Handout for GEC 007
(Science, Technology, and Society)
Lesson 1: Information Society
Information Age – a period starting in the last
quarter of the 20th Century when information became
effortlessly accessible through publications and
through the management of information by
computers and networks.
Word – a combination of sounds that represents
something. It is this significance which makes words
distinct from just any kind of vocal utterance.
Mathematics – the language of nature. It is
considered to be as such since Mathematical
formulae will remain constant wherever you are.
Historical Developments Leading to Information
Age:
1. Printing Press – invented around 1440 by
Johann Gutenberg. This is considered to be
the beginnings of mass communication. The
development of a fast and easy way of
disseminating information in print
permanently reformed the structure of
society. The printing press has made books
accessible to everyone, not only to the upper
class. This led to the increase in literacy of
people.
2. Computer – an electronic device that stores
and processes data (information). It runs on a
program that contains the exact, step-by-step
directions to solve a program.
Origins of the Computer:
Enigma Machine – an enciphering
machine used by German armed forces to
securely send messages. The improved
version of Enigma Machine is capable of
having 10114 possible permutations.
Bombe – an electromechanical Machine
used by British intelligence units to
decrypt the Enigma Machine.
Alan Turing – an English mathematician
hired in 1936 by the British Government
Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila
FINALS
Code and Cipher School to break the
Enigma code.
Turing Machine – a machine designed
by Alan Turing that can solve any
problem from simple instructions
encoded in paper tape. This laid the
foundation of computer science and
modern computers.
Types of Computer:
A. Personal Computer (PC)/ Desktops
- a single-user instrument. Also
known as microcomputers since these
are complete computers but built on a
smaller scale.
B. Laptops – a PC that is designed for
portability. It integrates the essentials
of a PC in a battery-powered package.
C. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
– tightly integrated computers that
usually have no keyboards and are
reliant on the use of touch screen for
user input.
D. Mainframes – also called
“supercomputers.” These are large
computers with extremely high
computing power used by
governments and corporations.
E. Wearable Computers – involves
computers that can be worn by the
user. These include smart watches,
smart glasses, etc.
3. The World Wide Web – invented by Sir Tim
Berners-Lee as a way of addressing data
processing and information sharing needs
among scientists for the European
Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
4. Internet – a worldwide system of
interconnected networks that facilitate data
transmission among innumerable computers.
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Handout for GEC 007
(Science, Technology, and Society)
Internet has helped to spread information at a
faster rate.
Lesson 2: Biodiversity
Biodiversity – the vast variety of life forms in the
entire Earth, and how all living things are related to
each other.
• The United Nations declared the year 2010 as
the International Year of Biodiversity.
• One of the basic laws of the living is that of
self-preservation - an organism will
sacrifice all it has to ensure its survival.
Types of Biodiversity
1. Genetic Biodiversity – the variations among
organisms of the same species. These
variations are passed down from parent to
offspring.
2. Species Diversity – the variety of species
within a region, as influenced by the
environmental conditions in the region. The
normal measure of biodiversity for these are
the basic units of biological characteristics.
The species are grouped together in families
based on characteristics. (Taxonomy – a
hierarchical system of classifying and
naming organisms. This is devised by Carl
Linnaeus).
3. Ecological Diversity – the network of
different species in an ecosystem and the
interaction of these species.
Aspects of Biodiversity
• Health and Medicine – since 2600 BC,
people have been using plants to treat
illnesses leading to the practice of herbal
medicine. Herbal medicines were also used in
healing rituals and in the treatment of injuries
resulting from ways or accidents.
Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila
FINALS
• Food – a basic need for human survival.
During the Stone Age, humans relied only on
hunting and foraging for food. As demand for
food increased due to the growth of human
population, people discovered that some
crops can be grown and cultivated and
animals were domesticated, this led to the
birth of agriculture. Of the 57 global food
crops, 39 need birds and insects as
pollinators. (Agrobiodiversity – a result of
careful selection and innovative
developments for farmers, fishers, and
herders throughout the years.)
• Energy – humans rely on energy provided by
ecosystems to do the necessary activities in
order to survive.
• Water Storage and Flood Control – the
earliest recorded civilizations were situated
near rivers or lakes which made their
livelihoods dependent of water. Biodiversity
in forests, or watersheds, play an important
role in securing water resources.
