STS Module 2021-22

INTRODUCTION
For Senior High School (SHS) students, it is noticeable that the subject is inclined to the STEM
(Science and Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) strand. However, as one embarks the
subject, graduates of the HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences) strand will see that the
subject is not for STEM alone. It envisions to bring science awareness and appreciation to all
walks of life. Regardless of what strand you were in in your SHS days or a graduate from the pre-
K-12 era, Science, Technology andp Society (STS: GEED 10083) is a subject that will feed your
curiosity and thirst of knowledge in Science.
The subject is divided into three units:
Unit I (General Concepts and Historical Events in STS) deal with the country’s Science education,
and the intellectual revolutions that helped in the prospering of the country, and the world through
Science. This Unit is inclined to the STEM strand.
Unit II (STS and the Human Condition) on the other hand is more of the HUMSS strand. It exhibits
the relation of STS with humanity. From how it flourished, (science) and technology’s role in
achieving the so called “good” life, and how Science and Humanity reconciles with each other.
Unit III (Specific Issues in STS) is the part of STS wherein certain topics and issues regarding
Science and Technology will be tackled. This will serve as an eye opener that Science is not just
theory alone but has its relevance in our daily lives.
- Reyes, VPR
i
Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR BRANCHES AND CAMPUSES
CABIAO, NUEVA ECIJA CAMPUS
Course Title : Science, Technology and Society
Course Code : GEED 10083
Course Credit : 3 units (3 hours of Lecture)
Course Description : The course deals with interactions between science and technology and social, cultural, political, and economic contexts that shape and
are shaped by them. (CMO No. 20, series of 2013)
This interdisciplinary course engages students to confront the realities brought about by science and technology in society. Such realities
pervade the personal, the public, and the global aspects of our living and are integral to human development. Scientific knowledge and technological development happen
in the context of society with all its socio-political, cultural, economic, and philosophical underpinnings at play. This course seeks to instill reflective knowledge in the
students that they are able to live the good life and display ethical decision making in the face of scientific and technological advancement.
This course includes mandatory topics on climate change and environmental awareness.
Institutional Learning Outcomes Programs Outcomes Course Objectives

1. Creative and Critical Thinking Develop a critical and analytical mind in dealing At the end of the course, the students would be able to
with different biological theories and their
application. KNOWLEDGE
1. Articulate the impacts of science and technology on society,
2. Effective Communication Articulate scientific knowledge and innovation in the specifically Philippine society.
field of practice by exhibiting technical writing and 2. Explain how science and technology affect society and the
oral communication skills. environment and its role in nation-building
3. Analyze the human condition in order to deeply reflect and
3. Strong Service Orientation Build a strong culture of passion for continuous express philosophical ramifications that are meaningful to the
learning and servant hood by incorporating such student as a part of society
4. Passion to Life-Long Learning values in every course of the program.
5. Sense of Nationalism and Global Advocate a strong sense of nationalism and global 4. Define and demonstrate the impact of social media on the
Responsiveness responsiveness in various areas and activities in students’ life and Philippine society in general
biology.
VALUES
6. Community Engagement Create and regularly conduct extension programs and 1. Imbibe the importance of science and technology in the
services benefiting identified marginalized sectors preservation of the environment and the development of the
and industry partners. Filipino nation.
7. Adeptness in the Responsible Use of Demonstrate knowledge and laboratory skills using 2. Critique human flourishing vis-à-vis the progress of science and
Technology state of the art equipment and breakthrough technology such that the student may be able to define for
researches that benefits humanity and the himself/herself the meaning of the good life
environment. 3. Foster the value of a healthy lifestyle toward the holistic and
sustainable development of society and the environment
8. High Level of Leadership and Practice strong ethical considerations, leadership,
Organizational Skills and efficiency in every area of research and SKILLS
9. Sense of Personal and Professional Ethics academics. 1. Creatively present the importance and contributions of science
and technology to society.
2. Examine shared concerns that make up the good life in order to
come up with innovative and creative solutions to contemporary
issues guided by ethical standards.
3. Illustrate how the social media and information age impact their
lives and their understanding of climate change
COURSE PLAN
Week Topic Learning Outcomes Methodology Resources Assessment

1 General Orientation - students to be (Zoom Meeting) STS Module of PUPCC N/A
acquainted with the -Orientation
subject’s rules and Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and
regulations, as well as its Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
requirements technology, and society.
Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Phil.
Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,

technology, and society. First ed. Rex
Book Store. Manila. Philippines.
Unit I: GENERAL CONCEPTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS IN STS
2 Science Education in the Philippines - discuss the country’s STS Module of PUPCC
concept of science
a. The Concept of Science Education education; Invisible Predators
Science Education in Basic and Tertiary - locate science schools (https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ798570.pdf)
Education in Cabiao and nearby
towns, and; Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and
b. Science Schools in the Philippines* Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
- make a stand regarding technology, and society.
the science education Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Phil.
program set forth by the
government. Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,
3-4 Intellectual Revolutions That Defined - discuss how the works (Zoom Meeting) STS Module of PUPCC
Society of Copernicus, Darwin - Discussion
a. Science and Freud sparked the Galileo is Convicted of Heresy
- Scientific Revolution scientific revolution; - Inquiry Based (https://bit.ly/363jcoh)
Learning (Game
b. Some Intellectuals and Their - find out the relevance of Show Format) Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and
Revolutionary Ideas the works of these Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
- N. Copernicus prominent figures in technology, and society.
- C. Darwin present time, and; Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Phil
- S. Freud
- list down the Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,
c. Cradles of Early Science contributions of the so- technology, and society. First ed. Rex
- Mesoamerica called Cradles of Early Book Store. Manila. Philippines.
- Africa Science.
- Asia
- India
- China
- Middle East Countries
5-7 Science, Technology and Nation Building - examine the role of STS Module of PUPCC FIRST Quiz
science and technology
(S and T) in Philippine
nation-building; Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and
a. Brief Historical Background of Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
Science and Technology in the - evaluate government technology, and society.
Philippines policies pertaining to S Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Phil
- Pre-Spanish Occupation and T in terms of their
- Spanish Occupation contribution to nation- Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,
- American Occupation building, and; technology, and society. First ed. Rex
- Post-World War II Era Book Store. Manila. Philippines.
- Marcos Era and Martial Law - appraise the impact S
- Aquino Administration and T policies of the
- Ramos Administration government from the
- Estrada Administration Marcos Era up to the
- Arroyo Administration present.
- B. Aquino Administration
- Duterte Administration
b. Government Policies on Science

and Technology
Unit II: STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
8 Human Flourishing - discuss the role/s of (Zoom Meeting) STS Module of PUPCC
science and technology - Discussion
a. Science, towards human What is the Kaliwa Dam project?
Technology and Human Flourishing flourishing; (https://bit.ly/3cJoLLb)
b. Science as - integrate human Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and

Methods and Results flourishing and progress Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
- Scientific Method of science and technology, and society.
- Verification Theory technology in one’s Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Phil
- Falsification Theory meaning of good life, and;
c. Science as a Social - construct a Venn technology, and society. First ed. Rex
Endeavor diagram of verification Book Store. Manila. Philippines.
and falsification theories.
d. Science and Results
e. How Much is Too Much?

9 Technology as a Way of Revealing - explain human condition STS Module of PUPCC
before the dawn of
a. The Human science and technology; Excerpt from Heidegger’s essay “The
Condition - relate the changes that Question Concerning Technology”.
happened in human (https://bit.ly/2TpcILf)
- Pre-Common Era condition after science Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and
- Common Era and technology, and; Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
technology, and society.
b. The Essence - name ways on how Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Phil
of Technology technology spearheaded
in revealing the truth Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,
c. Backtracking about human beings. technology, and society. First ed. Rex
the Human Condition Book Store. Manila. Philippines
10 The Good Life - discuss some schools of (Zoom Meeting) STS Module of PUPCC
thought that pertains to - Discussion
a. Aristotle the attainment of good Excerpt from Science, God and Ockham’s
and How We All Aspire for a Good Life life; Razor (https://bit.ly/2Zkd4Xn)
- recognize available
b. Happiness possibilities on how Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and
as the Goal of a Good Life humans can achieve the Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
- Materialism good life, and; technology, and society.
- Hedonism - examine what is meant Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Phil
- Epicureanism by good life.
- Stoicism Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,
- Theism technology, and society. First ed. Rex
- Humanism Book Store. Manila. Philippines.
11 When Technology and Humanity Cross - name the three most (Zoom Meeting) STS Module of PUPCC
common technological - Discussion
a. TV, Mobile advancement present in Bautista, J.G. (2019).
Phones, Computers and Humanity a household; 2019 media trend. Kantar Media.
b. Robotics and - weigh the pros and cons Levy, D. (2007).

Humanity of such technological Love, and sex with robots. Harper
advancements, and; Perennial.
c. Roles Played by a and b
d. Ethical Dilemma(s) in Relation to - list the effects of the Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and
a and b pros and cons being Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
stated. technology, and society.
Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Phil

Book Store. Manila. Philippines
Unit III: SPECIFIC ISSUES IN STS
12 The Information Age - discuss what STS Module of PUPCC
information age is;
Types of Computer
- appreciate its influence (https://bit.ly/3glU0xW)
on our lives, and;
Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and
- trace the development Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
of information age. technology, and society.
Roberts, Eric, S. (2011). The art

and science of computer. Addison-
Wesley Publishing Company.

13 Genetically Modified Organism - discuss what GMO is; STS Module of PUPCC SECOND
Quiz
- weigh the pros and cons Aluminum Foil Deflector
in using GMO, and; Beanie.
(https://zapatopi.net/afdb/)
- list at least five
applications of GMO. Baragona, S. (2019). Philippines
approves GMO rice to fight
malnutrition.
CNN Philippines. (2020). NBI arrests
teacher for online post offering
₱50M for Duterte slay.
Kosoraju, R. (2014). Information age: We

are living in the best time now.

Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,

14 Modern Therapeutic Approach - differentiate gene (Zoom Meeting) STS Module of PUPCC
therapy and stem cell - Discussion
therapy; Beltran, G. (2019). Stem cell therapy –
hype or hope? Philippine Star.
- appreciate its influence
on our lives, and; Mishra, M.M. (2018). A review on gene
therapy: history, vectors, technologies
- list at least three and application. World Journal of
diseases that are Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
currently curable with Science.
these therapies.
Stem Cell Therapy: A Novel Treatment
for Various Diseases and Injuries.
(2016). International Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Research.

15 Climate Change - discuss what climate STS Module of PUPCC
change is;
- appreciate its influence For the Philippines, a warming world
on our lives, and; means stronger typhoons,
- construct a Venn fewer fish (https://bit.ly/2ZHbTS8).
diagram about climate
change and global IPCC. (2007). Frequently asked question
warming. 2.1how do human activities contribute
to climate change and how do they
compare with natural influences?


16 Nanotechnology explain the relationship STS Module of PUPCC
between nanoscience
and nanotechnology; Celorico, J.R. (2019). Making the country
- relate the Filipino competitive through nanotechnology.
saying: “Walang maliit DOST – STII.
ang hindi
nakakapuwing”, and; Feynman, R. (1959). There’s plenty of
- jot down at least five roomat the bottom.
uses of nanotechnology.
17 Biodiversity - find the relationship (Zoom Meeting) STS Module of PUPCC
between biodiversity and - Discussion
the society; Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and
- appreciate the Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science,
importance of technology, and society.
biodiversity, and; Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Phil
- list ways on how to
protect biodiversity. Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,
18 Final Exam
COURSE GRADING SYSTEM
Class Standing (Quizzes): 70% Final Exam:30%
Enhanced by: Checked by:
VINCENT PAUL ROQUE REYES, LPT, MAEd (Bio) JENNY Q. ESTINGOR, MEM
Science Instructor Academic Head
Approved by:
FERNANDO F. ESTINGOR, MSIT

Director, PUP Cabiao Campus
SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCES:
 Anderson, Philip W. “More is Different—One More Time,” in More is Different: Fifty Years of Condensed Matter Physics, ed. N. Phuan Ong and Ravin N.
Bhatt, Princeton University Press, 2001.
• Balakrishnan, Janaki and B V Sreekantan, eds. Nature’s Longest Threads: New Frontiers in the Mathematics and Physics of Information in Biology, World
Scientific, 2014.
• Caoli, Olivia. “A History of Science and Technology of the Philippines,” in Analysis of Conditions for National Scientific and Technological Self-Reliance:
The Philippine Situation, Quezon City: University of the Philippines, 1986.
• Dayrit, Fabian. “Sustainable Development: An Evolving Paradigm for the 21st Century,” in Stellar Origins, Human Ways:
 Readings in Science, Technology, and Society, ed. Ma. Assunta Cuyegkeng, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2011.
• Ecker, David J. Germ Catcher, Scientific American, 2014.
• Floridi, Luciano. The Fourth Revolution: How the Infosphere is Reshaping Human Reality, Oxford University Press, 2014.
• Feynman, Richard. “The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: What Is and What should be the role of scientific culture in modern society” in The Best Short
Works of Richard Feynman, pp. 97–115, Perseus Books,1999.
• Gripaldo, Rolando. “The Concepts of the Public Good: A View from the Filipino Philosopher” in The Making of a Filipino Philosopher and Other Essays, pp.
82-100, National Bookstore, 2009.
• Heidegger, Martin. The Question Concerning Technology and Other Essays, HarperCollins, 1982.
• Hickel, Jason. “Forget ‘developing’ poor countries, it’s time to ‘de-develop’ rich countries,” The Guardian, Online: http://www.theguardian.com/global-
development-professionals-network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs.
• Lehrer, Jonah. How We Decide, Mariner Books, 2010.
• Maboloc, Christopher Ryan. “Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing” in Ethics and Human Dignity, 15-23, Rex Bookstore, 2010.
• McNamara, Daniel J. in “A Return to the Beginning,” in Stellar Origins, Human Ways: Readings in Science, Technology, and Society, ed. Ma. Assunta
Cuyegkeng, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2011.
• Rodriguez, Socorro M. “Philippine Science and Technology: Economic, Political and Social Events Shaping Their Development,” 1996
• Von Baeyer, Hans Christian, Information: The New Language of Science, Harvard University Press, 2005.
Suggested Readings
• Agro-ecology: What it is and what it has to offer? Is this the future of farming?
• Alan Turing: The Enigma” (Andrew Hodges and Douglas Hofstadter)
• Aristotle, Nichomachean ethics, Book VI and Book X
• Article: “Environmental Impacts of Nanotechnology and Its Products” (Zhang et. Al Proceedings of the 2011 Midwest Section
Conference of the American Society for Engineering Education, 2011)
• Article: “Nanoethics: The ethical and Social Implications of Nanotechnology” (Patrick Lin and Fritz Allhoff, Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
2007)
• Flowcharts/revival-west/the-age-enlightenment
• Government Documents: 1. NEDA. National Development Agenda; Regional Agenda
o http://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/GAA/GAA2015/GAA%202015%20Volume%20I/NEDA/NEDA.pdf http://www.dbm.gov.ph/wp-
content/OPCCB/OPIF_2007/neda3.pdf
• Kuhn, Structure of Scientific Revolution
(http://projektintegracija.pravo.hr/_download/repository/Kuhn_Structure_of_Scientific_Revolutions.pdf)
• Philosophy of Science (Encyclopedia). Scientific Progress, Scientific Revolutions (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/scientific-progress/#SciPro)
(http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Philosophy_of_science.aspx#3) (http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Scientific_Revolutions.aspx#3)
• Physics of the Future: How science will shape human destiny and our daily lives by the year 2100 (Michio Kaku, Doubleday, 2011)
• Article: “The politics of Golden Rice” (Dubock, Adrian GM Crops & Food. Jul-Sep2014, Vol5 Issue 3 p 210-222 13p.)
Website/Videos/Film Clips
• Dayrit, Fabian M. Ppt: Can we build a culture of science through nanotechnology? (2013)
• Film: Akiro Kurosawa’s Dreams “Village of the Watermills”
• http://www.history.com/topics/enlightenment/videos/mankind-the-story-of -all-of-us-scientific-revolution
• http://www.flowofhistory.com.readings
• http://hti.osu.ed/scientific revolution/lesson plans
• http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/sep/23/developing-poor-countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6432307, stm, The ethical dilemmas of robotics
• http://www/theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/Is google making us stupid/306868/, Is Google Making Us Stupid? 2008. Nicholas Carr
• https://explorable.com/scientific-reductionism
• https://explorable.com/what-is-a-paradigm
• Movie: “A I” Isaac Asimov, “I Robot
• Movie Clip (youtube): The Magician’s Twin: CS Lewis and the case against Scientism
• Martin Heidegger, The Question Concerning Technology
• UNEP, That Sugar Film (2015) (documentary) Ppt: towards a green economy: pathways to sustainable development and poverty eradication
• Video: Stephen Colbert’s interview with Neil Tyson https://www.youtube.com/watchv=YXh9RQCvxmg&noredirect=1
• Youtube: World’s Greatest Inventions (3 minutes)
• Youtube: Science Fiction: Stem Cell Research
• TED Talk: Juan Enriquez on “The Next Specieis of Human”
• TEDTalk: Julian Assange on “Why the World Needs Wikileaks”
• TED Talk: Ray Kurzwell on “How Technology Will Transform Us”
• TEDTalk: Susan Lim on “Transplant Cells Not Organs”
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction i
Syllabus ii
Table of Contents xiii
Unit I: GENERAL CONCEPTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS IN STS
Chapter 1: SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES 1
Chapter 2: INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTIONS THAT DEFINED SOCIETY 5
Chapter 3: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING 12
Unit II: STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION
Chapter 4: HUMAN FLOURISHING 19
Chapter 5: TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING 25
Chapter 6: THE GOOD LIFE 31
Chapter 7: WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS 36
Unit III: SPECIFIC ISSUES IN STS
Chapter 8: THE INFORMATION AGE 44
Chapter 9: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM 54
Chapter 10: MODERN THERAPEUTIC APPROACH 67
Chapter 11: CLIMATE CHANGE 78
Chapter 12: NANOTECHNOLOGY 86
Chapter 13: BIODIVERSITY 100
Dedication 112
Bibliography 113
xiii
Chapter 1
SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

- discuss the country’s concept of science education;
- locate science schools in Cabiao and nearby towns, and;
- make a stand regarding the science education program set forth by the
government.
INTRODUCTION:
One way of improving the quality of science and technology in the Philippines is through
establishing and improving how science is being taught in the country. Thus, science schools
were established nationwide ranging from elementary up to the junior high school. Since the
implementation of the K-12 curriculum in 2013, the science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) strand for the senior high school was made. Such endeavors might or will
encourage the young generation to pursue science and technology related careers and at the
same time nurture the scientist “within” them.
The Concept of Science Education
Science education has three facets: teaching, learning, and understanding science. Thus,
it is not only the job of the teacher to promote and uplift science education but also of the learning
institution that houses the most important client of them all – students.
Through the exploration and utilization of pedagogical theories and models, the effectivity
of teaching science is met. The teacher must be creative and not be monotonous in his/her
science pedagogy.
To ensure that learning ensues, the students with the aid of the teacher must be able to
jive with the pedagogy presented to them. This will help them not only to learn scientific concepts
but to appreciate and eventually love science. In the process, their science process skills are also
honed.
Understanding science is intertwined with scientific literacy wherein the students are able
to apply the science concept they’ve learned in everyday living. Seeing the relevance of science
is understanding at work.
Science Education in Basic and Tertiary Education
The basic education (kindergarten to grade 12) provides the foundation for studying
science and on the long run encourages the students to take science and technology related
careers in college. Not only through teaching the facts and concepts of science will aid on this
goal but also in nourishing the students’ affective domain. These include developing of positive
attitude, appreciation and eventually love of science. Thus, students will study science from the
“heart” and will not view it as a mere requirement needed for them to move on the next grade.
Meeting such will ensure that scientifically cultured and literate citizenry will prosper.
The deeper appreciation of science ideas and scientific works, as well as developing its
further understanding is on the hands of tertiary education. It also focuses and gears up the soon
to be doctors, engineers and other professions that are laden with science. For non-science
related courses, they are given general education (GE) course/s for them not to be left out in
science.
STS @ PUP Cabiao Campus by VINCENT PAUL ROQUE REYES, MAEd (Bio) Page 15
Science Schools in the Philippines
Philippine Science High School System
Also known as Pisay (c. 1964), it is the only basic education

institution that is not under the Department of Education (DepED). It is a
service institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in
extending scientific literacy and capabilities through its students. Pisay
was made possible through RA 3661. Fig. 1. Pisay logo.
Students from Pisay are provided with stipend and dormitory/travel allowance to name a
few. They also have other science subject/s and elective/s on each grade level they take aside
from what DepED has set forth. Even if these students have such benefits, they are mandated to
take science and technology related courses (set forth by the Pisay System) when they go to
college. Failure to do so will make the student reimburse (in monetary value) all the privileges
s/he enjoyed during his/her study in Pisay.
As of 2016, there are 16 Pisay Campuses throughout the country. This is in compliance
with RA 9036 mandating that each administrative region must have its own Pisay Campus. This
is to ensure that the utmost quality and excellence of science education will be brought and made
available to the brightest regardless of financial status.
Quezon City Science High School (QCSHS)
Established in 1967, QCSHS became the regional

science high school of the National Capital Region (NCR) in
1999. Aside from the prescribed science subject of DepED,
students are required to take electives in science and
technology. It is also known for its moniker QueSci (read as
“Kisay”).
Fig. 2. QCRSHS logo.
Manila Science High School (MSHS)
MSHS, the first science high school was established in 1963

through Municipal Resolution 426. Aside from science and technology
electives, students at MaSci (read as “Masay”) have humanities
subject as well since MaSci envisions producing scientists with a
“soul”.
Both QueSci and MaSci accepts non-residents of Quezon City

and Metro Manila respectively provided that s/he will pass the entrance
Fig. 3. MSHS logo.
test.
Special Sci. Elementary Schools (SSES) Project
The implementation of SSES started in 2007 with 57 pilot schools. This was backed up
by DepED Orders No. 73 (2008) and 51 (2010).
SSES has the following goals:

