examples of changes: ➔ cooking is an application of chemistry
◆ browning of sliced apples (chemical) involving reactions of food chemicals
◆ souring of milk (chemical) ➔ understanding chemical changes helps in
◆ blackening of sugar in a pan safe and effective use of household products
(chemical)
◆ melting of ice (physical)
2.4 SIMPLE MACHINES
◆ water vaporization (physical)
SOAP AND DETERGENTS THE SIX SIMPLE MACHINES
➔ soaps and detergents are common cleaning
agents made of molecules with: The foundational simple machines include:
◆ Hydrophobic Tails (repel water, ➔ Lever
attract oils/dirt) ➔ Pulley
◆ Hydrophilic Heads (attracted to ➔ Wheel and Axle
water) ➔ Wedge
➔ surfactants break down and lift oils/dirt ➔ Screw
from fabrics or surfaces by surrounding the ➔ Inclined Plane
dirt, preventing redeposition
➔ detergents are less sensitive to water These machines make work easier by either
hardness than soap multiplying force or changing its direction.
➔ surfactants reduce surface tension of water,
aiding in removing grease and stains during ENERGY AND WORK
washing ➔ Energy is defined as the ability to do work
➔ Work is calculated as the product of force
HOUSEHOLD CHEMICAL USAGE AND SAFETY and distance:
➔ household chemicals are used for: ◆ Work = Force × Distance
◆ cleaning (non-food chemicals) ➔ Force is any push or pull applied to an object
◆ pest control
◆ general hygiene INCLINED PLANE
➔ proper usage should follow product labels ➔ an inclined plane is a flat surface raised
and consider chemical properties such as pH higher on one end
➔ pH affects the suitability for cleaning ➔ it lessens the effort required to move objects
different materials like glass, metals, wood, to a higher elevation by increasing the
and upholstery distance over which the force is applied
➔ safety includes understanding the hazards, ➔ example: Egyptians built long gentle inclines
proper storage, and disposal of chemicals using dirt ramps and logs to push heavy
limestone blocks for the pyramids
➔ Mechanical Advantage (MA) is the ratio of
the length of the slope to the height:
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➔ it can multiply force and also change
slope length
MA = its direction
height ➔ Mechanical Advantage is the ratio of
the lengths from the fulcrum to
➔ while the MA increases, the force must be effort and resistance
applied over a longer distance ➔ examples: crowbars, scissors, pliers,
seesaws
SCREW
➔ a screw is essentially an inclined plane 2. SECOND CLASS LEVER
wrapped around a cylinder ➔ load is between the fulcrum and
➔ examples include jar lids and drill bits effort
➔ the Mechanical Advantage is given by ➔ effort moves further than resistance
dividing the circumference of the cylinder by ➔ multiplies effort but does not change
the pitch of the screw, where pitch is the direction
distance between the threads (or the inverse ➔ examples: nutcrackers,
of the number of turns per inch) wheelbarrows, doors, bottle openers
WEDGE 3. THIRD CLASS LEVER
➔ composed of two inclined planes joined back ➔ effort is between the fulcrum and the
to back load
➔ used primarily for cutting or splitting ➔ does not multiply force but increases
➔ the Mechanical Advantage of a wedge is the the distance the effort moves
ratio of the slope length to the thickness of ➔ resistance moves farther than effort
the thick end: ➔ examples: tweezers, arm hammers,
shovels
slope length (S)
➔ biological example: bicep muscle
MA =
thickness (T) attaching near the elbow acts as a
third-class lever
➔ example: if the slope is 10 inches and the
PULLEYS
thickness is 4 inches, then MA is 2.5
➔ a pulley is a wheel with a groove around its
➔ as with the inclined plane, it trades greater
edge, requiring a rope, chain, or belt to
distance for less force
operate
➔ types:
LEVERS
◆ Fixed Pulley - changes the direction
➔ levers are rigid bars that rotate around a
of the applied force but provides no
fulcrum to multiply force or change its
mechanical advantage
direction
◆ Movable Pulley - mechanical
➔ there are three classes of levers:
advantage equals the number of
rope segments supporting the load
1. FIRST CLASS LEVER
◆ Combined Pulley (Block and Tackle)
➔ Fulcrum is between the effort (EF)
- reduces the effort needed to less
and the resistance/load (RF)
than half the load's weight, but
➔ effort moves further than resistance
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requires pulling the rope over longer ➔ social media is a key source for public health
distances information, but also a vector for
misinformation
WHEEL AND AXLE ➔ critical to find and trust authentic sources
➔ an axle rigidly connected to a larger wheel; ➔ a pew research center report states that
turning one turns the other about half of Americans have encountered
➔ Mechanical Advantage is the ratio of the made-up COVID-19 news on social media
wheel’s radius to the axle’s radius ➔ users should verify facts by checking the
➔ example: if the wheel radius is 5 times the source and the correctness of information
axle radius, MA = 5
➔ can increase force or speed depending on INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
where the effort is applied ➔ concepts like social distancing and home
➔ gears, essentially wheel and axle systems, quarantine became popular through social
reverse direction with each gear, and media awareness campaigns
smaller gears rotate faster ➔ government bodies, celebrities, and
organizations use social platforms to inform
GEARS and encourage health safety actions
➔ a series of interlocked gears reverse the ➔ social media also influences social
direction of rotation at each stage behaviors, such as panic buying, which has
➔ smaller gears rotate faster than larger been both posted about and publicly
gears shamed
RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINES MARKETING PLATFORM
➔ complex machines made of many simple ➔ businesses used social media for socially
machines responsible marketing during lockdowns
➔ used to demonstrate principles of physics ➔ streaming services provided entertainment
and mechanics in a humorous and elaborate ➔ markets and restaurants with delivery
way adapted to provide products safely
➔ example 1: a safety device that uses a chain ➔ online courses offered with free or
reaction of levers and pulleys to ease a discounted access
person's fall on ice ➔ the pandemic represents a key moment for
➔ example 2: a machine to squeeze orange brands to shape their public image
juice using a series of simple machine steps
BRINGING POSITIVITY AND CONNECTION
➔ despite issues with misinformation, social
2.5 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
media enables connection, support, and
global unity
ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA DURING A PANDEMIC ➔ sharing personal experiences combats
(COVID-19 CONTEXT) isolation and fosters empathy
➔ social media has been instrumental for
SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND fundraising and organizing mutual aid
MISINFORMATION ➔ users post stories, photos, and videos to
support and reassure each other, reinforcing
a sense of community
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