Threats to Biodiversity
1. Habitat Loss and Destruction – a major factor
is the inhabitation of humans in the natural
habitat of species, and the use of land for
economic gains.
2. Alterations in Ecosystem Composition –
sudden changes, either within species groups
or within the environment, could bring to
change entire ecosystems.
3. Over-exploitation – over-hunting,
overfishing, or over-collecting of species
quickly lead to its decline.
4. Pollution and Contamination – biological
systems respond slowly to changes in their
surrounding environment. Pollution and
contamination cause irreversible damage to
species.
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Handout for GEC 007
(Science, Technology, and Society)
5. Global Climate Change – the increase in the
Earth’s average temperature could cause loss
in biodiversity loss and habitat damage.
Lesson 3: Genetically Modified Organisms
GMO – a plant, animal, microorganism, or other
organism whose genetic makeup has been modified
using recombinant DNA methods (also called gene
splicing, gene modification, or transgenic
technology.
Process of creating a GMO:
1. Identification – identify the desired trait
from another organism to be transferred to
another.
2. Isolation – the gene containing the desired
trait will be isolated (separated)
3. Replication – the isolated gene shall be
reproduced (multiplied).
4. Insertion – the isolated and replicated trait is
inserted to the genes of the receiving
organism, but only in sections of the gene that
carry the particular characteristic.
5. Transfer – the modified gene shall be
transferred to the receiving organism. After
successful insertion, the modified organism
should be able to grow and replicate.
GMOs in Food and Agricultural Industries
1. Pest, viral, and herbicide resistance – plants
can be modified to resist certain pests,
viruses, and herbicides.
2. Fortification – plants could be modified to be
fortified with certain minerals. (Ex. Golden
rice – rich in beta-carotene (Vitamin A)
3. Cosmetic preservation – GMO plants could
resist natural discoloration, making them
more presentable for a longer period of time.
Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila
FINALS
4. Increase growth rate – GMOs have higher
yield compared to normal species.
GMOs in Non-Food Crops and Microorganisms
1. Flower production – GMOs have modified
colors and longer vase lives
2. Paper production – modified traits of trees
lead to higher yield of wood pulp for paper
production
3. Pharmaceutical, enzyme, and drug
productions – modified plants and other
organisms are used to produce
pharmaceutical products, making it more
affordable. Enzymes are used for food
processing, and drugs are used to treat
illnesses. (ex. insulin)
4. Bioremediation – GMOs can help in
bioremediation (biological rehabilitation) of
polluted areas
Benefits of GMOs
1. Higher efficiency in farming
2. Increase in harvest
3. Control in fertility
4. Increase in food processing
5. Improvement of desirable traits
6. Nutritional and pharmaceutical enhancement
7. Reduction of the use of fertilizers and
pesticides
Potential Risks of GMOs
1. Risk in gene flow – modified genes could be
transferred from a GMO crop to a wild
relative or organism in the soil.
2. Emergence of new forms or resistance and
secondary pests and weed problems – pest-
resistance of GMOs could trigger new forms
of pest resistance
3. Recombination of virus and bacteria – the
modified gene could be transferred and
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Handout for GEC 007 FINALS
(Science, Technology, and Society)
integrated to viral and bacterial genes, Stem Cell Gene Therapy – a type of gene therapy
making new pathogens. that uses stem cells (mother cells) that are self-
renewing. This characteristic could be tapped to
Cloning – the asexual reproduction of an organism
develop other types of cells. There are two sources of
using parent cell through genetic engineering. In
stem cells: (i) embryonic – derived from four- or
1996, the first-ever cloned animal, Dolly the sheep,
five-day-old human embryos; and (ii) somatic – cells
was born.
that exist throughout the body after the embryonic
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety – an international development and are found inside different types of
agreement to ensure the safe handling, transport, and tissues.
use of living modified organisms resulting from
modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects
on biological diversity, taking also into account the Lesson 4: Nanotechnology
risks to human health.
“Nano” - refers to a unit meaning one billionth, or
Gene Therapy – an experimental technique that uses 10 raised to negative nine (10-9).
genes to treat or prevent diseases. This will use the
Nanoscience – deals with materials that are very
insertion of a gene into the body using vectors to treat
small using specialized microscopes and other
diseases, instead of using drugs or surgery.
nanodevices.