- provide learning environment to science-inclined children through a special
curriculum that recognizes the learner’s multiple intelligences (MIs);
- promote the development of lifelong learning skills, and;
- foster the learner’s holistic development.
Aside from longer minutes of studying science
(70 minutes from Grades 1 to 3; 80 minutes for
Grades 4 to 6, in comparison to the 60 minutes
per subject allocation), pupils are required to
submit an Investigatory Project (IP) before
going to junior high school.
Special Science Class (SSC) / Science,

Technology, and Engineering (STE) Class /
Laboratory High School (LHS)
From SSC to STE (name was changed

due to implementation of K-12) or LHS, these
learning institutions aims to develop the
aspect of science and technology among
secondary students. This is in preparation
once the student goes to SHS and takes up
STEM strand. Fig. 4. MI according to Gardner
Science and technology subjects are added to the usual subjects. Students are obliged to
have an IP before they go to SHS. Below are list of some schools offering STE/LHS in Nueva
Ecija.
Fig. 5. Some schools in Nueva Ecija offering Science Curriculum.
Qualifying exams are given by the Division Office for the SSES. The same goes with STE
(excluding LHS or STE in public universities and private schools). A student who did not start the
program cannot transfer on the said class the following year unless s/he came from an institution
offering the same/identical curriculum. However, if the pupil/student finds it exhausting, s/he can
transfer to a regular section on the next school year.
Brain teaser:
Identification. Abbreviated answers are accepted. Write your answer on the blanks provided
before each number.
_____________ 1. Aside from science subjects, what other field (in general) do
MaSci students take as their elective?
_____________ 2. NCR’s regional science high school.
_____________ 3. Implemented on the primary level, it hones science – inclined children by

catering the student’s multiple intelligences.
_____________ 4. In what government institution is Pisay under?
_____________ 5. Type of subject that non – science major students in college are given to
increase their scientific literacy.
Enumeration. List five (5) schools that have a science or laboratory HS curriculum in Nueva
Ecija.
_____________ 6.
_____________ 7.
_____________ 8.
_____________ 9.
_____________ 10.
Something to ponder at:
1. What other government programs/projects are available for science

education not discussed in the module?
2. Are there private schools with similar program? Identify and compare
their offerings with public science schools.
Case Analysis:
Read the article Invisible Predators (https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ798570.pdf).
If you were in the situation (assume that you are a student under a science program), will
you be able to prevent having the stomachache?
INVISIBLE PREDATORS
It was Saturday. I and my mother decided to go shopping. We took some vegetables, such as
tomato, cucumber, eggplant, and peach. Grocer selected the rotten vegetables and threw them
away. I asked him why these vegetables were rotten. After grocery, we went to butcher to buy
chicken, meat, and salami. Butcher wore his gloves and gave our orders. I was curious about the
reason for wearing of gloves by butcher. We got our orders and returned to home. Although we
were tired, my mother and grandmother started to make canned foods and pickle for winter. I had
a question in my mind, what would be the reason for making canned food and pickle? While they
were making them, I went outside and played with my friends. It was autumn. My mother warned
me about cold weather of the autumn. I played until I was hungry. I came to home and ate salami
sandwich. After that, I started to do my homework. 3-4 hours later, I felt a very bad pain in my
stomach. My mother saw me while I was crying because of the stomachache. She asked me what
I ate for dinner. She went to kitchen and realized something was smelling very bad. She looked
around to find source of this bad smell and noticed that she had forgotten the salami on the table
instead of putting it in the refrigerator. I asked my mother why the food was rotten. She talked
about bacteria which are invisible with naked eye. It was interesting. I could not see bacteria but
they caused trouble in my stomach.
Chapter 2
INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTIONS THAT DEFINED SOCIETY
OBJECTIVES:

- discuss how the works of Copernicus, Darwin and Freud sparked the scientific
revolution;
- find out the relevance of the works of these prominent figures in present time,
and;
- list down the contributions of the so-called Cradles of Early Science.
INTRODUCTION:
This module will enlighten the students on how society was transformed by science and
technology.
Science
Science is hard to discuss on a single definition. In order to better understand science, it

will be discussed on four thoughts, namely:
a) as an idea: the
explanations about the
natural and physical
world;
b) as an intellectual
activity: the
systematic observation
and experimentation in
order to study the natural
and physical world;
c) as a body of knowledge:
the learning of the natural
and physical world; type of Fig. 1. The natural world can be explained through biology
science whereas the physical world via the other sciences.
we have in school, and;
d) as a personal and social activity: a means of improving and surviving life which is interwoven
with people’s lives. It is an explanation on how humans understand the world around them by
orienting them that science involves not only the content but also the activities associated with it.
Scientific Revolution
Scientific revolution started in Europe at around 16th to 18th century. Some contributory
factors are that intellectuals in this part of the world sprang like mushrooms out of nowhere. These
include Newton and Galileo to name a few. Also, through the development of the printing press,
scholarly works flourished faster and were made easily available for public consumption leading
to the so called “Golden Age”.
Scientific Revolution was also considered as a “Period of Enlightenment” since society’s

view of nature was transformed due to the developments in the fields of math, astronomy, biology,
chemistry and physics. This gave rise to the development of modern science.
Although promising it may seem, this part of history did not go smoothly since some
intellectuals faced rejection and even condemnation from religious institutions. Note that during
this time, religion played a big part in educating the people and anything that strays from church
teaching however right it seems is considered heretic.
Some Intellectuals and Their Revolutionary Ideas
1. Nicolas Copernicus (1473 – 1543)
Heliocentrism (sun – centered) is not a

new idea during his time. Dating back at around
300 BC, Aristarchus of Samos had this idea but
was rejected since Aristotle proposed
Geocentrism (earth – centered). Also, the church
favored geocentrism, making man, the
masterpiece of God the center of everything.
The Copernican Model’s stand against the

geocentric model includes:
a) the rotation of the earth accounts for

theapparent daily rotation of the stars, and; Fig. 2. Heliocentric Model of Copernicus.
b) the apparent annual cycle of the sun as observed from earth is due to
the fact that earth revolves around it.
His model, though failed to describe the position of the stars other than the sun. However,
the model correctly described planets before earth revolves faster from the sun in comparison to
planets beyond earth’s orbit. It also explained that the nearer the planet to the sun is, the faster
for it to have a complete cycle (year).
The Copernican model was made through “thought processing”, meaning to say that the
experimentation of concept was done by only using the mind. Before being widely accepted,
heliocentrism faced opposition from the Catholic Church.
2. Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882)
The so-called “Father of Evolution” was not the first one to discuss how evolution works,
it was Lamarck. However, Darwin’s work was the one accepted by the scientific community,
backed up by his publication, The Origin of Species.
Fig. 3. Natural selection.
In contrast to Copernicus, his findings relied on evidence – based science. This is
because Darwin became a crew of the HMS Beagle who explored the Galapagos Island. During
his time, the said island is at its “evolution at work”.
His other publication, The Descent of Man reaped controversy among church goers since
it introduced the idea of all organic life in terms of evolutionary thinking. This offered an alternative
explanation other than church teachings on how life came about.
3. Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1933)
He became famous with psychoanalysis, a method wherein the unconscious surfaces to

the conscious state.
Table 1. Stages of development according to Freud.
Freud’s work came to controversy since it focuses on human’s evil side and sexuality as
presented in Table 1. Oedipus and Electra Complex is an example under the phallic stage. This
ran into many contentions since it flaunts that from ages three to six, “sexuality” in humans arise.
Aside from the stages of development, he discussed personality as tripartite: id, ego,
superego.
Fig.4. Personality by Freud.
However contentious it is, the world owes Freud a lot since his influence is evident in art,
literature, philosophy, politics, and psychotherapy. His ideas pave the way in accepting the
inspection of human mind and behavior in a more scientific manner.
Cradles of Early Science
This part of the lesson will be divided into Mesoamerica, Africa (Egypt), and Asia (India,
China, Middle East)
1. Mesoamerica
Three civilizations will be discussed: Maya, Aztec, and Inca. The first two thrived at Mexico
while the latter on Peru. Summarized in Table 2 are the contributions of these civilizations.
Table 2. Meseoamerican Civilizations
2. Africa
The Egyptian civilization will be discussed in particular due to their significant contribution
in math, architecture, medicine, metallurgy, and astronomy.
In mathematics, they
have basic knowledge of
algebra and geometry. They
are good at arithmetic and
used geometry to preserve
and layout ownership of
farmlands near the Nile river.
Their means of building
rectilinear structures,
courtesy of geometry set
forth their foundation in
architecture.
Found between
Swaziland and South Africa Fig. 5. Egyptian math.
is the Lebombo bone,the oldest mathematical artefact ever excavated. It was believed to be used
in multiplication, division, and as a calendar for monitoring menstrual cycle for one.
In terms of architecture, pyramids and sphinx will come to mind. Constructed between
2589 and 2504 B.C., the Egyptian pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, built in that order,
are a testament to ancient planning and engineering.
Aside from serving as a tomb for the pharaoh and those dear to him, the pyramid of Giza
(Khufu) was also an observatory and has traps from within.
Mummification, a form of embalmment, as well as their lay out of the human vascular
system are their contribution in medicine. This came about in their study of human anatomy and
pharmacology that displayed strong similarities to the basic method of studying science. Also,
they are good at alchemy, the forerunner of chemistry.
Craftsmanship derived from the iron technology near East regions enabled African
civilization to excel in the advent of Bronze and Iron Age.
African civilization utilized three types of calendars: solar, lunar, and stellar. Also, they
were the ones who introduced us with BC (before Christ) and AD (the year of our Lord) which is
a significant marker in history.
3. Middle East
3.1. India
Due to their prowess in iron works and other metallurgical crafts, Indian steel is of
significant importance to the Roman empire, especially when used in their artilleries.
In terms of medicine, Ayurveda, a system of traditional medicine dating back to

2500 BC is still in use today. Ancient texts like Susruta Samhita describes medical procedures,
particularly in surgery.
Indian astronomy was able to describe the configuration of the universe, a

spherical supporting earth, and introduced a calendar with 12 months containing 30 days each.
Bhaskara II’s Siddhanta Shiromani, also known as Crown
of Treatise whose first 12 chapters are devoted to astronomy discusses about longitudes and
latitudes, eclipses, and conjunctions of heavenly bodies.
Their greatest contribution in math is the number

system we use at present– Hindu Arabic. They also have
the so-called Mohenjo-Daro ruler used for measurements.
Prominent mathematicians also hailed from India. The
value of pi, algebraic algorithms, and trigonometric
functions, tables, and techniques are attributed to
Aryabatha. Even before Newton, Brahmagupta was able
to discern that there is gravity and as a mathematician
credited zero as a placeholder and a decimal digit.
Fig.6. Siddhanta
Madhava on the other hand introduced the concept Siromani
of mathematical analysis.
3.2. China
“God made the heaven and earth, and the rest was made in China”.
This quote holds true up until now since the Chinese had many inventions
including compass, gun powder, paper making and printing tools, wheelbarrow, iron plough,
propeller, dry cock facility, and the first ever seismograph to name some.
In astronomy, they recorded eclipses, comets, and supernovas, wherein SN 1054

is the most famous. It became the Crab nebula later on. Also, they are keen in observing weather
changes and seasons. They also had a lunar calendar.
In the field of medicine, they pioneered acupuncture and are also known in using
“exotic” plants and animals for medicine. Sadly, religious and philosophical beliefs hindered the
growth of science in China.
Fig. 7. Great Wall of China
3.3 Middle East
The so called
“Golden Age of Islam”
came about from the
seventh to the
thirteenth century.
Having Arabic as their
common language,
access to Greek text,
and proximity to India
are factors attributed to
this success. Fig. 8. Middle East
However, at the start of the 11th century, the Golden Age waned down due to Mongol
conquerors that brought destruction to their libraries, observatories and learning institutions.
Muhammad Ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi contributed to mathematics by pioneering algebra

(al jabr) and the introduction of the decimal point notation.
They greatly contributed to field of science wherein Ibn al-Haytham and Jabir Ibn
Hayyan were referred to as the Father of Optics and Chemistry respectively. Ibn Sina (known as
Avicenna in the western world) on the other hand provided the foundation for modern medicine
through his books the Canon of Medicine and Book of Healing.
Brain Teaser:
For numbers 1 – 3, give the contribution of the intellect mentioned based on the discussion.
______________________________________________________________1. Sigmund Freud
_________________________________________________________ 2. Nicholas Copernicus
______________________________________________________________ 3. Charles Darwin
For numbers 4 and 5, answer the following using: AZTEC, INCA, or MAYA.
_____________ 4. Civilization that originated in Peru. ______________5. Chinampa
Identification.
_____________________ 6. The oldest mathematical artefact.
_____________________ 7. Ancient Indian text discussing medical procedures.
_____________________ 8. The number system that came from India and used at present.
_____________________ 9. The SN 1054 observed by the Chinese later on became _______.
_____________________ 10. One of the two books of Ibn Sina.
1. How did society shaped science and vice versa?

2. How can science influence government policies?
3. How do political and cultural landscapes of the society affect the development of
science culture, science activities, and scientific literacy?
Assessment Task:
Make a timeline highlighting the major science discoveries and contribution that was
discussed in class.
Case Analysis:
Put your self on Galileo’s shoes. Would you have done the same of just keeping silent?
Galileo is Convicted of Heresy (https://bit.ly/363jcoh)
On April 12, 1633, chief inquisitor Father Vincenzo Maculani da Firenzuola, appointed
by Pope Urban VIII, begins the inquisition of physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei.
Galileo was ordered to turn himself in to the Holy Office to begin trial for holding the
belief that the Earth revolves around the Sun, which was deemed heretical by
the Catholic Church. Standard practice demanded that the accused be imprisoned and
secluded during the trial.
This was the second time that Galileo was in the hot seat for refusing to accept Church
orthodoxy that the Earth was the immovable center of the universe: In 1616, he had
been forbidden from holding or defending his beliefs. In the 1633 interrogation, Galileo
denied that he “held” belief in the Copernican view but continued to write about the
issue and evidence as a means of “discussion” rather than belief. The Church had
decided the idea that the Sun moved around the Earth was an absolute fact of scripture
that could not be disputed, despite the fact that scientists had known for centuries that
the Earth was not the center of the universe.
This time, Galileo’s technical argument didn’t win the day. On June 22, 1633, the Church handed
down the following order: “We pronounce, judge, and declare, that you, the said Galileo… have
rendered yourself vehemently suspected by this Holy Office of heresy, that is, of having believed
and held the doctrine (which is false and contrary to the Holy and Divine Scriptures) that the sun
is the center of the world, and that it does not move from east to west, and that the earth does
move, and is not the center of the world.”
Along with the order came the following penalty: “We order that by a public edict the book of
Dialogues of Galileo Galilei be prohibited, and We condemn thee to the prison of this Holy Office
during Our will and pleasure; and as a salutary penance We enjoin on thee that for the space of
three years thou shalt recite once a week the Seven Penitential Psalms.”
Galileo agreed not to teach the heresy anymore and spent the rest of his life under house arrest.
It took more than 300 years for the Church to admit that Galileo was right and to clear his name
of heresy.
Chapter 3
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING
OBJECTIVES:

- examine the role of science and technology (S and T) in Philippine nation-
building;
- evaluate government policies pertaining to S and T in terms of their contribution
to nation-building, and;
- appraise the impact S and T policies of the government from the
Marcos Era up to the present.
INTRODUCTION
This module identifies government programs, projects, and policies geared toward
boasting the science and technology capacity of the country. Also, it looks back from the pre –
Spanish era to the present on how Philippine S and T evolved through time.
Pre-Spanish Occupation
Even before the invaders set foot on our

land, our concept of S and T is deeply rooted on
indigenous knowledge system. This is
interwoven with their culture and environment.
The source of knowledge comes from older
folks and parents.
In the field of medicine, our ancestors

utilized herbal plants to cure the diseases they
encounter.
In terms of agriculture, it was utilized for

food production, and soil preparation.
Preservation and selection of good seeds for
planting ensured bountiful yield. Fig. 1. Banaue Rice Terraces
They utilized the night sky (constellation) as their basis and reference on when to plant,
cultivate, and harvest their crops.
Spanish Occupation
Without a doubt, Christianity is the greatest contribution of the Spaniards to our country.
Not only Catholic doctrines were inculcated, priests and church officials are the primary source of
knowledge. Thus, the Dominicans founded Colegio de San Juan de Letran and University of Sto.
Tomas, whereas Ateneo de Manila was erected by Jesuits.
Although the said schools were founded,

education at that time was exclusive. Only those who
have wealth have access to education. Those
fortunate who can study abroad like our national
hero, Jose Rizal are referred to as “Illustrados”.
They contributed to the advancement on

medicine, arts, music, engineering, and literature. Fig. 2. Galleon trade.
Galleon trade brought about the indigenization of western science for Philippine
application. Though many Filipino lives were sacrificed on each trade, it provided exchange in
terms of ideas, crops, tools, cultural practices, and technologies.
The flourishing of science at this time was hampered by superstitious beliefs, as well as
Catholic doctrines and practices.
American Occupation
Public education system was introduced by the Americans

giving rise to the premier university of our country – University of the
Philippines. UP Manila specialized in health, sanitation, and medicine.
They spearheaded the research in tropical medicine which includes
tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera. They also have the Philippine Fig. 3. UP logo
General Hospital in their premises. UP Los Baňos on the other hand specializes in agriculture
and forestry.
The Americans paved the way in exploring our mineral resources and improvement in the
aspects of communication, health conditions, and engineering works. Further, American scholars
and Protestant missionaries intensified the S and T of that time, especially in far-flung areas.
Post-World War II Era
This is the time that the country is in high spirits

but, due to destabilized growth and development,
Filipinos found it hard to do so. Funding to get back
came from reparation money and from the Overseas
Development Allocation (ODA). The government at that
time believes that S and T can help the country get back
on its track on a faster rate through the improvement in
scientific productivity and technological capability. Fig. 4. Manila in ruins
Marcos Era and Martial Law
Though it is undeniable that there are bitter events of Martial Law, one cannot contest that
Marcos brought about good changes in S and T. Being a visionary that the country will face
problems in the supply of electricity, he established the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission
(that later became the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute). The moth-balled Bataan Nuclear
Power Plant was one of the products of this commission. Aside from energy, the use of nuclear
science was envisioned for agricultural and medicinal use.
In terms of agriculture, the following were

established:
a) Philippine Institute for Agricultural
Research (that later became the Bureau of
Agricultural Research (BAR), under the Department
of Agriculture (DA));
Fig. 5. Institutions put up by Marcos.
b) Institute of Plant Breeding (IBP);
c) Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI under DA);
d) Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), and;
e) International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
The weather agency, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services

Administration (PAGASA) was instituted under his regime. The vision of having a space agency
was also in his mind but did not materialize.
In order to monitor the state of energy in the country, the Philippine National Oil Company
(PNOC) was institutionalized. Up until the early years of the Ramos administration, the
government owns Petron which played a crucial role in regulating prices of petroleum products.
The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) that selects the country’s
national scientists was also under his administration.
Aquino Administration
The Department of Science and

Technology (DOST) was under Corazon Aquino’s
regime. This evolved from several agencies dating
back from the Spanish Era, Laboratorio Municipal.
Her administration spearheaded the

ambition of being recognized as a Newly Fig. 6. STMP and STAND
Industrialized Country by the year 2000 through the Science and Technology Master Plan
(STMP).
The Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 (RA 6655) gave emphasis on the
importance of education thus, offering free education at the high school level. This also paved
way for the Science for the Masses Program.
Ramos Administration
The Science and Technology Agenda for National Development (STAND) was foiled to
support Aquino’s STMP. It has four priorities namely: (1) exporting winner products through the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); (2) identify domestic needs via Presidential Council for
Countryside Development; (3) support (local) industries, and; (4) coconut industry development.
Another Science
and Technology framework
under his administration is
the Competence
Competitive Conscience
that has six flagships: (1)
comprehensive program to
enhance technological
enterprises; (2) integrated
program on clean
technology; (3)
establishment of a Fig. 7. Statistics of Clean Energy in the Phil.
packaging Research and
Development Center; (4) expansion of regional meteorology centers; (5) S and T intervention
program for the poor, vulnerable, and disabled, and; (6) comprehensive S and T program in
Mindanao.
The Presidential Task Force for Research and Development and Science and Technology
and Development were undertaken by DOST, DA, DTI, and Department of Transportation and
Communication (DOTC).
The following laws took effect under his administration:

a) Science and Technology Scholarships (RA 7687) offered to soon to be college
students who will be taking up science related courses as prescribed by DOST;
b) Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (RA 8293), in-charged of patents,
and;
c) Magna Carta for S and T Personnel (RA 8439), for their proper compensation.
Estrada Administration
Although Estrada was not able to finish his term, the

following laws conspired: Philippine Clean Air Act (RA 8749),
Electronic Commerce Act (RA 8792), and cost effective
irrigation technologies. RA 8792 was mandated in order to
counteract the threat of the Y2K (Millenium) Bug in the
country. The said “bug” can hamper the functioning of
computers worldwide. Fig.8. RA 8749
Arroyo Administration
The Philippine Science Heritage Center Act (RA 9036), ensuring that each administrative
region will have its own Philippine Science High School was pushed by Arroyo. This is to ensure
that the uplifting of S and T education in the country will be accessible to all.
Other laws include the National Metrology Act

(RA 9236), and Philippine Tropical Fabric Law (RA
9242) obliging that the textile to be used on the uniforms
of government agencies are locally produced.
In support of RA 8749, RA 9637, the Biofuels Act

was mandated to ensure cleaner emission of vehicles.
Her administration also enacted RA 10055, the
Philippine Technology Transfer Act.
Fig. 9. Sources of bioethanol.

