LEARNING MODULE IN GE 7 – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

MAIN CAMPUS, BUNAWAN AGUSAN DEL SUR

LESSON 3
Genetically modified organisms:
Science, health and politics

READY
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Upon accomplishing this module, students will be able to:
A. Identify issues in Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
B. Discuss different implications and impact of GMOs
C. Assess the gene therapy potential benefits and detriments to global health

TARGET SKILLS
Comprehension, memorization, integration of knowledge to everyday life
LEARNERS
First Year Students

TIME FRAME
This module will be accomplished approximately in 3-4 hours within 1 week to complete all the
activities recommended. This is a distance learning program, thus the time frame is flexible and
largely self-directed.

REFERENCE
Quinto et al. (2019) Science, Technology and Society: Outcome-based module. C&E Publishing, Inc.
Quezon City
McNAmara et al. (2018) Science, Technology and Society. C&E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City
Serafica et al. (2018) Science, Technology and Society. Rex Bookstore, Inc. Sampaloc, Manila

START
ACTIVITY 1: Super-organism
We’re going to have a fun activity before we start our lesson. If you are given the chance to create a super-
organism may it be an animal, plant, or microorganism, what will it be? Widen your imagination and draw it
on the box. Think of the features that you imagine it possesses and its potential impacts on society. Colored
outputs will be given more credits. Enjoy!

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GENERAL EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT © 2020
LEARNING MODULE IN GE 7 – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
MAIN CAMPUS, BUNAWAN AGUSAN DEL SUR

DISCOVER

Wow! What an awesome super-organism you’ve created!

Our lesson is actually not that far from what you did in the previous activity because we will be
talking about organism with enhanced abilities through genetic alterations, these are called as
Genetically Modified Organisms. I’m sure you have heard about them before. So before we start
our lesson, let’s check your background knowledge on the topic through this activity.

ACTIVITY 2: Yay or nay

Identify is the following statements is true or false. Write YAY if the statement is correct and NAY
if otherwise.

_________________ 1.) GM crops has adverse side effects on a human body when consumed in
large amounts.
_________________ 2.) Transgenic organisms derive its novel traits from a different organism.

_________________ 3.) Commercializing GM products on the public market is prohibited since

2010.
_________________ 4.) Crops grown out of selective breeding is not considered as GMO.

_________________ 5.) Bioremediation uses modified plants/microorganisms that can assist in

treating polluted sites.
_________________ 6.) GMOs are made through genetic engineering where genetic traits from
one organism is inserted to another organism to exhibit novel and desirable
traits.
_________________ 7.) GMOs are proved to cause imbalance in the ecology of the natural
environment.
_________________ 8.) One of the first GM crops produced is Bt corn which stands for Bacillus
thermophiles.
_________________ 9.) The Philippines was marked to be the first country to cultivate GMOs.

_________________ 10.) Some of the benefits of GMOs are increased farming yield, improved
characteristics and emergence of secondary pests

LEARN
It seems that you have good background knowledge on GMOs.
It’s now time to delve into the lesson. This learning module highlights the basic concepts of
GMOs. The moral and ethical issues concerning GMOs and their impacts on society will also be
discussed. Furthermore, it sheds light on the various forms and applications of gene therapy. As
you read through the fact sheets provided you will realize how crucial to understand the facts
and issues regarding GMOs and Gene therapy. I encourage you to jot down main points on the
space provided. Your notes will be given credits. Enjoy reading!

ACTIVITY 3: EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

My Notes. Use a separate sheet(s) for your notes. Your notes will be given due credits.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GENERAL EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT © 2020
LEARNING MODULE IN GE 7 – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
MAIN CAMPUS, BUNAWAN AGUSAN DEL SUR

EXAMINE
ACTIVITY 4: GMO’s in food
As a take-home enrichment task, search the internet for edible products that make use
of GMOs as ingredient(s). Choose a particular GMO and research on it. Paste a photo of your
chosen GMO and answer the question.

[Paste the Photo of GMO here]

Question:

How does the use of GMO ingredient in the product reduce the drawbacks of the same
product that use non-GMO ingredient?

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GENERAL EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT © 2020
LEARNING MODULE IN GE 7 – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
MAIN CAMPUS, BUNAWAN AGUSAN DEL SUR

ACTIVITY 5: bioethical dilemma: gene therapy

Read the article ‘Bubble kid’ success puts gene therapy back on track (next page). Then,
individually, answer the questions that follow.

Questions:

1.) What are the relevant facts of this case?

2.) What are some ethical questions or concerns raised in this case?

3.) Who are the stakeholders in this situation? Who are affected by the decision made?

4.) What values influence the decision of each group of stakeholders?

5.) What are some possible actions and their consequences?

6.) What do you consider to be the best action and why?

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GENERAL EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT © 2020
LEARNING MODULE IN GE 7 – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
MAIN CAMPUS, BUNAWAN AGUSAN DEL SUR

EVALUATE
ACTIVITY 6: identification
Identify what is referred to in each item. Write your answers on the space provided.

_______________ 1.) The first GM crop approved to be cultivated in the Philippines

_______________ 2.) Before the advent of GMO, where is our primary source of insulin

_______________ 3.) Give two (2) benefits of GMOs

_______________ 4.)

_______________ 5.) An intergovernmental body that develops the Codex Alimentarius, know us

the International Food Code. They are also responsible for the

development of standards, codes of practices, guidelines, and

recommendations on food safety

_______________ 6.) She is considered to be the forerunner of GMO in the Philippines

_______________ 7.) organism, either plant, animal, or microorganism, in which the genetic

material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by

mating or natural recombination

_______________ 8.) A soil bacterium that produces proteins which is toxic to corn borers. The

gene form this organism has be engineered and inserted to corn to become

resistant to corn borers

_______________ 9.) A term referring to the use of either naturally occurring or deliberately

introduced microorganisms or other forms of life to consume and break

down environmental pollutants, in order to clean up a polluted site

_______________ 10.) A genetically modified plant fortified with Beta-carotene through

biosynthesis genes

_______________ 11.) Give 2 potential risks of GMOs

_______________ 12.)

_______________ 13.) An enzyme used for food flavor enhancer, is produced in higher quantity

by bacterium Bacillus which was genetically modified with the gene of a

thermophilic anaerobe

_______________ 14.) He coined the term genetic engineering

_______________ 15.) A shrub species genetically modified with phytochelatin TAPCSI1 which is

used for bioremediation

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GENERAL EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT © 2020
LEARNING MODULE IN GE 7 – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
AGUSAN DEL SUR STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
MAIN CAMPUS, BUNAWAN AGUSAN DEL SUR

ACTIVITY 7: ESSAY
Answer the following questions briefly.

1.) In your own words, explain what is GMO and its significance in today’s society.

2.) In your own words, discuss what gene therapy is.

3.) In your perspective, is modifying the genetic components of an organism as in GMO and
Gene therapy ethical or not? Support your claim.

--End of Lesson 3--

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GENERAL EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT © 2020