Basic Process of Gene Therapy
Nanotechnology – the manipulation of matter on an
1. Replacement of a mutated gene – doctors atomic or subatomic scale.
will determine the gene that causes the
Nanomanufacturing – scaled-up, reliable, and cost-
problem and will attempt to replace this with
effective manufacturing of nanoscale materials,
a health gene
structures, devices, and systems.
2. Inactivation – the mutated gene will be
Approaches in Nanomanufacturing
“turned off” to stop the improper functioning.
1. Bottom-up – manufactures products by
3. Introduction of new gene – a new gene will
building them up from atomic- and
be introduced into the body to help fight the
molecular-scale components.
disease.
2. Top-down – trims down large pieces of
• The gene cannot be inserted into a human
materials down to nanoscale.
gene or cell, the insertion shall be through the
use of a carrier or a vector (like a virus).
Types of Gene Therapy: Lesson 5: Climate Change
1. Somatic – involves the manipulation of Climate – the long-term weather patterns prevailing
genes in cells that will be helpful to the over a given area of the planet. This came from the
patient, but not inherited to the next Greek word klinein meaning “to slope.” It then
generation. evolved to klima, connoting a zone or region of the
Earth as characterized by its atmospheric conditions.
2. Germ-line – the genetic modification of
germ cells or the origin cells that will pass the
changes to the next generation.

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Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila © 2020 | NOT FOR SALE
Handout for GEC 007
(Science, Technology, and Society)
Earth’s Movement around the Sun
• Since the Earth is constantly revolving
around the Sun, and the fact that it has a tilt
of 23.5 degrees, it will have a natural effect
on the Climate.
Elements of Sun and Earth Interaction:
1. Aphelion – the point in the orbit of the Earth
that is farthest from the Sun
2. Perihelion - the point in the orbit of the Earth
that is closest to the Sun
3. Earth’s Axial Tilt – inclination angle of the
Earth (23.5 degrees) in relation to a
perpendicular line to its orbital plane.
4. Precession – the change in the orientation of
the rotational axis of the Earth
5. Equinox – the time the Sun at noon is
directly over the Equator. It happens twice a
year, causing an almost equal length of day
and night.
6. Solstice – happens when the Sun at noon sits
above the Tropic of Cancer or Tropic of
Capricorn, the summer solstice has the
longest period of daylight, while the winter
solstice has the shortest period.
7. Precession of the Equinoxes – the motion of
the equinoxes relative to the precession of the
Earth’s axis of rotation. This happens over
thousands of years.
Global Warming - the resulting phenomena caused
by the trapping of solar radiation by certain gases in
the atmosphere. Carbon Dioxide is often cited as the
most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
Greenhouse Gases – these are certain gases that
cause the trapping of solar radiation in the Earth’s
surface by blocking its natural dissipation to Space.
Examples are Carbon Dioxide and Methane.
Prepared by: Mr. Justin Paul D. Gallano
Faculty Member – College of Arts, T.I.P. Manila
FINALS
Effects of Climate Change:
1. Melting of Ice Caps – leads to the rise in sea
levels, the dissolution of salt in the ocean, and
the disruption of natural ocean currents.
2. Coral Bleaching
3. More Severe Weather Patterns
4. More Intense Heatwaves – leads to drought,
wildfires, and desertification.
5. Food Security Issues
Combating Climate Change:
1989 Montreal Protocol - designed to protect
the ozone layer by phasing out the production of
numerous substances that are responsible for ozone
depletion. Banned the use of chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) which were used as refrigerants but are
known to be ozone-depleting agents. Signed by 46
countries and ratified by 197 countries.
1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (Rio Summit) – provided the framework
convention for combating Climate Change. This led
to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
1997 Kyoto Protocol – promoted the reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions based on the consensus
that global warming is caused by human activities.
Signed by 192 countries, Canada pulled out on 2012.
2015 Paris Accord – limits the increase of global
average temperature to 1.5o C above the pre-
Industrial Revolution levels. Signed by 195
countries, with the United States notably backing out
of the deal.
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