B. Aquino Administration
Benigno Aquino was

called the “Father of Philippine
Organic Farming” since his
administration passed RA
10068, also known as Organic
Farming Law. The Republic
Health Law (RA 10354) and
the implementation of K-12
curriculum (RA 10533: Fig. 10. Laws under B. Aquino’s administration regarding ICT.
Enhanced Basic Education ACT) was also under his administration. His support in agriculture can
be seen at the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization (AFMech) Law (RA 10601).
Duterte Administration
The Balik
Scientist Program (RA
11035) was finally
enacted by the Duterte
administration. This
encourages scientist
from abroad to come
back and serve the
country, coupled with a
certain cash agreement.
He also envisioned that
internet to be accessible
to everybody through the
Free Internet Access in Fig. 11. Diwata II
Public Places Act (RA 10929). His administration also sought to put up the country’s first
Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) under RA 11363 (Philippine Space Act). The launching of the
first Filipino-made microsatellites, Diwata I and II occurred on his reign.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Through the joint effort of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the
National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), the country has managed to meet the
standards of ASEAN 2015, specifically in the fields of Science and Technology through several
policies. These policies were clustered into four, together with their subcomponents, namely:
Fig. 12. ASEAN Countries.
1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, International Policies, and Governance

- Integrating ASEAN awareness in basic education without
adding to the curriculum: this can be achieved through downloadable lessons and video
presentations related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN).
- Emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue: through the
Department of Education (DEPED), the initiative was started during the S.Y. 2012 – 2013 through
the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) under DEPED Order No. 16, s.
2012.
- Developing school infrastructure and providing for ICT (Information and
Communication Technology) broadband: specifically, in ICT broadband, wherein through the
Philippine Digital Strategy of 2011 – 2016,
envisions that 80 % of the elementary schools and 100 % of high schools will have internet access
as one of the beneficiaries
- Local food security: dealing with the issues of food availability,
utilization, and access and stability
2. Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, Earth and Space Sciences, and
Mathematics
- Emphasizing on degrees, licenses and employment
opportunities: This includes scholarships offered by DOST on both undergraduate and
postgraduate studies, licensure examinations conducted by the PRC (Philippine Regulatory
Commission), and the Balik–Scientist Program to name a few.
- Outright grants for peer monitoring: such as what are being
offered by UP andUSAID (United States Agency for International Development)
- Review of RA 9184: Government Procurement Reform Act: to
ensure that necessary rules and regulations for the modernization, standardization, and regulation
of the procurement activities of the country will be met.
- Harnessing Science and Technology as an independent mover
of development: through R and D, poverty and other problems of the country will be addressed.
3. Medical, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences

- Ensuring compliance of drug-manufacturing firms with ASEAN-
harmonized standards by full implementation of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration): the
ASEAN Common Technical Requirements (ACTRs) of 2016 serves as a guide in providing
supportive information on the requirements for submission of application to implement a change
to a pharmaceutical product. ACTRs is like the Notice to Applicants (NtA) Volume 2C Europe in
Europe.
- Creating an education council dedicated to standardization of pharmaceutical
services and care: this is mandated by RA 5921, which was amended in 2016 into RA 10918 or
the Philippine Pharmacy Law
- Empowering food and drug agencies to conduct evidence-based research as
pool of information: also given emphasis on RA 10918
- Allocating 2 % of GDP (gross domestic product) for research.
- Legislating a law supporting the human genome project (HGP): this gave birth
to The Newborn Screening Act of 2004, also known as RA 9288
4. Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Forestry

- Protecting and conserving biodiversity by full implementation of
existing laws: includes RA 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) and
EO 247 of 1995 that prescribes guidelines and establishes a regulatory framework for the
prospecting of biological and genetic resources, their by-products and derivatives, for scientific
and commercial purposes; and
other purposes.
- Use of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN countries:
through the efforts of DOST–PCAARRD (Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural
Resources Research and Development) they came up with the Development of a Framework for
Harmonizing Biosafety Guidelines and Research Protocols in the ASEAN Region in 2019
- Promoting indigenous:
 knowledge systems, which was addressed by UNESCO’s (United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Declaration on Science and the Use of
Scientific Knowledge in 1999.
 people’s conservation, given leverage at RA 8371 (Recognizing
the Rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous People)
- Formulation of common food and safety standards: as stipulated
at RA 10611 (Food Safety Act of 2013).
There are also other programs set forth by the government in collaboration with DOST,
and other entities:
- RA 7687
- providing funds for basic research and patents by the government and ODA
- additional PSHS system
- creating and developing Science and Technology parks in academic
institutions to encourage academe and industry partnerships
- establishment of National Science Complex (NSC) and National
Engineering Complex (NSC) at UP Diliman. The former aims to produce researches, while the
latter is for the development of manpower on these fields
The following capacity – building programs was identified by PAASE (Philippine –

American Academy of Science and Engineering) in 2008:
- founding of Centers of Excellence: Center of Excellence (COE)
means a department within a higher education institution continuously exhibits excellent
performance in the following areas: instruction, research and publication, extension and linkages,
and institutional qualifications. The aim of having such is to sustain/develop excellence of higher
education institutions (HEIs) by enhancing their teaching, research and service programs to
further nation building and national development.
- programs that are concerned with manpower and institutional
development: ESEP (Engineering and Science Education Program) aims to produce more
doctorate holders in the field of science and engineering
In the field of (primary and secondary) education, refer to Chapter 1.
CHED also had a program tied up with the Philippine – California Advanced Research
Institute (PICARI) to allow several higher education institution (HEI) in the country to work up with
some US – based laboratories, research institutes, and universities in terms of agriculture,
engineering, health, science, and technology. The goal of the said tie up is to boost the country’s
competitiveness in terms of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The Philippines considers to have further research and/or projects on the following areas,
namely:
1. climate change and global warming;

2. coping with natural disasters and calamities;
3. finding cure for various diseases and illnesses;
4. harnessing mineral resources;
5. increasing food production;
6. infrastructure development;
7. preservation of natural resources, and;
8. use of alternative and safe energy.
Brain Teaser:
Answer the following items with American, Post – WWII, Pre-Spanish, and Spanish.
___________ 1. Galleon trade _________ 2. Indigenous knowledge system
Choose your answer from Marcos – Duterte Administration
__________________ 3. Balik – Scientist Program.
__________________ 4. Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
__________________ 5. Aims to erect Pisay in every region of the country.
__________________ 6. Establishment of DOST
Identify the Republic Act (RA)
__________________ 7. Recognizing the Rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous

People
__________________ 8. Philippine Pharmacy Law (amended)
Select your answer from the choices below:
V. Biological Sciences, Agriculture & Forestry

E. Medical, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences
R. Physics, Engineering & Industrial Research, Earth & Space Sciences, & Math
A. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, Int’l. Policies & Governance
__________________ 9. Incorporating ASEAN when teaching any subject.
__________________ 10. Provides grants for peer – monitoring.
1. Give at least three (3) issues in the country that can be addressed by the
laws/policies/ programs discussed in this chapter.
2. Name at least two (2) issues governed by S and T but are not addressed by
what was discussed in this chapter.
Assessment Task:
Filipinos also excel in the field of S and T. However, they are not given too much
attention/credit in comparison to their international counterparts. Have a list of your Top 10 Filipino
Scientist, together with their brief contributions to justify their rank on your list.
Case Analysis:
Imagine that you were appointed by the Philippine President as DOST Secretary.
What will be your five (5) priorities with regards to nation building that you want the President to
give importance to? How will you persuade him to take your side? What must be done so that the
said priorities will be concrete?
Chapter 4
HUMAN FLOURISHING
OBJECTIVES:

- discuss the role/s of science and technology towards human flourishing;
- integrate human flourishing and progress of science and technology in one’s
meaning of good life, and;
- construct a Venn diagram of verification and falsification theories.
INTRODUCTION:
Regardless of race or nationality, humans want to flourish in order to achieve his/her goal/s
in life. Not only does one’s social status or self-esteem heightens when s/he achieves something,
it also brings about happiness.
Eudaimonia (good-spirited) is
a term coined by Aristotle to describe
the greatest of happiness that
humans can achieve. In literature, this
is translated into human flourishing
wherein an individual is comparable
to a flower, who upon reaching
eudaimonia is at his/her full bloom.
Aristotle’s human flourishing is

a result of several components
including friendship (wisdom),
phronesis, wealth, and power as what
is stated on his work in the
Nicomachean Ethics. During his time, Fig. 1. Eudaimonia
having the said components will help one achieve happiness and in effect, will have the notion of
what is good.
Through time, the concept of human flourishing changed far from what Aristotle originally
had in mind. This can be attributed to the progress in technology that we have. Before, people
are contented in using animals for transport. At present, we even have vehicles or ships that can
bring us into space. One cannot argue that advancements in science and technology did bring
comfort to our lives. Humans of today are expected to become “man of the world”. Competition
as means of survival is a passé since we are living in a global neighborhood. What is needed is
cooperation and coordination among individuals.
Human flourishing and the view of society is also different when looked up from the eastern
and western points of view. The former gives more emphasis on the individual while the latter are
more of community – centric. Also, they differ on their end goal since the western focuses on
one’s flourishing whereas the eastern puts the community as its top priority. However, one cannot
stereotype what was previously mentioned regarding the east and west due to globalization. Due
to interaction with others, which also entails access to their culture is a challenge for someone to
fully adhere to their original philosophies.
Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing
These concepts can be summarized by the line:
“The good is inherently related to the truth”.
Through science, the secrets of the universe are uncovered, the question of our existence
is being answered, and it provides us with something to look forward to. The fruits of science that
we reap in attaining human flourishing is through technology.
Science aims to discover and materializes it through technology, and in the end results to
attaining one’s goal/s (human flourishing). Thus, science needs to have undertakings on how to
determine what “true” is through the concepts of method and results, and social endeavor.
Science as Method and Result
One of the salient points of science in comparison to other disciplines is being empirical.
It relies on what is being perceived by the senses makes it objective and free from bias. Science
was able to achieve its pedestal through the concepts to be discussed on the next paragraphs.
Table 1. Steps of the Scientific Method.

Steps Examples
Observe and determine if there are unexplained Scores in biology exam are lower in
event/s worth looking to. comparison to other sciences.
Identify the problem and determine the factor/s Poor performance in biology.
involved.
Formulate a hypothesis that could possibly The use of student-generated
explain the said event/s. There are two types of socioscientific analogies (SGSSA) will
hypothesis: improve scores in biology exam.
a) null: states that there is no difference between
the parameters under study.
b) alternative: states that there is a difference
between the parameters under study.
Test the hypothesis by conducting experiment/s Students will be given pretest and
which can be either: posttest. They will also be asked to jot
a) qualitative: description of attributes down a reflection paper at the end of
b) quantitative: numerical every topic.
Based on the results of the experiment/s, gather Get the pretest and posttest scores and
data and analyze them. Make sure that the perform the necessary statistical tool. The
amount of data that was put into analysis is enough
data gathered from the reflection paper
to arrive at a conclusion. will be used to make justification on the
statistical results.
Draw a conclusion in order to make up one’s mind The use of SGSSA did help in improving
about something. exam results in biology.
(optional) Provide recommendation/s in case Try to use SGSSA in other fields of
others would want to broaden the study. science as well.
Scientific Method
It is a method of investigation involving observation and theory to test (scientific)

hypotheses. It involves various steps discussed on Table 1 with its corresponding examples.
Though simple as it seems because the said method is introduced as early as one’s elementary
days, it hones an individual’s empiricism through the conduct of experiments in order to validate
what’s in his/her mind.
Verification Theory
Also known as logical positivism, this theory provided the earliest criterion between
science and philosophy. Strengthened by the early 20th century movement, the Vienna Circle
(group of scholars), this theory lies on empiricism, measurable results, and repeatable
experiments. For them, a discipline is considered as science if it can be confirmed or interpreted
upon the acceptance of an alternative hypothesis.
However, the loopholes of verification theory are as follows:

a) premature shut down of budding theories lacking empirical results: this
includes the Theory of Relativity (did someone or something at present had the ability to travel at
the speed of light) and Evolution (how can you repeat the process of evolution since it takes
hundreds, or even billions of years to reoccur).
b) fails to weed out fraudulent arguments that explain things coincidentally:
astrology for example employs observation of celestial objects to justify its results.
Falsification Theory
Proposed by Karl Popper, this theory is the current prevalent and most accepted
methodology in science for the reason that it provided a niche for theories rejected via verification
theory. Falsification theory argues that as long as a belief is not proven to be false and can be
justified by a corresponding alternative hypothesis then, it is acceptable. It also encourages
research on which theories can withstand the test of falsification. As a result, it does not promote
ultimate adoption of one theory.
Same with the first theory discussed, falsification theory has its shortcomings as well:
a) No rule to determine the number of times a certain theory is rejected/falsified
in order for it to be set aside.
b) No assurance that observable events (“evidences”) are manifestations of the
theory.
Due to these shortcomings although the use of this theory is the current
trend, scientists do not totally agree that falsification theory is the gold standard in proving whether
or not an ideology is scientific.
The figure below provides the comparability of the two theories.
Fig.2. Comparison of Verification and Falsification Theories.
Due to the inconclusiveness of the methodologies previously cited, other school of thought
regarding science emerged. One of it is the aspect of science as a social endeavor. This means
that science is not only limited to books, computers, and other sophisticated equipment. The
knowledge garnered from shared experiences that forged solidarity in a community projects
science in a different light. For example, tribesman who are able to hit their target with the use of
bow and arrow have not studied the physics behind it but are successful on it. Also, they did not
study medicine but are able to cure their fellow tribesmen with the use of herbal medicine. Thus,
as what was the 1999 UNESCO Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge
stated, no science is inferior to another. This is supported on the social endeavor side of science
that looks on its application in figuring how the world works/exists/originated among others.
Science then as a social endeavor aims to address various problems, satisfy various
needs, and see through society’s sustainable development with the use of scientific knowledge.
Again, scientific knowledge here also pertains to informal education as well.
Science and Results
Science does not monopolize the claim for definite results since it is not 100 % correct all
the time. Take for instance weather forecasting under the science of meteorology. Even in the
use of satellite imagery and other hi-tech equipment, weather forecasting cannot determine the
exact damage a typhoon or hurricane may bring.
Not all have access to formal education. Thus, people resort to the saying: “To see is to
believe”. Aside from science – religion, luck, and human randomness also produce results and
provide explanation. It is up to us to discern whether to believe on the said fact and result or it is
under the realms of science.
Science as Education
Admittedly, many students are into science-related courses in the hopes of getting high-
paying jobs and a lucrative career after graduation. Based on the findings of the Manila Times in
2019, 91% of Filipino respondents are interested in taking up careers in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and 80 % are compelled to do so. That’s why the country
is doing its best with regards to science education (Chapter 1).
However, if one is really in pursuit of human flourishing (based on Aristotle’s perspective),

aside from science and technology, other disciplines must also be given of equal importance.
S/he must not focus to one discipline alone. To be a eudemonic person, a science-oriented
individual must also possess intellectual virtues that will enable him/her to determine which is
fallacy or not. Also, s/he must also excel in other dimensions such as artistic, kinetic, linguistic,
and socio-civic.
How Much Is
Too Much?
The
Millennium
Development
Goal (MDG)
signed by world
leaders,
including the
Philippines in
2000 has global
partnership and
development as
one of its
agenda. In an
economist
perspective, the
primary
indicator of
development is
(economic)
growth wherein
resources are
used to achieve
such. Through
technology, Fig.3. Combatting exploitation
harnessing the resources around us became easier and faster.
However, what is missing in the equation is “sustainability” which was argued by Jason
Hickel, an economist who specializes in inequalities. Since nature cannot keep up with the phase
of economic growth, people resort to exploitation which on the long run causes irreversible
damages. According to him, if we do not subscribe into de-development policies, there will come
a point in time that nature would not be able to provide us with the things we need.
At present, we are reaping the cost of exploitation including extinction of many flora and
fauna and the man-made climate change which brought humanity trouble in an unimaginable way.
Worse, we might be carving our “own” extinction.
Brain Teaser:
1 – 4. Components (in any order) one must have to achieve eudaimonia according to Aristotle.
_______________________ 1. _______________________ 2.
_______________________ 3. _______________________ 4.
6 – 10. Identify the part of the scientific method exemplified on the following scenarios.
______________________________ 5. I want to know if water freezes faster on its own or with

sugar added to it.
______________________________ 6. Based on the results of the experiment, distilled water

(dH2O) water freezes first compared to dH2O with sugar of the same amount.
______________________________ 7. Both dH2O and dH2O with sugar will freeze at the same
time.
______________________________ 8. Have two identical 500 mL water bottles: one with dH2O,
the other one with dH2O mixed with 3 tablespoons of sugar. Place them on the freezer.
______________________________ 9. Look for the time when each of the water bottles froze
first. Does adding sugar freezes water in a faster or slower rate?
______________________________ 10. At regular intervals of 15 minutes, open the freezer and

observe the status of the water in each bottle.
1. In your own words, what is human flourishing?

2. At present, do science and technology help us in attaining human flourishing?
Assessment Task:
Make a collage promoting sustainable development.
Case Analysis:
Provide your stand regarding Kaliwa Dam’s construction (https://bit.ly/3cJoLLb).
What is the Kaliwa Dam project?

Published October 29, 2019 11:03pm By MA. ANGELICA GARCIA, GMA News
The China-funded Kaliwa Dam project, which will be constructed along Rizal and Quezon
provinces is seen to augment the water supply from Angat Dam.
The Kaliwa Dam, which has a height of 60 meters, is expected to put an end to water shortages
in Metro Manila since it will provide additional 600 million liters of raw water per day.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) already issued the Kaliwa Dam
project with an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The ECC is one of the requirements for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System
(MWSS) and China Energy Engineering Corp. to proceed with the 12.2-billion-peso project,
including a free prior and informed consent from the indigenous people.
According to the DENR, the ECC was issued by the Environmental Management Bureau to the
project after it satisfied the requirements of the Environmental Impact Statement System.
However, the Commission on Human Rights allegedly said there might have been a fake
consultation and approval from the affected indigenous communities.
At stake
The project would submerge parts of General Nakar and Infanta in Quezon Province. It would
also affect the Sierra Madre in Tanay, Rizal, some groups claim.
The Haribon Foundation said the town of Infanta, which is a delta or a landform created by
deposition of sediment, might be erased from the map if this project pushes through.
But the MWSS said they will provide housing and other resources for the indigenous people who
will be affected.
Environmental groups also said the flooding caused by the project will displace and kill species
that live in the area.
But President Rodrigo Duterte said he is ready to use expropriation or the police power of the
state to put an end to water shortages, even if the environment is at risk.
Delayed
In 2014, the Kaliwa Dam project was initially rolled out as a PPP project, with two qualifying
bidders — SMC-K Water Consortium (San Miguel Holdings Corp. and Korea Water Resources
Corp.); and the Abeima-Datem Consortium (Albeinsa Infraestructura Medio Ambiento S.A and
Datem Inc.)
The project involved the development of a new water source to meet the increasing water
demands by constructing a redundant dam for Metro Manila's domestic water supply.
The government, however, under the administration of Duterte, in March 2017 chose to instead
push through with the project under an ODA scheme.
In 2017, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III signed a financing agreement for the project in
which China would provide soft loans estimated at $234.92 million covering Phase 1-Kaliwa Dam,
and Phase 2-Laiban Dam.
The final loan agreement was scheduled to be signed by government officials of both the
Philippines and China in November 2018.
The project, however, has been met with opposition as community groups said over 14,000
households of mainly indigenous peoples would be displaced.
Chapter 5
TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING
OBJECTIVES:

- explain human condition before the dawn of science and technology;
- relate the changes that happened in human condition after science and
technology, and;
- name ways on how technology spearheaded in revealing the truth about
human beings.
INTRODUCTION:
Study Table 1 (https://bit.ly/33FhkRp) below:
Table 1. Then and Now
Imagine! Such changes occurred in just 112 years! Thus, you will be expecting that the
society did metamorphosed a lot if the comparison will be done from B.C. (before Christ or
politically termed as B.C.E. (before common era)) to A.D. (Anno Domini or politically termed as
C.E. (common era)). Admittedly, these changes where brought about by science and technology
that affected our lives in terms of culture, language, and rights among others. Can you think of
examples?
The changes aforementioned brought by science and technology leads to “generation

gap” especially when the individuals handling a given technology comes from different
generations. As a result, most people belonging to an earlier generation thinks that using
technology is complicated and difficult in comparison to their usual way of living. Sadly, this verdict
is being laid down even if they have not tried using the said technology yet. To bridge the
generation gap, those belonging to a younger generation must have an open mind and willingness
to help their elders’ access and use the given piece of technology.
People dating back in B.C.E. are already fascinated about science and technology which
led to numerous inventions. These were later on modified and up to present is being enjoyed.
Through science and technology, it helped people in more than one way in experiencing what it
really means to live.
Aside from science and technology, an interplay of the kind of environment, people’s way
of life, and how the society works where an individual life produced the changes that affects
his/her view of human flourishing.
Table 2. Generations at Present (https://mck.co/33I1UvB).
The Human Condition in the BCE (Humans contented with their relationship with nature)
Survival is the general theme why our ancestors were able to produce the technology of
their own without realizing the science behind it. Take for example fire, a taken for granted
commodity at present but actually was a landmark discovery for Homo erectus. They discovered
that cooked food tastes a lot better. Aside from cooking, they built bonfires to keep them warm at
night. Fire was then produced by chipping a flint over another without them realizing the concept
of heat and friction behind it. On the other hand, Homo sapiens paved the way to Stone Age since
they used tools made up of stone.
Having stones as tools proved to be fragile and heavy. Humans then explored nature and
discovered minerals which gave birth to metallurgy. Notable in history are the Bronze and Iron
Ages. During these periods of history, the predominant material for tools were bronze (mixture of
copper and tin) and iron. Iron replaced bronze in the 12th century because it is more durable and
at the same time lighter.
In terms of fashion, people living in B.C.E. became fascinated with shiny stones and
perfectly shaped bones and teeth. Animal skin and fur was made into clothing to cover one’s
nakedness and as protection in terms of harsh environmental condition. The use of dye and
knowledge of weaving paved the way into the fashion mood. What do you think motivated them
to set their clothing and clothing into the mood of fashion? Social standing and stratification, honor,
one’s way of defining life, and explaining certain phenomena might be the reason behind.
Religion provided the explanation for B.C.E people due to the fact that science is not
established during the time. It provided the answers to their inquiries. Excavations of prehistoric
times found figures and “ceremonial” materials that are interpreted as religious artifacts. Cave
carvings also revealed the god/s of a certain tribe. A volcano is a god to them that brings wrath
once it explodes. Therefore, during those times, gods can be classified as either generic (can be
seen anywhere like land and water masses) and specific (mythology). The “primitive” god/s are
based on events or things encountered in daily life.
B.C.E. people did acknowledge that they could only do and understand as much for there
are things beyond their comprehension and control. This line of thinking humbled them that there
were several larger, more powerful forces in nature in terms of order of things.
The Human Condition in the CE (Gather as much products as possible)
Acquiring wealth is the central theme for people of CE. Sadly, the biggest mark that CE
brings in history is the sixth extinction (Holocene Extinction). What makes this extinction unique
is that it is induced by man, calling it also as Anthropocene Extinction. The extinction at present
Fig. 1. B.C.E., an Infographic (https://bit.ly/3diAMbb).
started as early as 2000 years ago. One might be wondering how on earth will man bring demise
to him/herself? Here’s how.
Increase in population is equated with increasing needs. This is necessary for survival and
humans use their upper hand in terms of development and adaptability. Thus, they exploit nature
which then leads into overexploitation. Manifestation of such is the extinction brought by humans
to both flora and fauna through hunting and finding places for their settlement, may it be for
residential, agricultural, or commercial use.
Aside from basic needs such as food and other resources, man needs to widen his/her
territory due to a growing community. Such needs triggered wars, both documented and
undocumented in history. Leaders of the time must be brave and strong. However, man also
found out that the bright and righteous can also serve as leaders. Seeing the aftermath of war,
man then began negotiating (around 5000 years ago) with other communities to fulfill his/her
needs.
Looking on the bright side, science became established on this point of history, and at the
same time gave birth to its branches. For instance, the medical field. The need for this field
surfaced since men fear death and address how to prolong life by combatting diseases. The
incantations and potions used by shamans or elders before translated to medical practices and
various medicine of our time. Chemistry also arise from the practice of alchemy wherein one of
its goal is to produce gold out of lead. Also through science and technology, we can say that the
following aspects did improve in comparison to what our ancestors had in BCE:
a) mortality rate lessened since fewer mother and/or child die during
birth. Medical care ensures that the mother will recover and become empowered as before
whereas those born prematurely can be taken good care until they normally develop;
b) lengthened average life span, since dreaded disease that claims
millions of lives like tuberculosis (TB) are now treatable thanks to the development of drugs, not
only limited to medicine but to antibiotic and vaccines as well. Also, people at present do not need
to wage war in order to survive;
c) literacy rate prospered due to faster access to information with just a
click of a button. With the technological advancements in the classroom learning now becomes
more fun and interesting, and;
d) gross domestic product (GDP) which translates into the goods and
services produced by a country in a given time period became more efficient thanks to technology.
Not only did work became easier, more products or merchandise reach their destination at a
shorter period of time.
Fig. 2. C.E. Innovations (https://bit.ly/2Unn9ys).
The Essence of Technology
Indeed, technology has proven its stead towards the improvement of then and now. We
became dependent on technology in our search of “good life”. Through it, we find ways from
nature to utilize and grow – a belief we have that will gear us to become better.
There were attempts to define technology away from its purpose. Martin Heidegger, a
philosopher argued that technology’s purpose or essence is different from its being. He then
developed the instrumental and anthropological definitions of technology. The former says that it
is a means to an end, the latter states that it is a human activity.
Technology’s anthropological definition poses a danger since man views nature as a field
of resources, therefore reducing everything to their economic value. Everything now becomes
monetized. We forget to see nature “as it is” rather, we classify it as either renewable or non-
renewable. Man’s current mindset is towards the utilization of one’s skills. In effect, it reduces
his/her perspective that productivity is what matters throughout man’s lifetime. Practicality then
becomes the essence of good life. One expects to get fair compensation on the amount of work
s/he give. This might be a reason why science – related courses are taken by the majority, for it
will lead them to greener pasture once they land on a job.
Too much reliance on technology has its ill-effects. Going back to Heidegger’s definitions
of technology, these two can be consolidated into one word – “sustainable”, which means
development that covers the needs of the present, without compromising the resources to be
utilized by future generations. Also, he points out that technology is only one of the many
approaches in order for us to determine the truth, which will eventually lead us in determining the
good.
Backtracking the Human Condition
Human condition did improve in terms of level of comfort, various scientific breakthroughs,
and lifestyle. Take for example your smartphone. Aside from its various functionality (from a mere
device receiving and making calls that became a “mini computer”, which brings comfort thanks to
scientific breakthroughs), their appearance also become stylish and at the same time, appealing
to its owner (aspect of lifestyle).
However, little to almost nil improvements are exhibited if one will talk of wars, survival,
and life’s meaning. Due to technology, various weapons of mass destruction were also built
making wars more devastating than before. The issue of social stratification brings about issues
of who will have access to the commodities and resources at hand. Lastly, man does not learn
from the mistakes of the past, even if he had prior knowledge that his works and actions might
lead to something detrimental.
Technological advancement is at its peak as we speak. On the other hand, morality is not
on the same phase. If morality cannot keep up, one’s sole reliance on technology will do him/her
little in search for what life is.
Brain Teaser:
Identify the generation being described:
______________1. communaholic ______________2. postwar ______________ 3. Millennial
BCE or CE
__________________ 4. Iron Age
__________________ 5. Chemistry
Identification
__________________ 6. He argued that technology’s purpose is different from its

being.
__________________ 7. They were the ones who used fire first in cooking food.
8 – 10. Conditions that never changed (referring to BCE vs. CE. In any order).
__________________ 8.
__________________ 9.
__________________ 10.
Heidegger argued that technology is only one of the aspects that can be used in search
of truth that will lead to one’s good. Name at least two (2) aspects that one can use in search of
the truth.
Assessment Task:
Give an invention, discovery, or innovation that will unify the three aspects of improvement
discussed on Backtracking the Human Condition.
Case Analysis:
On the given excerpt (https://bit.ly/2TpcILf) regarding automobile (manufacturing), in what

way/s can humans be an “agent” on which technology improves, rather than they serve as
preserving it (automobile (manufacturing))?
Take, for example, the motor vehicle. This is just one creation that has controlled the
course of mankind and has produced people as the resource in which to preserve its production.
It has enslaved people in a capitalist culture where they are essentially chained to a production
line for the sole purpose of creating more and more vehicles. But it goes much further than that.
Mankind has taken it upon themselves to fight wars over oil and many people have died. Take for
example the war in Iraq, where many innocent people were killed to foster control of oil. However,
oil production and use has brought the potential for an even bigger death toll if humans are unable
to stop their obsession and control the substance’s effect on the environment. Heidegger would
assume in his definition that humans would create their own demise…
Chapter 6
THE GOOD LIFE
OBJECTIVES:

- discuss some schools of thought that pertains to the attainment of good life;
- recognize available possibilities on how humans can achieve the good life,
and;
- examine what is meant by good life.
INTRODUCTION:
Long before science was formally established, Ancient Greeks came to conclusion that in
order to understand the world and reality, one must have a grasp in understanding oneself and
the good life. For Plato, to understand the acts of getting what will make the soul flourish is parallel
to one’s comprehension of the world. Thus, to understand the world, one must understand
him/herself first.
Aristotle on the other hand managed to differentiate theoretical from practical science. The
former’s goal is to achieve the truth while latter aims for the truth. Thus, it is correct to say that
one must find the truth first in order for him/her to determine what is good. Under theoretical
science are biology, logic, metaphysics, and physics whereas ethics and politics falls under
practical science.
These philosophers among others attempted to unlock philosophical questions such as:
- “What is good life?”
- “How should one live well?”
- “What does it take to live fruitfully?”
Aristotle and How We All Aspire for a Good Life
Aristotle has a
different view of reality
compared to his teacher,
Plato. For Plato, there are
two types of world: forms
and matter that is
discussed on the Allegory
of the Cave. The world of
forms is the real thing
whereas the world of
matter is just the
manifestation of the world
of forms. Thus, the world
of matter is changing and
impermanent. On the Fig. 1. Allegory of the Cave (https://bit.ly/2UinJ1G)
other hand, Aristotle
consolidated these two
worlds into one –
substance. He is fond of
empiricism thus, reality for
him is what the senses
only perceives.
His analysis of the

external world further Fig. 2. Aristotle’s reality (https://bit.ly/2JdReeH)
extends to the thought that
the potentialities of human beings leads to their actuality. Everything that s/he does is a function
of his/her telos (purpose). For Aristotle, an individual’s telos is about happiness. This happiness
is tied to human flourishing that is contentment in knowing that one is getting the best out of life.
Happiness as a Goal of Life
History reveals that there are several schools of thought that has the goal of attaining a
good and happy life. Some of them will be discussed below.
Materialism
Championed by Leucippus and his student

Democritus, they advocated that the universe is made up of
indivisible particles termed as atomos. Atomos then
combines in a random fashion that brought the things around
us. In this belief, only material entities matter. Immaterial
things are irrelevant. Thus, its highest goal is for someone to
attain comfort, pleasure, and wealth.
Fig. 3. Materialism
Hedonism
This school of thought is best explained by

YOLO (You Only Live Once) since it abides by the
“pleasure principle”. Its founder Epicurus based
hedonism in materialism. Thus, afterlife is also of no
value. A hedonist aims to maximize total pleasure
through the absence of pain, wants, and fear.
Happiness remains fixed if pleasure is finally gained. Fig.4. Hedonism (https://bit.ly/2Unn9ys)
Epicureanism
Also founded by Epicurus, it sets itself apart from hedonism since it does not advocate
excessive self-indulgence. Instead, it promotes virtue as means to one’s end. Just like hedonism,
it invokes the avoidance of pain but in a different note. Pain can be avoided by an Epicurist if one
lives a simple life and develops friendship to the people around him/her. Although it advocates
virtue, it concurs with Hedonism that there is no life after death. They take the Materialists’
perspective for when we die, our soul (made up of atomos) becomes disorganized leading to the
cessation of one’s existence.
Fig. 5. Seven Deadly Sins vs. Seven Virtues(https://bit.ly/2WCZA7M).
Based on the comparison of Hedonism and Epicureanism, which of the two concepts in
Figure 5 is followed by which school?
Stoicism
Like the first three school of

thoughts, Stoicism rooted from Greece with
Zeno of Citium as its founder. For Stoics,
virtue (ex. wisdom) equates with happiness
and judgements must be made based on
actions rather than words. It teaches its
followers that there are certain things
beyond one’s control. It stands out from
other school of thoughts because it
Fig. 6. The Stoic Happiness Triangle
promotes practical application rather than
intellectual enterprise. (https://cutt.ly/StnMd5M).
Theism
A school of thought that there

is/are god/s or supernatural being/s
who is omniscient, omnipotent, and
omnipresent. A communion with
it/them is believed to be the key in
achieving the meaning of one’s life.
Fig. 7. Major Religions (shorturl.at/ixCHL)
Regardless of the number of religions the world has, they fall on any of these categories:
Fig. 8. Theisms (shorturl.at/cnD07).
Further, one must not be outright judgmental in calling someone an atheist for this said
belief comes in certain degree discussed on Figure 9.
Fig. 9. Knowledge and Belief of God.
Humanism
A school of
thought without theism
(as well as other
supernatural belief) that
affirms one’s ability and
responsibility to lead an
ethical life through
personal fulfillment that
aspires to humanity’s
greater good. Fig. 10. Humanism (https://bit.ly/2WKi1Hu).
Humanists sees themselves not only as stewards of creation, but also as individuals who
have control for themselves as well as the world outside them.
This is the line of thinking among most scientists since they view the world as a place of
discovery to improve human life. Thus, on the process, we have technology. Some of the marvels
of technology yet contentious in nature is tinkering with one’s sexuality. Hormones may be given
in order to alter the chemicals in the body related to sexual developments. Through surgery, males
at birth can undergo surgery for sexual reassignment. Breast enhancement nowadays is not
limited to females as well.
The advancements brought by technology aims to achieve “good life”. However, a balance
between technology, ethics, and good life must be attained.
Brain Teaser:
Identification:
_______________ 1. World wherein things are impermanent according to Plato.
_______________ 2. Aristotle only promotes one world, referred to as _____.
Schools of Thought
_______________ 3. YOLO
_______________ 4. Things around us are made up of atomos.
_______________ 5. Line of thinking mostly of people engaged in science.
_______________ 6. Founded by Zeno, it abides by the Happiness Triangle.
Category of Theism
_______________ 7. Belief on many gods.
_______________ 8. Does not stick with a certain religion, but has utmost respect
of them all.
Degree of Theism
_______________ 9. Priests, Imams, Pastors, and other religious leaders.
_______________ 10. Does not believe in God, but does not claim to know with 100 % certainty.
Based on the discussion of theism, were you able to discern which theist you are in? How
does your “view” manifest and help you attain the good life?
Assessment Task:
Make a Good Life Collage that demonstrates how technology aided humanity to achieve
and realize his/her desire of good life. Explain these technological advancements on how they
promoted or hindered the attainment of good life.
Case Analysis:
While chit-chatting with your friends, one of them said (https://bit.ly/2Zkd4Xn):

“Over the past five hundred years, the progress of science has worked to strip away God’s roles
in the world. He isn’t needed to keep things moving, or to develop the complexity of living
creatures, or to account for the existence of the universe… Two thousand years ago, it was
perfectly reasonable to invoke God as an explanation for natural phenomena; now, we can do
much better.”.
He then added:
“Further, it is superfluous to suppose that what can be accounted for by a few principles has
been produced by many. But it seems that everything we see in the world can be accounted for
by other principles, supposing God did not exist. For all-natural things can be reduced to one
principle which is nature; and all voluntary things can be reduced to one principle which is
human reason, or will. Therefore, there is no need to suppose God’s existence.”.
Upon hearing this, what will be your reaction? Will you dis/agree with him?
Chapter 7
WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS
OBJECTIVES:

- name the three most common technological advancement present in a
household;
- weigh the pros and cons of such technological advancements, and;
- list the effects of the pros and cons being stated.
-
INTRODUCTION:
Technology prospers as we speak due to the following reasons: changing times and
environment, and the unlimited thought processing of humans to make living easier and more
comfortable. Techne and logos are the two Greek words where the word technology was coined
which means art and word respectively. At present, technology deviated from its etymology since
it not only limited to arts but extends to science as well. There we have the concept of machines,
tools, and gadgets to mention some.
Technology brings a very faint borderline between needs and wants in certain situations.
Before, the only concern of humans to live is food, shelter, and clothing. This is where s/he
focuses his/her earnings. Anything that does not fall on the said categories is considered luxury.
However, this is not the case at present since in a way or another, we are using technology in our
daily activities.
Even if technology brings “goodness” in our lives, it is not free from criticisms and
backlashes. This is caused by the misuse or production of undesirable results of a technological
product. These problems then lead to certain dilemma.
Television Sets, Mobile Phones, Computers, and Humanity
Discussion regarding technology and its products is never – ending, not unless limiting
factors are set in. For the purpose of this part of the lesson, the setting will be at home since
Filipinos are known for their close family ties. It can be inferred that these devices are most
commonly used across all age groups, which makes them popular. Thus, the focus will be set
onto televisions, mobile phones, and computers since a typical Filipino household owns one or
two, if not all these devices.
According to Bautista (2019) of Kantar Media, 88 % of Filipinos has his/her own TV set.
TV is mainly used for advertisements, entertainment, and information dissemination. Even if
accessing the internet (55 %) is the current trend, it only ranks third in comparison to TV in terms
of usage recency as what can be seen in Figure 2. Some of the factors attributable to its success
includes accessibility, not that technical to set-up, can be easily configured (Figure 1), and a single
unit’s ability to accommodate many audiences regardless of size. Watching TV with family
members leads to recreational activities. Also, it serves as stress reliever since a click on the
remote will lead the viewer on the thing s/he wants to watch.
Fig. 1. Access to Media.

Fig. 2. Usage Frequency
The TV we know today takes its roots from the German Paul Gottlieb Nipkow. His electric
telescope (Figure 3), comprised of mechanical parts and rotating disk (Nipkow disk) was able to
transmit images through wires in 1884. The images produced had 18 lines of resolution. The
Nipkow disk was used for about 50 years before being replaced by electronic scanning devices.
Figure 3a. How the Nipkow Disk Works Figure 3b. TV inspired by the Nipkow Disk
In 1907, the use of the cathode ray tube (CRT), which is still in use today was introduced
in addition to the mechanical scanner system by Alan Archibald Campbell – Swinton and Boris
Rosing, English and Russian scientists respectively. Having this feat made two types of television
system – mechanical and electronic.
Fig. 4 How CRT Works.
The evolution of TV can be categorized into six eras as depicted in Table 1.
In terms of gadgets, mobile phone is the most widely used by Filipinos, or safe to say
worldwide. In 2019, 88% of Filipinos (approximately 74.2 million out of 109 million) have a mobile
phone wherein 65% of them accounts for smartphone. Also, there are 124.2 million mobile phone
connections (116% of total population) which is over the 2019 population (Creative Social, 2019).
This can be supported by the fact that majority of mobile phone users own at least two units.
Table 1. Six Eras of TV (https://bit.ly/3ega82U).

Analog TV Analog TV Rise of Multi-System
(Black and White; (Colored; 1950s) Operators
1884 – 1930s) (MSO; 1980s)
- large in body size - still bulky coupled with an increase - bulkiness is still an issue
though screen size is in screen size (13” to 20+”) although screen size
from 5” to 12” only. - rectangular CRT coupled with continuously improves
- CRT transistor - cable system*
Rise of Digital (1990s) Rise of High Definition Streaming / Over-the-Top
(HD; 2000s) (2010 - present)
- flat CRT coupled with - bigger and flat size panel (minus - body to screen ratio
integrated circuit (IC) the bulkiness of flat CRT) made continuously improve with
- satellite dish* possible by liquid crystal display the use of light emitting
(LCD) diode (LED), OLED (organic
- HDTV has 720 or 1080 lines of LED), and other similar
resolution technologies
- multi-channel standard TV format - full digital broadcasting
(SDTV)* - platform – oriented TV
- dawn of - SMART TV (2008) (internet, mobile-home
network, Chromecast, etc.)
*USA
Fig. 5. Device usage.
For discussion purposes, two types of mobile phones will be introduced. The first type
which solely functions for call and text, coupled with some basic functionalities like alarm clock
are called analog mobile phone. The second one, smartphone are called such because they have
the features of a computer (internet surfing, document processing, etc.). Figure 5 and 6 were also
obtained from Creative Social (2019) discussing the device usage and time spent with media by
Filipinos, respectively.
The
advancement of mobile
phone (particularly
smartphone) shifted
the country’s title from
the Texting Capital into
the Surfing Capital of
the World (CNN, 2019)
with an average of 10
hours and 2 minutes
per day. It is projected
that by 2023, 50.8
million Filipinos will be
using their mobile
phones to access the
internet (Statista,
2019). Fig. 6. Time Spent with Media
The ancestor of mobile phone, the

Motorola DynaTAC developed by Martin
Cooper in 1973 is farfetched in innovation
compared to its descendants. It only
functions for communication purposes
through making phone calls. Also, in terms of
specifications, it is incomparable to mobile
phones at present since it requires 10 hours Fig. 7. Cooper holding the first and latest
of charging that only supports 30 minutes Motorola unit in both hands.
of talk time. Also, it weighs 1.1 kilograms and has a dimension of 228.6 mm. x 127 mm. x 44.4
mm!
However, one must not forget the mobile phone’s origin since it only proves that the human
mind, collaboration of engineers, designers, and scientists, together with science and technology
is advancing and aims for betterment of the society. The said unit became commercially available
after 10 years bearing the name Motorola DynaTAC 8000X.
Computers also take a fair share of trial

and error like the TV and mobile phone. From
a very space consuming computing machine
that transformed into a compact, multi-
functioning device, it undergone various
modifications and advancements. This led to
having five generations* of computers (Table
2). The basis of modern computer takes its
Fig. 8. Analytical Engine.
roots from 1834’s analytical engine invented by
Charles Babbage. Table 3 shows its components, together with its modern-day counterpart.
Table 2. Generations of Computers.
The first personal computer (PC Table 3. Analytical Engine Compared.
or desktop) was the Altair Microcomputer Analytical Engine Modern Day Computer
Kit made in 1975. Two years after, the mill CPU
first complete pre – assembled PC store RAM and hard disk
emerged – the Radio Shack TRS 80. Pre knobs and printer input/output devices
– assembled in the sense that many components can be attached to it including a printer and
media player (in the form of Betamax player). In 1982, the first portable PC (laptop’s beginning),
Osborne I made its debut.
Ethical Dilemmas Faced by These Technological Advancements
Just as what was stated on the introductory part of the lesson, these products of
technology brought about disadvantages that includes:
a) unhealthy lifestyle: laziness and digital divide also falls under this category. Due to
addiction, obsession, and fixation on one of these devices, some forget to deal with more
important things like studying, doing household chores, exercising, and even eating! Due to this,
not only the physical aspect becomes unhealthy but also the other components of a person that
makes his/her life complete. In terms of digital divide, face to face interaction is also compromised.
It can be observed that even if family members or peers are hanging out together, they usually
communicate with each other using their smartphones or worse, they are “socially absent” on the
given gathering. In terms of social media, some have voluminous number of friends in it but the
bitter reality is that half of them are total strangers to the user. Simply stating, teenagers of today
have more friends in social media than in real life.
If you’ll look into the first dilemma, the user is the one to be blamed of its ill effects, granted
that the manufacturers properly informed the positive and negative impacts of the use of their
products.
b) moral dilemma: the ones that are heavily affected by this are children
for they are exposed to different devices that serve as platforms for different media. Since they
are not et able to decide for themselves rationally, they can go to a certain TV program and/or
surf the web and access information that are not suitable for their age. This can affect the way on
how they view the world and the things around them which may lead to undesired character
change due to their vulnerability.
Lack of adult supervision due to complacency, recklessness, and overconfidence results

to the second dilemma. Thus, children and the manufacturers (as what was previously argued on
the first dilemma) are not to be directly blamed.
These dilemmas can be addressed by two subcategories of ethics: technology and

responsibility. Ethics of Technology serves as a guide to people on how to utilize technology in a
manner that its abuse or unfortunate results can be prevented. The Ethics of Responsibility
emerged since this subcategory is the one that can keep up to the rapid upgrade in the
technological society. The keyword in here is “accountability”. Whether you are the manufacturer
or the user, indicating the priorities, values, norms, and principles that drives one’s action and its
contribution to the scientific-technological event is a must. “What must be allowed?” is the guiding
question of this subcategory since the word responsibility veers more into a positive connotation.
Robotics and Humanity
Robot is another fruit of technology and proves its importance to our lives and the society.
Robots were invented due to the following reason:
- ease workload;
- make life more efficient and less stressful;
- perform complicated and/or life-threatening tasks;
- aid in doing simple tasks so that its owner can have more time dealing with complicated
tasks, and;
- pleasure, in the form of entertainment.
Aside from their uses, robots became popular due to movies, shows, and toys. They were
fueled by the creative minds of their developers.
The lesson will focus more on service robot (since the other type is the industrial robot),
which will be defined based on the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE):
- A robot is an actuated mechanism programmable in two or more axes, having a degree

of autonomy, moving within its environment to perform indicated task/s. Autonomy is defined as
the ability to do intended task/s based on the current state and sensing minus human intervention.
There are two types of autonomy namely partial and full. The former has active human – robot
interaction which is absent on the latter.
Fig. 9. Robotics Law.
- Service robot is a type of robot that performs useful tasks for humans or equipment which
does not include industrial automation application. Further, service robots can be categorized as
either:
a) personal service robot (service robot for personal use): performs noncommercial
tasks and can be operated and used by an ordinary person. Such robots include domestic servant
robot, automated wheelchair, personal mobility assist robot, and exercising robot, and;
b) professional service robot (service robot for professional use): operated by

experts to perform professional tasks. Example of robots doing this task include those that clean
public places, deliver office or hospital supplies, firefighting, bomb-diffusing, rehabilitation, and
surgery robots in hospitals. Expert discussed here is an individual who start, monitor, and stop
intended operation of a robot or robot system.
Just like people living in the society, robots also follow certain rules, formulated by Isaac
Asimov in the 1940s. He put into consideration the ethical consequences of robots to humans,
another robot, and humanity which gave birth on its last Law, the Zeroth Law. Figure 9 presents
the Robotics Laws.
Fig. 10. Rationale behind the chronological arrangement.
Ethical Dilemmas Faced by Robotics
Safety is the uttermost concern with this technology. Who should be held responsible if
someone’s welfare is harmed by a robot? Is it the robot itself, the operator, or its manufacturer?
Thus, correctly identifying who among the three should be blamed and held responsible is utterly
important if such unfortunate event unfold.
In Asimov’s perspective, robots are ethical as long as they follow the Robotics Laws. He
formulated to ensure the safety of the user, the technology itself, and the people around it, which
has ethics as its basis. The user is to be blamed and held accountable if s/he uses the robot for
his/her own interest since the robot only follows their master’s instructions with great consideration
of the Robotics Laws. Malfunctions, without the abuse of the user or the people around it will have
the manufacturer liable. It means that the robot was not built and programmed well which led to
its malfunctioning. But there is a thin line that separates the so – called malfunction and the
“intentional” action of the robot (meaning without the consent or given directives of the user and/or
manufacturer). In this sense, it will be hard to decide if the robot and/or the manufacturer should
be held accountable.
Having such situation brings to surface another dilemma – robots becoming sentient. If
this comes to be, they will develop feelings and emotions. Even worse, they might violate the
Robotics Laws since they will/might see humanity as puny, and inferior compared to them. If this
occurs, the manufacturer and/or the robot itself should face the consequence/s. The former
should be in hot waters since the program made for the robot to think for itself without (active)
human intervention came from them, while the latter is accountable due to the fact it is the one
who decided and did the action. However, before thinking of the worst-case scenario, the
consideration of “robotics rights” must be in place if robots develop such to accommodate the new
characteristic they developed. It is comparable to the animal rights which was only credited in
1970. Before its establishment, animals were treated as properties and people do not think of
them having feelings and emotions. The same argument will also hold true if robots will develop
feelings and emotions in the future.
Then and again, such dilemmas can be prevented if the user, manufacturer, and the robot
itself strictly follows and without any reservation the Robotics Laws.
Brain Teaser:
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE. Write I LOVE STS if the statement is correct otherwise, CHANGE
the UNDERLINED word/s to make it true (2 pts. each).
__________________ 1. In the 1980’s, Digital TV came into mainstream, especially in the USA.
__________________ 2. It was Martin Cooper who invented the first mobile phone for Nokia.
__________________ 3. Isaac Asimov made the ancestor of the modern computer, the analytical
engine.
__________________ 4. Professional service robots are meant for non-commercial tasks.
__________________ 5. Smartphones, according to the discussion is the means wherein most

Filipinos use in accessing media.
Using Figure 5 (Device Usage), provide justifications to bolster Creative Social’s

arrangement of device usage.
Assessment Task:
Perform a skit/role play based on the following topics:

a) robots capable of developing emotions
b) Google and stupidity
c) Filipinos addiction to different technologies
d) Waze/Google Map application
Case Analysis:
David Levy published Love and Sex with Robots in 2007. One of the questions posed is
(https://bit.ly/3dXbZsC):
“Although humanoid robots are artificial people, will the humans who fall in love with robots
somehow reduce the degree of artificiality, by endowing their humanoids with a measure of
social standing? Will it still be so clear that the status of humanoids is firmly ‘not alive,’ or will we
come to regard them as having a twilight status as ‘kind of alive,’ ‘almost alive,’ or something
similar
(p. 305)?”.
The question is, will you fall in love with a robot? Or, if you are an anime fanatic, imagine
that you are Hideki Motusawa of Chobits or Otoru Mamiya of Saber Marionette, then answer the
previous question.
Chapter 8
THE INFORMATION AGE
OBJECTIVES:

- discuss what information age is;
- appreciate its influence on our lives, and;
- trace the development of information age.
INTRODUCTION:
According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the Information Age (which can also be
spelled in small letters) is the modern age regarded as a time in which information has become a
commodity that is quickly and widely disseminated and easily available especially through the use
of computer technology. It started in the 1970s (20th Century) and also referred to as the Computer
Age, Digital Age, or New Media Age. It was believed that this Age was influenced by the
Renaissance (14th to 17th Century)! How come that a 300-year period influenced the Information
Age? Well, it is for the simple reason that the ideas that cannot be put into context due to
technological limitations back then are addressable in our time.
Information Age had a great impact to society due to the fast growth of information and
communication technology (ICT). In this module, the computer and the internet will be given
emphasis since the former is used to access the latter. The internet on the other hand made us
somehow “home buddies” since activities like entertainment, work and profession, education,
paying bills, ordering food, and shopping can be made online.
There are many individuals worth mentioning towards the prosper of this Age. However,
for discussion’s sake, only some will be tackled. These includes:
Charles Flint and Thomas Watson Sr. having contributed to the success of information
technology through their company IBM (International Business Machine) that formally started in
1924.
The man who introduced us to the Information Theory in the 1948 book “A Mathematical
Theory of Communication” by Claude Shannon.
John Kilby, co-inventor of the integrated circuit (IC) (1958) that gave rise to the Third
Generation of computers.
J.C.R. Licklider and Leonard Kleinrock envisioning a network of computers to easily

transfer and retrieve information in the 1960. This led to the concept of the internet.
Intel’s emergence in 1968 through its forefathers, Gordon Moore and Robert Noyce (co-
inventor of IC).
Diosdado “Dado” Banatao (with the moniker “Philippines’ Bill

Gates) developed the very first 16-bit microprocessor-based
calculator (1972), reducing 300 components into three with the said
microchip! The technology was later on adapted by companies such
as IBM on their logic chips and Windows for their graphics accelerator
chip with him spearheading the technology.
The same year also hallmarked the first electronic mail (e-
mail) sent by Ray Tomlinson. Fig. 1. Dado Banatao
Bill Gates and Steve Jobs founded Microsoft (1975) and Apple (1976) respectively.
In 1974, the term internet was introduced by Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn.
James Messenger in 1982 proposed the Theory of Information Age and was credited as
its father. He stated that it is a true new age based upon the interconnection of computers via
telecommunications, with these information systems operating on both a real-time and as-needed
basis.
Furthermore, the primary factors driving this new age forward are convenience and user-
friendliness, which, in turn, will create user dependence.
The Web emerged (which later on became the worldwide web (WWW)) in 1989 through
Timothy Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau.
Also, in the same year, Richard Wurman published a book entitled “Information Anxiety”.
The title later on became a word that describes the difficulty in managing, collecting, and
understanding the voluminous information made available in a faster phase.
Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the father of the search engine Google (1998).
Robert Harris introducing the world with the Truths of Information Age in 2000, which was
later on revised in 2012.
The Android operating system that was made by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and
Chris White in 2003.
Mark Zuckerberg, together with Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz,
and Chris Hughes in 2004 developed Facebook.
Establishment of YouTube in 2006 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim.
Amidst the COVID 19 pandemic, the Information Age made it possible to those who have
access to the internet to go on with their usual lives without leaving the comfort of their homes.
Aside from what was mentioned previously, religious activities as one of the many examples were
done via live stream in lieu of social distancing.
Truths of the Information Age
1. The information industry is built on a certain quantity of information flow. Whatever the
medium - newspapers, TV news, book publishing, websites - the space must still be filled with
whatever is available.
2. Information must compete. A need exists for information to stand out and be recognized in
the increasing clutter, the data smog, that surrounds us.
3. The early word gets the perm. The first media outlet to cover an issue often defines the
terms, context, and attitudes surrounding it.
4. The frame makes the painting. If an issue is framed as a battle between tolerance and
bigotry, then whatever side is the tolerant one will be preferred.
5. Selection is a viewpoint. If you want to receive a more-balanced view of reality, choose
multiple sources for your information.
6. Newer is equated with truer. We have lost the sense that any fact or value can endure.
7. The media sell what the culture buys. In other words, information is shaped by cultural
priorities.
8. You are what you eat and so is your brain. If certain ideas are never presented to you, you
cannot draw adequate conclusions.
9. All ideas are seen as controversial. It is probably impossible to make any assertion that will
not find some supporters and some detractors.
10. Anything in great demand will be counterfeited. The demand for amazing knowledge, secrets,
and scandals is ever present, and hence many events are fabricated by the tabloids, publicists, or
other agents of information fraud.
11. Undead information walks ever on. Lies, hoaxes, misinformation, rumors, disinformation,
and garbled truth never really pass away. They continue to circulate.
12. To accuse is to convict, and possibility is proof. Many people believe that no accusation
would be made without any basis, so that if an accusation is made, it must be true, at least in
part.
13. The medium selects the message. Television is mostly pictorial, partly aural, and very little
textual, so visual stories are emphasized: fires, chases, disasters.
14. Media presence creates the story. When the media are present, especially film news or
television media, people behave much differently from the way they would if not being filmed.
15. Yours is not to reason why. Yours is to buy and buy. As a commercial product, information
is subject to the same treatment as other consumer goods - packaging, marketing,
competition, positioning, and hyping.
16. The whole truth is a pursuit. The information we receive comes to us filtered, selected,
slanted, verbally charged, and sometimes fabricated. What is left out is often even more
important than what is included.
Computer
A computer is a programmable electronic device designed to accept data, perform

prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these
operations. It has the following characteristics:
- responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner;

- can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program), and;
- can quickly store and retrieve large amounts of data.
The computer is comprised of a machinery (hardware), as well as data and

instructions/programs (software). All general-purpose computers have these components:
- central processing unit (CPU): executes the program which instructs the computer on
what to do. Also called the processor;
- memory: for temporarily storing data, programs, and intermediate results (random
access memory or RAM);
- mass storage device: permanently retains large amounts of data and programs
between jobs (hard disk), and;
- input/output (I/O) devices: for entering data to the computer (ex. keyboard, mouse) and
displaying or generating a product (ex. printout, display) accomplished based on the instruction
given.
Computers can be grouped into five generations, based on the technology used in it.
Costing, efficiency, and space were in consideration in the leap from one generation to the next.
First Generation (1940-1956): Vacuum Tubes
Bulky (takes the space of an entire room), expensive, relies only on machine language
(lowest-level programming language) that limits it to solve a problem at a time, uses a lot of energy
and eventually generates a lot of heat (due to its component, vacuum tube) that causes it to
malfunction… these are the notable characteristics of computers belonging to this generation.
Vacuum tubes, which is the only developed technology of that time is being used as the
computer’s circuitry with its memory relying on a magnetic drum. Input was based on punched
cards and paper tape, and output was displayed on printouts.
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer), EDVAC (Electronic Discrete
Variable Automatic Computer), UNIVAC I (UNIVersal Automatic Computer I), and IBM 709 were
some examples of first generation computers. They only do mathematical computations in
comparison to the flexibility of computers at present.
Second Generation (1956-1963): Transistors
Transistors’ potential to be used as computer component was only realized on the late
1950s. It allowed computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more
reliable than their first-generation predecessors. The start of assembly language unraveled on
this generation. This type of programing language allowed programmers to specify instructions in
words and gave rise later to high-level programming languages such as COBOL and FORTRAN.
Also, they are the first computers to use memory in storing instructions which replaced the
magnetic drum with the magnetic core technology.
Some characteristics shared by this generation with the previous is that it generates tons
of heat and have punched cards and paper tape, and printouts as its I/O interface. Aside from
computational tasks, they were also used for the atomic energy industry. Examples are IBMs
1401, 7090, and 1094, together with the UNIVAC 1107.
Third Generation (1964-1971): Integrated Circuits (IC)
Integrated circuits are composed of miniaturized transistors, resistors, and capacitors

embedded on silicon chips (a semiconductor), exponentially increased the computer’s speed and
efficiency and at the same time, reducing its size (close to the size of desktop at present). It
requires lesser maintenance, electric consumption, and generates less heat (though some
requires air-conditioning also). High-level programming language that includes FORTRAN-II to
IV, COBOL, PASCAL PL/1, BASIC, ALGOL-68 etc. were utilized by this computer.
This generation of computers were the first to become accessible to the masses since
they are not limited to scientific tasks and computations. Interfaced with an operating system, it
allowed the device to run many different applications at one time with a central program that
monitors the memory. Also, this is the time were monitor and keyboard replaced the I/O device of
its predecessors. IBM 360 and 370 series, Honeywell – 6000 series, and TDC-316 falls under this
generation.
Fourth Generation (1971 – present): Microprocessors
Thousands of ICs built into a single silicon chip gave birth to microprocessors, a product
of large-scale integration (LSI). There are two types of LSI, VLSI (1971 – 1980) that was
succeeded by ULSI* up to present
(V stand for “very” whereas U is for “ultra”). The advancement was brought about by the increase
in components embedded on the silicon chip.
Intel’s 4004 chip in 1971 was able to place on a single chip a computer’s CPU and memory
to I/O controls. Microprocessors also moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many
areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use it including the smartphone.
This generation also introduced computers for home use which were manufactured by
IBM in 1981 (powered by Microsoft) and Apple’s Macintosh in 1984. This marked the beginning
of Windows versus Apple. Almost all computers of this generation can operate without air-
conditioning, a major success that the first and second generation lacks and in some of third
generation units.
Despite being small, fourth generation computers became more powerful, including being linked
together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet. It also saw the
development of GUIs (graphic user interface) which improved the computer’s speed, accuracy,
and reliability. They have more user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features. High- level
programming language proliferated on this generation like C and JAVA. Lastly, fourth generation
computers are the cheapest among all generations.
*In some references, VLSI and ULSI are separated into fourth and fifth generation respectively. However, the instructor
followed the classification based on the advancements that distinguished a generation from another. Since VLSI and ULSI
are types of microprocessor, this module will place ULSI on the fourth generation also.
Fifth Generation (present – future): Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with

building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
Thus, computers of this generation have the ability of self-learning and organization.
Technologies also using AI includes the camera of a smartphone, robotics, neural

networks, game playing, expert systems development for making decisions in real – life scenarios,
and natural language understanding and generation.
Further, computers can be classified based on their speed and computing power. Figure
2 provides a summary of this classification.
Fig.2. Classification of Computers.
 Personal computer (PC): A small, single-user (that can be linked together forming a
network) computer based on a microprocessor (meaning, the CPU and other components are
placed in one chip). They are the common types of computers we encounter daily which includes
desktop* or tower system (the term can be used interchangeably depending on where you place
the case (containing the CPU, motherboard, etc.). If the case lies beneath the monitor, it’s the
former. Otherwise, it is specifically termed as the latter.), laptop, tablet, smartphone, ultra-mobile
PC and pocket PC.
*the most common term for a stationary type of PC
 Workstation: A powerful, single-user computer (but are typically linked together to form a
local-area network). A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful
microprocessor and, in general, a higher-quality monitor. Workstations are used for engineering
applications (CAD/CAM), desktop publishing, software development, and other such types of
applications which require a moderate amount of computing power and relatively high-quality
graphics capabilities.
 Minicomputer: A mid-size, multi-user, multi-processing system capable of supporting up

to 250 users simultaneously.
 Mainframe: A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or

thousands of users simultaneously. It is very large in terms of size and price. Mainframe executes
many programs concurrently and supports its numerous simultaneous executions. This feature
makes it more powerful than a supercomputer when simultaneous programs are at stake.
 Supercomputer: one of the fastest computers currently available since it focuses power in
executing fewer programs. Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized
applications that require immense amount of mathematical calculations (number crunching).
Supercomputers are used in weather forecasting, scientific simulations, (animated) graphics, fluid
dynamic calculations, nuclear energy research, electronic design, and analysis of geological data
(e.g. in petrochemical prospecting).
Internet (World Wide Web)
The internet is the largest computer network in the world that follows standardized
communication protocols which provides a variety of information and communication facilities. A
network is a group of two or more computer systems linked together. A network can be classified
as either a local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) as depicted on Figure 3 and
4. There connectivity can be wired with the use of ethernet cables (controls the passing of
information and at the same time avoids it simultaneous transmission by two or more systems)
and can be wireless with the use of a router (functions like an ethernet cable) via wi-fi (wireless
fidelity).
A LAN is two or more

connected computers
sharing certain resources in a
relatively small geographic
location, often in the same
building. Examples include
home and office networks. In
contrast, WAN is typically
made up of two or more
Fig. 3. LAN Fig. 4. WAN LANs. In this context, it puts
the internet as the largest WAN in existence.
Internet’s beginnings actually differ from its popular usage at present that involves social
networking and entertainment to name a few. Its development was triggered by USSR’s (present
day Russia) Sputnik I to space in 1957. This challenged the US Department of Defense (DoD) to
make researches and projects in science and technology their priority one. This led to the creation
of an agency called ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency), which gave the world internet’s
ancestor, the ARPANET (ARPANETwork) in the 1960s. The initial purpose was to communicate
with and share computer resources among mainly scientific users connected to other relevant
institutions. ARPANET took advantage of the new idea of sending information in small units called
packets that could be routed on different paths and reconstructed at their destination. It can be
seen here that not only scientists, but the military as well were the first users of the internet since
through ARPANET the computers in Pentagon (headquarters of US DoD) were interconnected to
serve the following purposes: being able to operate on one computer from a terminal to give
military instructions and commands, and to link the researches and information not only for
scientific but for safety as well. Americans Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf in the 1970s develop the
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) still in use today. It allows for the
exchange of data between computers in the same or different networks. One of these protocols,
FTP (File Transfer Protocol), allows users to log onto a remote computer, list the files on that
computer, and download files from that computer. The Internet was under the control of the US
government until 1984.
On March 12, 1989 British physicist Tim Berners-Lee, working for Europe's physics lab
CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), proposes a decentralized system of
information management. It signals the birth of the World Wide Web (WWW). He proposes a
system of hypertext links*, the possibility of clicking key words on one page and being led directly
to the page dedicated to them, thus connecting to other pages. The next year, Robert Cailliau
joins him for the refinement of his invention. It is based on two pillars: the HTML (Hypertext Markup
Language) language, a code that allows the creation of a website; and the protocol for exchanging
the HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) hypertext, the system that lets the user request and then
receive a web page. The first server came into service on December 1990 – a computer where
the web pages, pictures and videos are stocked – as well as the first website.
*can also be called hypertext. A software system that links topics on the screen to related information and graphics, which
are typically accessed by a point-and-click method.
The web is made public in April 1993. Its popularity spreads from November with the
launch of Mosaic, the first search engine to accept pictures. That revolutionized the web,
making it user friendly.
It was later on replaced by the likes of Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Mozilla
Firefox. Thanks to the web the number of Internet users exploded, from several million in the
early 1990s to more than 4.5 billion people in the first quarter of 2020!
WWW or
web for short has
three layers. The
information that is
immediately
accessible (public
websites) is the
surface web (only
4% of the entire
web). If the content
is not indexed on a
search engine, it is
found on the deep
web (~90%).
However, it differs
from the dark web
since they are just
one layer removed Fig. 6. Layers of the Web.
from the surface web and can be accessed through search engines. The dark web (~6%) on the
other hand can only be accessed with the use of certain software since its content is not readily
accessible by search engines. Its termed dark since the data obtained here can be traded and
sold (without the data owner’s consent) for personal, political, or financial gain.
Thus, it is important to keep in mind some tips with regards to the reliability and credibility
of the information derived from the internet. This includes:
1. Look for the author’s credibility and/or an established institution.

- Look at the individual or institution running the website. Are the articles
written by people with relevant credentials or background in the topic? Is the organization a
reputable, established voice on that subject?
2. Check the date.

- When was the last time the site was updated? Are new articles or topics
added regularly? If the website has not been updated in a long time, you might not be getting the
most up-to-date account on what you are searching.
3. Check the headline.

- If a headline seems sensational or radical, carefully read the article to
determine the source of the pronouncement. If the actual story contradicts the headline, and if the
points aren’t backed up with solid (scientific) research or facts, it’s a red flag that this website
might prioritize clicks over correctness.
4. Solidity of the article.

- What kind of evidence the website uses to support their position? If an
article include/s link/s, are they to peer-reviewed articles, or to unfamiliar blogs and low-impact
news sites (reliability check)? Reliable websites are transparent about their sources and help the
reader gain a deeper understanding of the topic, rather than relying on opinion pieces or second-
hand news.
5. Audience
- Who is engaging with the site? If reputable professionals (ex. scientists,
academicians, medical practitioners, etc.) are referencing or sharing information from the site,
that offers added confidence that it is a source of solid information.
The bottom line here is always checking the source of information and always remember…
THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK.
Effects/Impacts of the Information Age*
Living in the Information Age, we’re so used to getting what we want as soon as we want
it. We are becoming more and more accustomed to not having to wait for anything, as instant
gratification is the norm in many areas of our lives. Technology has advanced so much that we
are no longer required to leave our homes to seek fun and leisure. We have such activities
accessible in just one click.
Children living in the information age have most of their conversations online, on sites like
Facebook, rather than in person. They are becoming impersonal beings. They also become a
"society of knowledge workers". Technology is accelerating a rapid transition from a focus on
producing "tangible" artifacts and objects to one focused on creating "digital" products and
services.
Computers and the Internet have facilitated a massive change in how we can live our lives.
Together, they have helped us leap into the "Digital Age". We live in an age where information is
instantly and readily available to more people than ever before. Due to the fact that we are so
consumed by the internet, we spend more time with our computers and our phones than we do
with our families.
Although it may be easier to communicate with people today, than ever before, the amount
of digital information and media at our fingertips seems overwhelming at times. The voluminous
information has boosted research in fields ranging from genetics to extraterrestrial space.
Technology has touched every aspect of life, making it easier, better and different and at the same
time producing consequences.
*adapted from Information age: We are living in the best Time now by Kosoraju, R. (2014).
Applications of Computers in Science and Research
The discussion will be a little bit biased on scientific research, owing to the fact that STS
is a science subject. It includes data storage, data analysis, scientific simulations, instrumental
control, and knowledge sharing.
1. Data Storage: Experimentation is the basis of scientific research. Every experiment

generates a lot of data that needs to be stored and analyzed in order to arrive at important
conclusions, to test the validity of hypotheses. Computers attached with experimental
apparatuses, directly record data as it is generated and subject it to analysis through specially
designed software. MS Office Word and Excel are common tools used to store data.
2. Data Analysis: Analyzing tons of statistical data is made possible using specially
designed algorithms that are implemented by computers. This makes the extremely time-
consuming job of data analysis to be a matter of a few minutes. In genetic engineering, computers
have made the sequencing of the entire human genome possible. Data from different sources
can be stored and accessed via computer networks set up in research labs, which makes
collaboration simpler. MS Excel, SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), and Stata
are popularly used in analyzing data.
3. Scientific Simulation: One of the prime uses of computers in pure science and
Engineering project is the running of simulations. A simulation is a mathematical modeling of a
problem and a virtual study of its possible solutions. Problems which do not yield themselves to
experimentation can be studied through simulations carried out on computers. For example,
astrophysicists carry out structure formation simulations, which are aimed at studying how large-
scale structures like galaxies are formed. Space missions to the Moon, satellite launches, and
interplanetary missions are first simulated on computers to determine the best path that can be
taken by the launch vehicle and spacecraft to reach its destination safely. PhET for instance is a
suite of research-based interactive computer simulations for teaching and learning physics,
chemistry, math, and other sciences.
4. Instrumentation Control: This is one of the most important applications of computers,
especially in expensive and sophisticated scientific instruments including the Hubble and Kepler
Space Telescopes that observes the universe from outer space.
5. Knowledge Sharing via Internet: Anyone can upload and access the
latest research papers that are made available for free on websites. Sharing of knowledge and
collaboration through the internet, has made international cooperation on scientific projects
possible. Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic Source, and ResearchGate are search engine that
provides free access to credible scholarly works.
The advancements in computer and internet gave rise to a new field of science
(specifically biology) – bioinformatics. It is the sum of the computational approaches to analyze,
manage, and store biological data. Bioinformatics involves the analysis of biological information
using computers and statistical techniques, the science of developing and utilizing computer
databases and algorithms to accelerate and enhance biological research. It is used in analyzing
genomes (organism’s complete set of DNA, including the genes). This can be done by using SBS
(sequencing by synthesis) technology proteomes (protein sequences). They can be analyzed
using liquid chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry analysis (LC-MS), three-
dimensional modeling of biomolecules (Bioblender is an open-source 3D modelling software) and
biologic systems (how the body will react to the vaccine being developed against COVID 19 before
mass testing it), etc.
Brain Teaser:
Identification:
______________ 1. He developed the very first 16-bit microprocessor-based calculator.
______________ 2. Aside from Zuckerberg, name another founder of FB.
______________ 3. The third – generation computer has it as its basic component.
______________ 4. ENIAC stands for ________________________________.
______________ 5. In terms of simultaneous execution of multiple programs, this is the most

powerful computer.
______________ 6. A network that allowed the Pentagon to have access to other computers.
______________ 7. HTML stands for _________________________________.
______________ 8. The readily – accessible part of the web is referred to as ___.
______________ 9. Referred to as the sum of the computational approaches to analyze, manage,

and store biological data.
______________ 10. It is the largest computer network in the planet.
List five (5) ways on how the Information Age affected your daily life.
Assessment Task:
Using a computer/smartphone, access the site: https://zapatopi.net/afdb/. Based on what

was discussed, provide five (5) proofs/evidences that the said article is a fact or fallacious. If you
watched “Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi”, the lead female character (Norma) wore the AFDB
mentioned.
Case Analysis:
As a judge handling the case below, what will be your verdict (referring to
responsible use of social media)? (https://bit.ly/3gaNQRi)
NBI arrests teacher for online post offering ₱50M for Duterte slay
By CNN Philippines Staff Published May 12,

2020 4:16:07 PM
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 12) — A public school teacher whose online post offered
a ₱50 million reward to anyone who would kill President Rodrigo Duterte is now under the
custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities on Tuesday said Ronnel Mas, 25, was arrested a day earlier in Barangay North
Poblacion, Sta. Cruz, Zambales after posting on Twitter that “I will give ₱50 Million reward kung
sino makakapatay kay Duterte (to anyone who can kill Duterte)."
The NBI said Officer-In-Charge Eric Distor immediately ordered its Dagupan District Office to
track down and arrest Mas, a social sciences teacher at Taltal National High School.
"Operatives of DADO then began to track subject MAS' whereabouts by tracing the links of the
comments on his post. After determining his possible location, operatives of DADO lost no time
and rushed to Barangay Poblacion North in Sta. Cruz, Zambales and coordinated with barangay
officials resulting in the arrest of [the] subject," the NBI said in a statement.
Mas was brought to the NBI head office in Manila where he is set to face inquest proceedings
for inciting to sedition in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and for violating the
Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.
Mas has since apologized for his tweet against the President, but Justice Secretary Menardo
Guevarra said this does not mean he can escape criminal responsibility.
"Apology is not one of the grounds for extinguishing criminal liability. I cannot feloniously injure
another and get away with it by merely saying 'sorry'," Guevarra said in a statement.
The NBI said it is "serious in carrying out its mandate to pursue cases involving threats to
security or assaults against the person of the President," as well as other government officials.
Chapter 9
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM
OBJECTIVES:

- discuss what GMO is;
- weigh the pros and cons in using GMO, and;
- list at least five applications of GMO.
INTRODUCTION:
Genetic engineering is the direct modification of an organism’s genome, which is the list
of specific traits (genes) stored in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA contains the blueprint of an
organism. Changing the genome enables genetic engineers to give desirable properties to
different organisms. Organisms created through genetic engineering are called genetically
modified organism (GMO) or transgenic organism.
Fig. 1. Chemical Structure of DNA (https://bit.ly/3bETSGV).
The first human manipulation of genes occurred with plant and animal domestication
which dates back as early as 12,000 B.C. Plant variety were chosen based on their high yield and
tolerance to different environmental condition. On the other hand, the amount of meat/fur and the
strength of an animal (ex. for travel and plowing of fields) are in consideration in choosing a certain
animal breed. On the process, selective breeding was established. According to Charles Darwin,
there are three types of selection: unconscious (selection of a character due to its desirability),
natural (trait that favors survival of an organism is carried to the next generation), and; methodical
(selection of pre-determined characteristics). Only the first two types were employed in both
domestication and selective breeding.
The methodical approach came to its prime in 1972 – the advancement in recombinant
DNA (rDNA) technology brought by Boyer and Cohen. Four years later, they established
Greentech, a company that utilizes rDNA technology. However, the first concept for rDNA
technology came from Werner Arber’s discovery of restriction enzymes in bacteria in the 1960s.
Restriction enzymes degrade foreign viral DNA molecules. They also play an important role in
this technology. The restriction enzyme will cut at a specific site within the DNA molecule called
a restriction site. Usually, the restriction enzyme will produce sticky ends in the DNA sequence
that will help it bind specifically to the desired gene.
Geneticists then learned to “cut” and “paste” DNA molecules. On the long run, they
discovered or invented novel restriction enzymes for cutting, and pasting thanks to Arber’s work.
Using this technology, the first drugs of medical biotechnology were produced, namely human
insulin (Humulin).
rDNA technology is an indispensable DNA-based tool in genetic engineering. With this

technology, a gene or multiple genes can be identified, cut, and inserted into the genome of
another organism. It relates to the usage of three main tools: (1) enzymes (restriction enzymes,
polymerases, and ligases); (2) vectors; and (3) host organism (ex. bacteria and other living
organisms).
Fig. 2. Three main tools in rDNA technology (https://bit.ly/3bETSGV).

The
enzymes will
help cut
(restriction
enzymes),
synthesize
(polymerases)
, and bind
(ligases) DNA.
Restriction is
of two types Fig. 3. Enzymatic action [synthesis part not shown] (https://bit.ly/2KyqbeU).
namely endonuclease and exonuclease. The former cuts within the DNA strand whereas the latter
cut the nucleotides from the ends of the DNA strands. Regardless of kind, they are sequence-
specific which is usually a palindrome that cut the DNA at specific points. They scrutinize the
length of DNA and make the cut at the specific site called the restriction site. This gives rise to
sticky ends in the sequence. The desired genes and the vectors are cut by the same restriction
enzymes to obtain the complementary sticky ends, thus making the work of the ligases easy to
bind the desired gene to the vector.
The vectors help in carrying
and integrating the desired gene.
These form a very important part of
the tools of recombinant DNA
technology as they are the ultimate
vehicles that carry forward the
desired gene into the host organism.
Plasmids and bacteriophages (or
phage) are the most common
vectors used as they have very high
copy number. Fig. 4. Phage and Plasmid (https://bit.ly/3eNisHT).
Plasmid is a small, extrachromosomal DNA molecule within a cell that is physically

separated from chromosomal DNA and can replicate independently (most commonly found as
small circular, double-stranded DNA molecules in bacteria; however, plasmids are sometimes
present in archaea and eukaryotes) whereas bacteriophages are types of viruses that infects a
specific bacterium.
The host organism

is the cell in which the
recombinant DNA is
introduced. To date, host
organisms include bacteria,
fungi, plant, and animal
cells. To introduce vectors
into hosts, techniques
involving microinjection,
biolistic, gene gun, alternate
cooling and heating, and
calcium phosphate ions
have been used. Fig. 5. Microinjection (https://bit.ly/3bFAdXJ).
The steps in rDNA technology are summarized on Figure 6 (steps 1 to 5).
Fig. 6. rDNA Technology (https://bit.ly/3aH4zrt).
The various application of rDNA technology is outlined in Figure 7.
Fig. 7. Applications of rDNA Technology (https://bit.ly/2KDvqKc).
GMOs in Food and Agricultural Industries
1. Pest resistance: made in order for farmers not to use chemicals (ex.
pesticides) for crop production.
Ex. Bt corn. A gene from Bacillus thuringiensis was added to the corn genome via
rDNA technology. Bt corn then produces toxins harmful on corn borers but poses no threat when
ingested by humans.
Fig. 8. Bt corn.
2. Virus resistance: mechanism

on how it works is similar with vaccines
administered on humans.
Ex. GM papaya (rainbow papaya).
Through tissue culture, the PRSV (papaya
ringspot virus) protein is introduced to
papaya tissue. The cultured papaya then
develops immunity throughout time giving
rise to rainbow papaya. PRSV is known to
be detrimental on papaya. Fig. 9. Papaya infested by PRSV.
3. Herbicide tolerance: spraying of herbicide only kills the weeds and not the plant.
Ex. Roundup Ready soybean. A bacterial gene CP4 EPSPS, tolerant to Roundup (an
herbicide containing glyphosate) was isolated and extracted from the
microbe and then inserted into a plasmid. Using particle gun bombardment and plant
transformation, scientists inserted the gene into the genome of the soybean (Glycine max).
Fig. 10. Roundup Ready soybean(https://bit.ly/2S3L85y)
4. Fortification: GM crops added with certain vitamins and/or minerals.

Ex. Golden rice. Vitamin A’s precursor, beta-carotene is introduced to rice genome
through biosynthesis. As you eat the rice, you also acquire a certain amount of Vitamin A.
Fig.11. Golden Rice.
5. Increase growth rate: yields higher growth rate in comparison to their non – GM
counterpart.
Ex. AquAdvantage salmon. It is an Atlantic salmon, added with growth hormones from
Chinook salmon, and a genetic “on switch” from another fish, the ocean pout. AquAdvantage
salmon consumes 25% less feeds than non-transgenic salmon and at the same time has ~20%
efficiency of converting what they’ve eat into flesh.
Fig. 12. AquAdvantage Salmon (https://bit.ly/3bQpw4k).
6. Cosmetic preservation: in order to prevent natural discoloration.
Ex. Arctic apple. Browning of apple due to oxidation is prevented since PPO
(polyphenol oxidase) is absent on this apple.
Fig. 13. Mechanism in Arctic Apple explained in terms of Molecular Level (https://bit.ly/3aKiygg).
GMOSs in Non-Food Crops and Microorganisms
1. Flower
production: for the
modification of floral
color and longer vase
life.
Ex. Blue
rose. Derived from
lilac or purple rose
whose anthocyanin
(gives the lilac or
purple appearance) Fig. 14. Pathway on Blue Pigment Synthesis (https://bit.ly/3bKy2SM).
biosynthetic pathway was diverted to produce delphinidin (for blue appearance) instead. This is
made possible by introducing a gene on lilac or purple rose’s cultivars.
2. Pharmaceutical production: plants are modified in order to produce pharmaceutical

products.
Ex. Periwinkle plants. Enhancing vinblastine (alkaloid on cancer treating drugs
such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma) production as bacterial genes is added to periwinkle added.
Fig. 15. Procedure in Vinblastine Extraction (https://bit.ly/35aCZBB).

3. Paper production: modification on a tree’s lignin synthesis resulting to higher yield of
paper production.
Ex. Poplar tree. A gene encoding for ferulic acid is introduced among young poplar
trees. Ferulic acid aids in the breaking down of lignin which is not needed in paper production.
4. Bioremediation: 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.
Ex. Alcanivorax. Type of bacteria that degrades oil and used in cleaning oil spills.
Fig. 16. Alcanivorax
5. Enzyme for food production: Enzymes

from genetically modified microorganisms play an
increasing role in food technology.
Ex. CGTase (cyclomaltodextrin
glycosyltransferase). Novel CGTase has been
isolated from a strain of Thermoanaerobacter, a
thermophilic anaerobic bacterium and was
transferred to another bacterium, Bacillus. This
allowed for larger production of CGTase in Fig. 17. CGTase production
commercially acceptable yields. This enzyme (https://bit.ly/2W40RTA)
is used as sweetness enhancers, flavor enhancers and sweeteners in foods, beverages, and
pharmaceuticals. In some cosmetics, CGTase is also used.
6. GMO and the medical field: genetic engineering plays a vital role in diagnosis and/or
treatment of human disease through drug production, gene therapy, and laboratory researchers.
Ex. Humulin. A genetically engineered insulin administered for those suffering
Type I diabetes (type of diabetes that is insulin – dependent since the body cannot create enough
insulin). Insulin is an enzyme that aids in glucose metabolism. At the same time, it regulates the
body’s blood glucose level. Before, insulin injected to such patients were derived from the
pancreas of cows and pigs wherein some diabetics developed allergic reactions upon use. In
contrast, Humulin is created by removing a bacterial plasmid and replacing it with human – insulin
producing gene.
Fig. 18. Human Insulin Production (https://bit.ly/3cTsRA5).
Based on the examples given, rDNA is the gold standard in GMO. However, there are
other ways on how to do genetic modifications as discussed in Figure 19.
Fig. 19. Ways on Genetic Modification (https://bit.ly/3bHq3po).
Potential Risks of GMOs
1. There are insufficient number of studies on GMO’s effect(s) on humans and/or the
environment since genetic engineering is still a young branch of science.
2. Genetic engineering induces mutation among GMOs in which its long-term effect is
still unknown.
3. Human consumption of GMOs might lead to:

a) more allergic reactions: GMO foods may trigger more allergic reactions – worse
create new ones as a result of gene alteration;
b) gene mutation: might result to undesired mutations that will eventually lead to
abnormalities which is far-fetched from the intended characteristic of the GMO;
c) antibiotic resistance: some GMOs are incorporated with antibiotic-resistant
genes: this may cause pathogenic bacteria to become antibiotic-resistant also. This poses the
threat of worldwide spread of diseases;
d) nutritional value: the natural nutrition content of a GMO food may change;
e) may have adverse effects since it is neither natural or organic;
f) may alter the balance of existing microorganisms in the digestive system, and;
g) toxins produced by some GMOs might be detrimental to one’s
health.
Other concerns that genetic engineering poses to humanity are as follows:
Human Genome Project (HGP) – mapping of human genes through HGP

also aims to produce “designer drug” based on an individual’s genome. This is viewed as an
efficient way of treating disease. However, the ability of having an individual’s genome readily
available would create biases and will give superiority to those holding such information.
Cloning – cloning occurs naturally since it is an asexual mode of reproduction among

certain organism. Also, in genetic engineering, we have the so-called DNA cloning wherein
thousands, and even millions of DNA (sequence) are produced through PCR (polymerase chain
reaction). The issue of humans “playing God” emerged when the first mammal, Dolly the sheep
was cloned in 1997. This opens the possibility that humans can be cloned too. To date, there are
no scientifically proven researchers and publications regarding human cloning since doing such
raises many ethical issues.
GMOs also threatens the environment either directly or indirectly. Direct risks include:
- possibility of unexpected behavior of GMOs if it deviates from its intended use.

This might lead to the emergence of new pest. Unexpected behavior includes the emergence of
new forms of resistance, secondary pests, and weed problems since GMO pesticide-resistant
crops may trigger their pests to be resilient as well in the long run, especially when such chemicals
are overused (ex. herbicide and weed);
- recombination of virus and bacteria resulting to a new pathogen: the modified
gene can be integrated and/or transferred to the vector (ex. bacteria and virus) which can cause
mutation on their genome. The living bacteria or virus may then bring forth new disease that can
also harm humans;
- introduction of GMOs may cause disruption in the natural environment through
competition or interference;
- may bring forth harmful effects to the ecosystem if GMOs interfere with the
natural ecological and biochemical processes, and;
- persistence of GMO genes after harvesting may cause negative impacts to the
consumer.
Under indirect risks, we have:
- Risk in gene flow: the modified gene from a GM crop has the potential risk to
be transferred from other plants (or the same crop but another variety, ex. wild type),
microorganisms, and even to the human intestine (when consumed). Although there are no
studies at present to back such claim, the ability of bacteria and fungi to integrate the genetic
materials from their surroundings to their genome is a given fact (ex. there is no guarantee that
once a GM crop dies, its genetic material will vanish 100% as well. Even an ample amount of its
genetic material can be used by fungi and soil-thriving bacteria). Also, this poses a threat that the
wild type variety will be eradicated.
- change and/or modification in agricultural practices. This include the
- management of GMOs’ negative impact to the ecosystem (ex. evolution of
pests and weeds that became tolerant with GM crops. Also, the GMOs effect to the natural
environment once it is introduced) and impacts on biodiversity.
Biosafety on GMOs
Convention of Biological Diversity/CBD (1992) – although most of the measures outlined

in the CBD tend to protect species in an indirect way by focusing on the conservation of
ecosystems, it addresses biosafety on two articles, as stated:
Article 8(g):
“requires each Party* “…to manage or control the risks associated
with the use and release of living modified organisms resulting from
biotechnology which are likely to have adverse environmental
impacts that could affect the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity”.”
*those who agreed on the convention
Article 19(3):
“the need for a biosafety protocol which now provides the basis for
international measures related to the trade in LMOs. Whether it
ratifies or accedes to the Protocol or not, a CBD Party must still fulfill
its obligations to implement CBD Article 8(g). In addition, where it
does not ratify or accede to the protocol, a CBD Party still needs to
implement CBD Article 19(4).
Article 19(4):
“creation of a bilateral obligation for a CBD party to provide
information on the use and handling of LMOs prior to providing such
organisms to another CBD party. Such information includes (1) any
available information on the regulatory measures taken by the
exporting CBD Party and (2) any available information on the
“potential adverse impact” of a particular LMO.
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety [CPB] (2000) – establishes rules and procedures for the
safe handling, transfer, and use of LMOs (living modified organisms). It focuses on the
transboundary movement of LMOs destined for introduction into the environment and those
intended for use directly as food, feed or for processing. It also seeks to protect biological diversity
and considering human health from the potential risks posed by LMOs resulting from modern
biotechnology (CBD’s Article 8(g)).
Codex Alimentarius Commission (2003) – specifically the Codex Principles for the Risk
Analysis of Foods Derived from Modern Biotechnology which provides an overarching framework
for undertaking risk analysis of the safety and nutritional aspects of foods derived from
biotechnology (food safety assessment on: (a) foods derived from rDNA plants, and (b) foods
produced using rDNA microorganisms).
International Development in Labeling of GM Foods – varies among different countries

and areas. However, they commonly categorize the labeling as either voluntary or mandatory.
For the former, a GM food will be labeled if it is significantly different from its conventional
counterpart, in terms of composition, nutritional value and allergenicity; the latter which is further
classified into two: pan-labeling (required if any food products, which contain GM materials
exceeds a threshold level or have any significantly different characteristics as a result of genetic
modification), and labeling for designated products only (the ones that needs labeling are those
designated products that were genetically modified).
GMOs in the Philippine Context
1990 – National Committee on Biosafety in the Philippines (NCBP) was established

through E.O. No. 43, s. 1990.
1998 – guidelines for the planned release of GMO and potentially harmful exotic species
were developed by NCBP.
2002 – DA (Department of Agriculture) through A.O. No. 8, s. 2002 made the guidelines
involving the importation of GM plant products and release of GM plants.
- start of GMO importation
- the country was the first in southeast Asia to approve the commercial
cultivation of GMO (GM corn).
2004 – the country was classified as one of the 14 biotech-mega countries

by the International Service for Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications. This was based on the
criterion of growing 50,000 hectares or more of GM crops.
- former senator Juan Flavier (+) filed a bill on the labeling of food
and food product which was later junked by the Senate.
2005 – a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Negros Occidental and Oriental
supporting organic agriculture was promulgated through provincial ordinance. This made the
provinces free from GMOs.
2006 – Philippines became a part of the CPB.

- National Biosafety Framework (NBF) came to existence under E.O. No. 514,
s. 2006 that aims to meet the standards set forth by the CPB.
2010 – the encouragement of organic agriculture over GMO-related agriculture was
enforced via the Organic Agriculture Act.
- Davao City had their own Organic Agriculture Ordinance which
prevented UP Mindanao in Bt eggplants’ field testing.
2012 – Representative Teddy Casiňo and other members of the congress pushed a bill
regarding the mandatory labeling of GM food and food products. This did not materialize.
2015 – the Supreme Court:

- ended the field testing of Bt eggplant, and;
- declared A.O. No. 8, s. 2002 as null and void.
- until a new A.O. is issued, actions and procedures related to GMO importations
and propagation will be put on hold.
2016 – Joint Department Circular No. 1 series of 2016 was put forth by the following
Departments: Science and Technology (DOST), Agriculture (DA), Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), Health (DOH), and Interior and Local Government (DILG). The said circular
established rules and regulations for the research and development, handling and use,
transboundary movement, release in the environment, and management of GM plants, as well as
their products as a product of modern biotechnology.
- paved the way in the issuance of new permits for planting and importing GM
crops.
Since 2002, 70 GMO applications (62 for food and feed processing and 8 for propagation)
were approved by DA. Also, the way on how the government deals with GMOs and their
derivatives is not that good. Through the enactment of a Republic Act such inadequacy can be
addressed.
Brain Teaser:
_________________ 1. Indispensable tool/method in genetic engineering.
_________________ 2. Another term for GMO (genetically modified organism).
_________________ 3. Specific enzyme that binds DNA segments.
_________________ 4. Used in transferring the genetically altered DNA to the target organism.
_________________ 5. Gene inserted to soybean that makes it transgenic counterpart herbicide

tolerant.
_________________ 6. Enzyme in Arctic apple that prevents it from oxidizing when sliced.
_________________ 7. Oil – eating bacteria discussed.
_________________ 8. Specific disease treated with Humulin.
_________________ 9. Politicians in the Philippines who advocated for labelling of GM-based

products.
_________________ 10. Establishes rules and procedures for the safe handling, transfer, and
use of LMOs (living modified organisms).
In your personal stand, are you pro or against the use of GMOs in the Philippines? Provide
three to five arguments to back up your claim.
Assessment Task:
List at least ten (10) GMOs approved in the Philippines and their characteristics.
Case Analysis:
Among the food approved GM crops (as of 2019) are rice (Golden Rice) and corn (Bt
corn). Based on the article below (https://bit.ly/2AO3txQ), as a farmer, will you support IRRI on its
endeavor of having Golden Rice in our rice fields?
Philippines Approves GMO Rice to Fight Malnutrition
By Steve Baragona December 19, 2019 03:55 PM
A breed of rice genetically engineered to combat vitamin A deficiency has received approval from
regulators in the Philippines.
Supporters say "Golden Rice" could remedy a condition that kills up to 250,000 children each
year worldwide and blinds twice that number, according to the World Health Organization.
It's the first genetically modified organism (GMO) designed to fight a public health issue to get a
green light from food safety officials in the developing world.
Golden Rice has faced vigorous opposition from GMO opponents throughout its development,
citing safety concerns and other issues. Protesters destroyed test fields in the Philippines in 2013.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry announced Wednesday that
Golden Rice is as safe as conventional rice. Regulators in the United States, Canada, Australia
and New Zealand have also cleared the grain of safety issues.
After 20 years of development, "it feels absolutely tremendous" to reach this stage, said Adrian
Dubock, Executive Secretary of the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board, the nonprofit working to
take the crop from the lab to the field.
Two added genes turn rice golden, one from maize and one from a soil bacterium. Under their
direction, rice grains produce beta carotene, the vitamin A precursor that makes carrots and sweet
potatoes orange. A third bacterial gene serves as a traceable marker.
In the Philippines, vitamin A deficiency among children has increased from 15.2% in 2008 to
20.4% in 2013, despite a national supplement program, according to the Philippines-based
International Rice Research Institute, which is developing the crop.
Golden Rice could provide up to half of a young child's daily needs, IRRI says.
Controversial crop
Biotech boosters have presented Golden Rice as one of the best examples of what biotechnology
can do, producing plants and animals that benefit humanity faster than conventional breeding
can.
Opponents have said the crops raise unknown risks, though the scientific consensus is that GMO
varieties on the market today are safe, including Golden Rice.
GMO critics are also wary that the for-profit corporations that have developed GMOs will have
undue influence over the seed supply.
Agricultural biotech company Syngenta previously owned key patents for Golden Rice but has
donated them to the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board. Dubock said Golden Rice strains are for
use only by public and nonprofit crop breeding programs and would not cost farmers any more
than conventional rice.
Dietary solution
Critics say the considerable time, effort and money spent on developing Golden Rice would have
been better spent pursuing efforts to diversify the diets of the people who suffer from malnutrition.
"There are very limited funds available for development in third-world countries. It really matters
which route you choose to go, where you choose to put your funds," said Bill Freese, science
policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety.
Programs that get more fruits and vegetables into the diets of low-income people would help
alleviate several chronic ailments, not just vitamin A deficiency, he noted.
Dubock agrees that "a diversified diet is the best solution," he said. But he added that Golden
Rice is a tool that works with how people are already eating.
It's not clear when Philippine farmers will be able to grow Golden Rice. Regulators still have to
certify that the crop won't cause problems in farmers' fields. IRRI says it will submit its application
early next year.
Chapter 10
MODERN THERAPEUTIC APPROACH
OBJECTIVES:

- differentiate gene therapy and stem cell therapy;
- list at least three diseases that are currently curable with these therapies.
INTRODUCTION:
Cell and gene therapy, represent overlapping fields of biomedical research with similar
therapeutic goals, which target DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid) inside or
outside the body. Both approaches seek to modify genetic material to improve functioning or fight
disease. Specifically, gene therapy uses genetic material, or DNA, to manipulate a patient’s cells.
On the other hand, cell therapy is the infusion or transplantation of whole cells into a patient. Both
procedures have a common goal – to treat an inherited or acquired disease.
There are several types of cell therapy however, it will be limited to stem cell on this
module. Gene and stem cell therapies are promising since they have the potential to treat a wide
variety of acquired and inherited (human) diseases. Identification of genes involved in human
disease and development of novel vectors and devices for therapeutic genes delivery in vivo to
different tissues resulted in the progress of gene therapy. Isolation of stem cells from organs
previously thought that do not have regenerative potential, stem cell plasticity, and the processing
of embryonic stem cells are the marvels of stem cell therapy. Of equal importance, the ethical
issues surrounding these types of therapies must be addressed.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy typically involves the insertion of a functioning gene into cells to correct a
cellular dysfunction or to provide a new cellular function. For instance, diseases such as cystic
fibrosis, combined immunodeficiency syndromes, muscular dystrophy, hemophilia, and many
cancers result from the presence of defective genes. Gene therapy can be used to correct or
replace the defective genes responsible. Gene therapy is promising in treating arthritis, cystic
fibrosis, diabetic neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, and certain types of cancer (ex. oral squamous
cell carcinoma). ATTR (amyloid transthyretin), Leber’s congenital amaurosis (LCA), and cancer
such as prostate cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and large B-cell lymphoma (both
diffused and relapsed) are proven to be treatable with the use of gene therapy.
The goal of gene therapy is to

transfer the DNA of interest into cells,
thereby allowing the DNA to be
synthesized in these cells and its
proteins (termed recombinant protein)
expressed. Recombinant DNA (rDNA)
technology makes this possible, as
what was discussed in Chapter 9.
Gene therapy may involve (1)

supplying or increasing the expression
of a mutant gene that is insufficiently
expressed (e.g., to treat enzymatic
deficiencies); (2) blocking a gene that
is detrimental (e.g., using antisense
constructs to inhibit tumor
proliferation); or (3) adding a foreign
Fig. 1. In vivo and Ex vivo Approach in Gene
Therapy (https://bit.ly/3apTevD).
gene to treat a situation beyond the capability of the normal genome (e.g., introduce an enzyme
into a cell or tissue that allows the tissue to become more sensitive to the effects of a
pharmacologic agent) with a device to the target organ. There are two approaches in gene
therapy: in vivo and ex vivo. The concept is summarized on Figure 1. In vivo approach delivers
the desired gene/sdirectly to the patient. The gene is packaged in a vector (ex. plasmid or certain
types of virus).
In Figure 1, the vector is a plasmid, catheter as the device, and the liver as target organ.
Ex vivo on the other hand harvests cells or genes from the tissue of interest (may be derived from
other person), transducing them with the desired gene in vitro. The genetically altered cells or
genes is then readministered to the patient. In vitro gene transduction may be mediated by the
same vectors used in in vivo gene transduction.
Different Approaches to Gene Therapy
The various approaches can be done by a genetic technique known as CRISPR (clustered
regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats). It is a genetic engineering tool that uses a
CRISPR sequence of DNA and its associated protein to edit the base pairs of a gene. The said
sequence is obtained from DNA fragments of bacteriophages that had previously infected a
prokaryote (ex. bacteria). Listed below are the different approaches in gene therapy:
1. Gene augmentation or addition – a faulty gene is replaced by a normal working version

to take over its functions.
2. Gene inhibition – a gene is introduced in order to shut down a faulty gene that causes
harm to the organism.
3. Targeted gene mutation – correcting the defects through repairing the faulty gene
4. Killing of disease cells – genes which cause the production of a toxin can be targeted
into diseased cells such as cancer cells or cells infected with a virus. Once inside the cell, the
toxin produced by the gene kills the diseased cell.
5. Targeting the immune system to kill disease cells – a gene which causes the production
of a protein recognized as foreign by the patient’s immune system is targeted into diseased cells
such as cancer cells. The patient’s immune system then attacks and kills the cells.
Fig. 2. CRISPR or Cas9 Technique (https://www.zeclinics.com/crispr-cas9/).
Classification of Gene Therapy
1. Somatic (cell) gene therapy involves the genetic modification of any cells in a patient’s
body, except for the reproductive cells (egg and sperm). The intention is to confine changes to
the individual being treated and the parts of the body where the illness is experienced (ex. lungs
with cystic fibrosis). The genetic alteration will not be handed down to the next generation.
A variation of somatic gene therapy is “in utero”, where a fetus is modified within the
womb or, in the case of embryos, in a test tube (in vitro). However, gene therapy on the somatic
cells of a fetus or embryo carries a significant danger of inadvertently affecting the reproductive
cells of the baby and hence becoming germ line gene therapy “by default”. In utero was already
done with sheep and other primates, excluding humans due to ethical concerns.
2. Germ line gene therapy involves genetically modifying a fertilized egg and therefore will
affect not only the individual that develops from it, but also their offspring and successive
generations. Because no actual therapy of an individual is involved, it is more accurately called
germ line gene transfer. Although germ line genetic modification of plants and animals is now a
commonplace, germ line genetic modification of humans is a taboo. This is in line with an existing
world-wide consensus that such techniques should not be allowed because of the serious ethical
and health implications of modifying the human germ line.
Types of Gene Therapy and the Diseases They Cure
1. Dendritic Cell-Based Vaccine: Provenge, a vaccine for the treatment of prostate cancer
from Dendreon Pharmaceuticals uses active cellular immunotherapy (ACI) technology and
specifically stimulates the destruction of cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. It
consists of a mixture of the patient's own blood cells (specifically T cells) that have been incubated
with the Dendreon PAP-GM-CSF fusion protein.
Fig. 3. Provenge as a Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine.
2. A gene therapy for LCA (a type of retinal dystrophy), an inherited form of vision loss that
leads to vision impairment and may result in blindness. The adeno-associated virus vector-based
(AAV) gene therapy is a one-time treatment that targets a disease caused by mutations in CHM
gene.
Fig. 4. Gene Therapy for LCA (http://dailym.ai/2Ktc9Ls).
3. RNA interference: A
treatment for hereditary ATTR (amyloid
transthyretin amyloidosis), a
progressive condition characterized by
abnormal deposits of amyloid in the
body’s organs and tissues. It is designed
to target and silence specific messenger
RNA to block the production of TTR
(transthyretin) in the liver and reduce the
accumulation of TTR in the body, in
order to halt or slow down progress of
the disease.
Fig. 5. RNA interference.
4. CAR – T cell (chimeric antigen receptor – T cell) immunotherapy: the patient’s own T-
cells (type of lymphocyte that plays a role in immune response) are genetically modified and are
reintroduced back into their blood, where the cells can bind to the targeted cancer cells and
destroy them while minimizing the effect on other non-cancerous cells. CD19 is a biomarker
present in high numbers in ALL and large B-cell lymphoma (both diffused and relapsed). The said
approach can treat the cancers mentioned where CD – 19 (present in cancer cells) is eradicated.
Fig. 6. CAR – T cell immunotherapy (https://bit.ly/2RWC9mE).
Stem Cells
Stem cells are unspecialized cells of the human body. They are able to differentiate into
any cell of an organism and have the ability of self-renewal. In many tissues they serve as a sort
of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the
person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to
remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a
muscle cell, a red blood cell, or neuron.
Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics. First,
they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes
after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they
can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. In some organs,
such as the gut and bone marrow, stem cells regularly divide to repair and replace worn out or
damaged tissues. In other organs, however, such as the pancreas and the heart, stem cells only
divide under special conditions. Until recently, scientists primarily worked with two kinds of stem
cells from animals and humans: embryonic stem cells and non- embryonic “somatic” or “adult”
stem cells. Scientists discovered ways to derive embryonic stem cells from early mouse embryos
in 1981.
The detailed study of the biology of
mouse stem cells led to the discovery of a
method to derive stem cells from human embryos
and grow the cells in the laboratory in 1998.
These cells are called human embryonic stem
cells. The embryos used in these studies were
created for reproductive purposes (which later
had other uses which faced ethical concerns)
through in vitro fertilization procedures. When
they were no longer needed for that purpose,
they were donated for research with the informed
consent of the donor. In 2006, researchers made
another breakthrough by identifying conditions
that would allow some specialized adult cells to
become a new type of stem cell, known as
induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs). They are
genetically “reprogrammed” to assume a stem
cell-like state. Fig. 7. IVF and Culturing of PSCs.
Potency of Stem Cells
Totipotent stem cells are able to divide and differentiate into cells of the whole organism.
Totipotency has the highest differentiation potential and allows cells to form both embryo (ex.
ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm (germ layers) that arises from it) and extra-embryonic
structures (ex. placenta). One example of a totipotent cell is a zygote. After approximately four
days, the blastocyst’s inner cell mass becomes pluripotent.
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) form cells of all germ layers, but does not give rise to extra-
embryonic structures. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are an example. ESCs are derived from the
inner cell mass of preimplantation embryos. Another example is induced pluripotent stem cells
(iPSCs) derived from the epiblast layer of implanted embryos. The pluripotency of ESCs and
iPSCs continues until its potency diminishes. Examples of such will be tackled on the succeeding
paragraphs.
Multipotent stem cells have a narrower spectrum of differentiation than PSCs, but they
can specialize in discrete cells of specific cell lineages. One example is a hematopoietic stem cell,
which can develop into several types of blood cells. After differentiation, a hematopoietic stem
cell becomes an oligopotent stem cell. Its differentiation abilities are then restricted to cells of its
lineage.
Oligopotent stem cells can differentiate into several cell types. A myeloid stem cell is an
example that can divide into white blood cells but not red blood cells.
Unipotent stem cells are characterized by the narrowest differentiation capabilities and a
special property of dividing repeatedly. Their latter feature makes them a promising candidate for
therapeutic use in regenerative medicine. These cells are only able to form one cell type (ex.
RBC, WBC, platelets).
Embryonic and Somatic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are obtained from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, a
mainly hollow ball of cells that forms three to five days after an egg cell is fertilized by a sperm. A
human blastocyst is about the size of the dot above this “i”. After that, these cells are placed in a
culture or petri dish filled with culture medium and retains the pluripotency of the ESCs were it
was derived from. There have been ethical restrictions connected to the medical use of ESCs in
therapies. Most embryonic stem cells are developed from eggs that have been fertilized in an in
Fig. 8. Stem Cells Based on Potency.
vitro clinic, not from eggs fertilized in vivo.
Somatic or adult stem cells (Fig. 10) are undifferentiated

and found among differentiated cells in the whole body after
development. The function of these cells is to enable the healing,
growth, and replacement of cells that are lost each day. These
cells have a restricted range of differentiation options. Among the
many types, these are the following:
Mesenchymal stem cells are found in many

tissues. In bone marrow, these cells differentiate mainly into the
bone, cartilage, and fat cells. This type of stem cell is unique
because they are pluripotent and can specialize in the cells of any
Fig. 9. ESCs. germ layer.
Neural cells give rise to nerve cells and their supporting cells – oligodendrocytes and
astrocytes.
Hematopoietic stem cells form all kinds of blood cells: red, white, and platelets.
Skin stem cells form, for example, keratinocytes, which forms the protective layer of our
skin.
The proliferation time of somatic stem cells is longer than that of ESCs. It is possible to
reprogram adult stem cells back to their pluripotent state, giving rise to iPSCs (Figure 8). This can
be performed by transferring the adult nucleus into the cytoplasm of an oocyte (SCNT) or by
fusion with the pluripotent cell (IVF) as depicted in Figure 11.
Fig. 10. Somatic Stem Cell.
Fig. 11. IVF, SCNT and Adult Stem Cell Therapy.
Diseases/Disorders Cured by Stem Cells
1. Sickle cell diseases

(SCDs). The only known cure for
SCDs is through bone marrow
transplant. Aside from this, bone
marrow transplant is also used in
treating a variety of cancers
(leukemia), immune system
diseases, and blood diseases.
SCDs is a group of disorders that
affects hemoglobin, the molecule
in red blood cells that delivers
oxygen to cells throughout the
body. People with this disorder
have atypical hemoglobin
molecules called hemoglobin S,
which can distort red blood cells
into a sickle, or crescent, shape. Fig. 12. Bone Marrow Transplant (https://bit.ly/2S4ndTJ).
The most common example of SCD is sickle cell anemia.
To prepare for bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy is given to weaken or destroy the
patient’s own bone marrow, stem cells, and infection-fighting system.
The patient’s bone marrow then is replaced with blood-forming stem cells from a donor
who doesn’t have sickle cell disease. The new bone marrow then produces red blood cells that
are healthy since they do not contain a lot of hemoglobin S.
2. Burned skin. Using the Skin Cell Gun developed by Jorg Gerlach, this gun utilizes stem
cells from the burnt patient. It is then placed into a liquid-like solution and sprayed onto the burned
area. The burnt skin heals without the need to undergo skin grafting.
3. Spinal cord injury (SCI).

Leading on this innovation is the
Stem Cell Institute wherein the adult
stem cells they use are derived from
human umbilical cord tissue (HUCT)
mesenchymal cells. Umbilical cord,
the source of HUCT is obtained via
donation of mothers who underwent
normal, healthy births.
The advantage of using

HUCT in this type of injury includes:
- immune system privileged

since cell rejection is not an issue and
there is no need for HLA (human Fig. 13. Non – HUCT Approach in Treating SCI
leukocyte antigen) matching; (https://bit.ly/3ayQ74B).
- can be administered multiple times
over the course of days in uniform cell dosage
containing high cell count;
- provides an abundant source of
mesenchymal stem cells;
- more robust source of mesenchymal
stem cells in comparison to other sources,
and;
- chemotherapy drug that induces
production of bone marrow stem cells is not
needed.
However, other sources of stem cells

like the bone marrow can be used in treating
this SCI as shown in Figure 13.
4. Heart disease. Stem cell therapy for

treatment of myocardial infarction usually
makes use of autologous bone marrow stem
cells (a specific type or all). However, other
types of adult stem cells may be used, such
as adipose-derived stem cells. The Fig. 14. Mending a Broken Heart
mechanisms that help in the recovery includes (https://bit.ly/2x7ZN8H).
generation of heart muscle cells, stimulate the growth of new blood vessels to repopulate
damaged heart tissues, secretion of growth factors, and assistance with the use of other
mechanisms (Fig. 14).
Other diseases and disorders that are sought to be cured by stem cells in the future (where
some of them are undergoing clinical trials as of the moment) includes: Parkinson’s and
Alzheimer’s disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), multiple sclerosis, stroke, liver
disease, diabetes, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy to name a few.
Ethics of Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy*
The concept of changing a person's DNA, even to cure a fatal genetic disease, differs from
more traditional remedies like surgery, pharmaceuticals, and physical therapy, and it is frightening
to some people. Successful treatment approaches are available for a handful of single-gene
disorders, most of which are enzyme deficiencies, including Gaucher's disease (a lysosomal
storage disorder) and phenylketonuria (phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiency or PKU).
Despite such potential benefits, many people oppose gene therapy on religious grounds,
believing that altering genetic material is against God's will. This argument appears to hold the
most sway because it raises the specter of "playing God". Table 1 lists some other frequently
debated topics related to the inclusion of gene therapy in mainstream medical treatment. Many of
these questions can be applied to any type of human research.
Table 1. Topics of Discussion in Gene Therapy Ethics
On the other hand, treatments using adult stem cells are rarely debatable. As a matter of
fact, bone marrow transplants have become so familiar as a cancer treatment that many people
may not fully grasp the concept that stem cells are being used. In contrast, ESC technology has
produced a firestorm of controversy, as outlined in Table 2. Arguments against ESC-based
therapies arise from the belief that life/consciousness starts at the moment of conception or within
the first six days after conception, as well as from concern regarding the source of the embryonic
cells.
Table 2: Arguments For and Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research
*Adapted and adopted from: https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/controversies-in-treatment-approaches-gene-therapy-ivf-

792/.
Brain Teaser:
_________________ 1. Modern day therapy that transfers DNA or RNA to a patient.
_________________ 2. Stem cell that has the highest potency of them all.
_________________ 3. Bone marrow is a specific type of ______________ SC.
_________________ 4. Method in producing iPSC by fusing a cell with a pluripotent SC.
_________________ 5. SC approach in treating burnt skin.
_________________ 6. A special type of gene therapy wherein a fetus is modified within the
womb or, in the case of embryos, in a test tube.
_________________ 7. Gene therapy that cures prostate cancer.
_________________ 8. Gene therapy used in treating LCA (Leber’s congenital amaurosis).
_________________ 9. Gene therapy approach wherein a faulty gene is replaced by a normal

working version to take over its functions.
_________________ 10. Gene therapy where the results can be passed from one generation to
the next.
In your personal stand, are you pro or against:

a) Germ line gene therapy, and;
b) ESC therapy?
Provide three to five arguments to back up your claim.
Assessment Task:
Research on the progress of Gene and Stem Cell Therapy in the Philippines. Share your
findings with your classmates.
Case Analysis:
In what cases can stem cell (therapy) can be considered as hype or hope
(https://bit.ly/2WTGrhG)?
Stem cell therapy – hype or hope?

Grace Beltran, M.D. (Philippine Star) December 3, 2019
Ever since I was introduced to stem cells, my excitement has been growing more intense. In my
relentless pursuit of finding alternative treatments for my patients, I cannot help but dig deeper
into the realms of what seemed impossible before. And my passion for learning more about these
regenerative processes is what keeps me going in the practice of medicine. So, I was so delighted
to learn about it when a doctor friend introduced me to it.
I could not contain my anticipation; that is why I went to learn more about it by visiting the country
where it was developed, enhanced, improved and studied better.
Regenerative medicine is the process of creating living, functional tissues to repair or replace
tissue or organ function lost due to age, disease, damage or congenital defects. It holds the
promise of restoring damaged tissues and organs by stimulating them to heal by themselves. And
there are tools used to realize these outcomes, such as tissue engineering, cellular therapies,
medical devices and artificial organs.
A combination of these approaches can amplify our natural healing process in places where it is
needed most, or take over the function of a permanently damaged organ.
When injured or invaded by disease, our bodies’ inherent response is to heal and defend
itself. What then if it was possible to harness the power of the body to heal and then accelerate
it in a clinically relevant way?
Well, regenerative medicine is a promising field working to restore the structure and function of
damaged tissues and organs by helping our body heal better. Its aim is to find a way to cure
previously untreatable injuries and diseases.
Singapore, in partnership with a prestigious medical university from another country, is working
to build the research around human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSC). These collaborations gave
birth to a stem cell that has the potential to treat and prevent diseases, induce medical anti-aging,
recovery after surgery, and more. This particular stem cell has a long history to it, with over 50
years of research and development in Russia and over 7,000 treatments undertaken.
In addition, many treatments have been accomplished overseas. Currently, these products are
cultured using an advanced culture technology and patent manufacturing. Only one in 100,000
cells in bone marrow fluid are discovered and extracted, making mesenchymal stem cells derived
from bone marrow quite rare. These cells are extracted by using advanced biotechnology and
successfully proliferated using patent culture technology.
The highest number of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells is found in the human body at birth.
However, the number decreases with age, from 100 percent at birth to 10 percent during the
teenage years, four percent for those in their 30s, 2.5 percent for those in their 50s and 0.5 percent
for those in their 80s.
This HMSC is a multi-potent stem cell that can supplement stem cells in the aging body and
regenerate cells and organs. They are obtained and cultured from young, healthy donors in their
20s. In addition, it has CD34 marker that eliminates the risk of transferring any disease from a
donor, unlike the stem cell from Germany, which uses sheep’s stem cells and therefore can
transmit diseases from sheep. The culture fluid used in the HMSC is approved by the American
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Good Manufacturing Practice. Thus, exhibiting that
cultivation is carried out in a process conforming to international standards of practice.
Once the HMSCs reach an injury site, they must cooperate closely with various types of stromal
and inflammatory cells in order to repair damage and promote regeneration. This is achieved
through a form of cell-to-cell communication (Paracrine signaling), in which a cell produces a
signal molecule to induce in nearby cells, altering the behavior of those cells.
HMSCs also have the ability to activate the body’s own cells to assist in reducing inflammation
and thus facilitate healing.
End result: HSMCs can change quality of life, improve overall health, rejuvenate the body and
have a revitalizing effect. Plus, it can help people with cardiovascular disease, kidney disease,
diseases related to nerve, diabetes, liver disease, and those with orthopedic problems.
It is also being used to treat chronic diseases, allergies, eye diseases, and as an anti-aging and
beauty treatment at the same time. A package consists of one injection containing 200 million
HSMC treated stem cells.
Chapter 11
CLIMATE CHANGE
OBJECTIVES:

- discuss what climate change is;
- construct a Venn diagram about climate change and global warming.
INTRODUCTION:
In the period since the Industrial Revolution, human emissions of greenhouse gases
(GHG) from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation and agricultural practices have led to global
warming and climate change. Observed and anticipated changes in the climate include higher
temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, changes in the frequency and distribution of weather
events such as droughts, storms, floods and heat waves, sea level rise and consequent impacts
on human and natural systems. Many scientists argue that the impacts of climate change will be
devastating for natural and human systems and that climate change poses an existential threat
to human civilization. However, action to respond to climate change has been slow. Climate
change draws attention to the relationship between science and society, challenges global
governance institutions, and triggers new social movements.
The foundation for the modern scientific view of climate change emerged during the 19th
century when evidence of past glaciation led to the realization that the Earth’s climate was not
stable and had changed substantially over time. Recognition of natural climate change paved the
way for the idea that humans could also alter climate. In 1896, the chemist Svante Arrhenius
proposed that human emissions of carbon dioxide would strengthen the natural greenhouse
effect, thereby raising the Earth’s temperature. However, it was not until the 1960s and 1970s
that the idea of anthropogenic climate change began to gain scientific momentum, coinciding with
the emergence of environmentalism.
In the 1980s, global warming became a dominant scientific opinion. Global warming
occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) and other air pollutants and GHG collect in the atmosphere
and absorb sunlight and solar radiation that have bounced off the earth’s surface. Normally, this
radiation would escape into space—but these pollutants, which can last for years to centuries in
the atmosphere, trap the heat and cause the planet to get hotter, thus the greenhouse effect.
1988 marked the beginning of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
which was founded by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological
Organization. IPCC was created to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on
climate change, its implications and potential risks, as well as to put up adaptation and mitigation
options. On the same year, the first major intergovernmental conference on climate change took
place in Toronto, Canada. The conference aims to reduce 20 % of GHG emission by 2005.
The Montreal Protocol emerged in 1989 and was initially ratified by 20 countries. At
present, it has 197 participating countries. This protocol aims to phase out substances that harm
the stratospheric ozone layer.
In 1992, the Rio Earth Summit adopted the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC). UNFCCC is an international treaty ratified by 195 countries
(including the Philippines) took effect in 1994. It aims to stabilize GHG concentrations in the
atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous human interference with the climate system.
The Kyoto Protocol was the first attempt to introduce binding emission reduction
commitments (for developed countries only) adopted by Parties of UNFCCC in 1997. It added up
to a 5% reduction in emissions from the year 1990 to 2012. However, it only took effect in 2005
due to objections from some member Parties, including the United States who did not recognize
the protocol. Attention subsequently turned to the negotiation of a treaty that would include the
United States and major developing economies.
In 2010, member Parties agreed to limit average global warming to no more than 2 OC.
Many scientists argue that this is the maximum safe level of climate change to which societies
can successfully adapt. Others suggest that negotiations should move from the UNFCCC to a
more manageable setting, such as the G20, where fewer countries would need to reach
agreement.
IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report or AR5 released in 2014 (the latest as of the moment
since AR6’s time frame is set to end on 2022) states that warming of the climate system is
unequivocal, that the atmosphere and ocean have warmed, snow and ice have melted, sea level
has risen and greenhouse gas concentrations have increased. The report finds that the largest
contributor to observed warming is the increase in CO2 in the atmosphere and that it is “extremely
likely” that human influence has been the dominant cause of this warming since the mid-20th
century. These changes, and projected future changes, pose risks to humans and natural systems
that could be catastrophic if unchecked. Key reasons for concern include: threats to unique
ecosystems and cultures; increased incidence of extreme weather events; disproportionate
impacts on disadvantaged communities; global aggregate impacts on biodiversity and the
economy; and the risk of large-scale singular events such as ice sheet loss.
Fig. 1. Mitigation Fig. 2. Adaptation

A bitter reality is that we cannot stop climate change from happening. However, there are
two things that can be done as stated by climate scientists,
namely adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation is a process of adjustment to climate change, in
which humans take action to moderate or avoid negative impacts, and exploit beneficial
opportunities. This could involve shifting to crops that thrive in the modified climate conditions, or
building coastal defenses to protect against sea level rise. The other option is mitigation, or
reduction in human emissions of GHG to reduce the extent of climate change. Human GHG
emissions come primarily from combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, and agricultural practices.
Mitigation means replacing fossil fuels with renewable or low-emission alternatives, protecting
and planting forests, and shifting agricultural practices. The challenge is that costs are incurred in
moving from the current techno-economic system to low- or zero-emission alternatives (Figures
1 and 2).
In a nutshell, mitigation is comprised of actions to curb and reduce the cause of climate
change – GHG emissions whereas adaptation are actions to reduce vulnerability and impact of
climate change to the society.
WEATHER, CLIMATE, CLIMATE VARIABILITY, and CLIMATE CHANGE
Weather is the temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness and wind that we
experience in the atmosphere at a given time in a specific location. Changes on weather happens
on a daily basis and can be readily described with the senses, even without using instruments
(ex. just looking outside the window, one can determine that the weather is either sunny or rainy).
Climate on the other hand is the average of the weather conditions at a particular point on
the planet. Typically, climate is expressed in terms of expected temperature, rainfall and wind
conditions based on historical observations and takes longer period of duration (30 – 50 years) in
comparison to weather.
Climate variability (also termed natural variability) pertains to natural variation in climate
that occurs over months to decades. A notable example is the El Niňo phenomenon.
Climate change is a change in either the average climate or climate variability that persists
over an extended period (decades or longer). Climate change occurs naturally but, the detrimental
effects at present are brought about by anthropogenic means. Having an anthropogenic origin
makes it different from climate variability.
NATURAL CAUSES of CLIMATE CHANGE
1. orbital changes: proposed by the Milankovitch theory, it states that as the Earth travels
through space around the Sun, cyclical variations in the three elements of the Earth-Sun geometry
combine to produce variations in the amount of solar energy that reaches the planet. These orbital
changes include:
a) eccentricity (~100,000 years): describes the shape of the Earth’s orbit around
the Sun. An elongated (elliptical) orbit receives more variation in solar radiation than a circular
orbit. Thus, it affects the seasonal differences of the planet. The planet receives greater amount
of energy when it is at perihelion to the Sun compared to its counterpart, the aphelion. During
perihelion, less severe winter or hotter summer is to be expected at the northern hemisphere. The
reverse holds true when the planet is at aphelion;
b) obliquity (~41,000 years): variation of the tilt of the Earth’s axis. The tilt is
directly proportional to the amount of solar radiation the planet receives from the sun. Thus,
greater tilt is equated to severe seasons (hotter summer and colder winter), and vice versa. This
also explains why temperature decreases as you move away from the equator, and;
c) precession (~23,000 years): the change in the orientation of the Earth’s
rotational axis. It is caused by two factors: wobbling of the Earth’s axis, and the revolution of the
planet on its elliptical orbit. In contrast to obliquity, precession affects the direction of the planet’s
axis. Precession leads to changes in the date of perihelion and aphelion, increase in the seasonal
contrast of one hemisphere (and decrease on its counterpart), and the change in the Earth’s
celestial pole (which is why thousands of years from now, Polaris won’t be the planet’s north star
anymore).
Fig. 3. Orbital Changes.
2. volcanic eruptions: a natural calamity
that brings forth global cooling which can last for a year or two.
After the eruption, aerosols (ex. carbon and sulfur dioxides, salt
crystals, volcanic ash or dust, and even microorganisms!) stay
suspended at the atmosphere which blocks a certain
percentage of solar radiation. The combination of ash particles
and water vapor (in the stratosphere) results to acid rain (due to
the formation of sulfuric acid) and sulfurous aerosols. The said
aerosols are transported by either easterly or westerly winds.
Due to wind patterns, volcanoes situated near the equator
brings about greater cooling effect. Lesser cooling effect is to be
expected near the North and South Poles since the aerosols Fig. 4. Volcanic Eruption
are only confined on the pole area.
3. movement of crustal plates: due

to this, the Northern Hemisphere contains
more landmasses than the Southern
Hemisphere. Landmasses affect global
circulation patterns of air and ocean water,
as well as the climate of the continents since
land warms faster water (ex. oceans). Due
to the former’s low heat capacity, the
Northern Hemisphere is warmer than the
Southern Hemisphere.
Fig. 6. North and South Hemisphere
4. variation in solar radiation: this
depends on the number of active sunspots
which has an 11-year cycle. Sunspots are
dark areas in the Sun that has strong
magnetic fields. The sun emits more
radiation during active periods of sunspots.
More sunspots contribute to warmer global
climates and vice versa.
5. Carbon Dioxide Theory: carbon

dioxide (CO2) absorbs part of the infrared
radiation in the air and returns it to the Fig. 5. Development of Sunspots.
ground. This keeps the air near the surface warmer. However, doubling the amount of CO2 raises
the global temperature to 2 – 3 OC.
6. El Niňo and La Niňa: these are natural phenomena wherein the former is an irregular
event of abnormal warming of Pacific waters occurring on a two to seven years interval, while the
latter is a cold episode that follows after an El Niňo as a result of the cooling of the equatorial
ridge between the coasts of Oceania and South America. During El Niňo, warm currents flow
towards the east, displacing the cooler currents to Oceania. This brings rainfall to central and
eastern Pacific and brings drought to Australia and parts of Asia, including the Philippines. La
Niňa occur due to ocean currents forming a warm pool in Oceania that increases rainfall in Asia
and Australia. It also lowers the temperature in the American coasts that leads to an increase in
aridity.
Fig. 7. El Niňo and La Niňa
Human Activities Causing Climate Change
Human activities contribute to climate change by causing changes in the Earth’s

atmosphere in terms of the amount of GHG, aerosols (small particles), and cloudiness. The
largest known contribution comes from the burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide
to the atmosphere. GHG and aerosols affect climate by altering incoming solar radiation and
outgoing infrared (thermal) radiation that are part of Earth’s energy balance. Changing the
atmospheric abundance or properties of these gases and particles can lead to a warming or
cooling of the climate system. Since the start of the industrial era (about 1750), the overall effect
of human activities on climate has been a warming influence. The human impact on climate during
this era greatly exceeds the changes brought by natural processes.
Greenhouse Gases*
Human activities result in

emissions of four principal
GHGs: carbon dioxide (CO2),
methane (CH4), nitrous oxide
(N2O) and the halocarbons (a
group of gases containing
fluorine, chlorine and bromine).
These gases accumulate in the
atmosphere, causing
concentrations to increase with
time. Significant increases in all
of these gases have occurred in Fig. 8. Emission of the top three GHGs.
the industrial era (Figure 8). All of these increases are attributable to human activities.
Water vapor is the most abundant and important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
However, human activities have only a small direct influence on the amount of atmospheric water
vapor. Indirectly, humans have the potential to affect water vapor substantially by changing
climate. For example, a warmer atmosphere contains more water vapor. Human activities also
influence water vapor through CH4 emissions, because CH4 undergoes chemical destruction in
the stratosphere, producing a small amount of water vapor.
Carbon dioxide has increased from fossil fuel use in transportation, building heating and
cooling and the manufacture of cement and other goods. Deforestation releases CO2 and reduces
its uptake by plants via photosynthesis. CO2 is also released in natural processes such as the
decay of plant matter.
Methane has increased as a result of human activities related to agriculture, natural gas
distribution and landfills. CH4 is also released from natural processes that occur, for example, in
wetlands. CH4 concentrations are not currently increasing in the atmosphere because growth
rates decreased over the last two decades.
Nitrous oxide is also emitted by human activities such as fertilizer use and fossil fuel
burning. Natural processes in soils and the oceans and the Nitrogen Cycle also release N2O.
Ozone (O3) is a greenhouse gas that is continually produced and destroyed in the
atmosphere by chemical reactions. In the troposphere, human activities have decreased ozone
through the release of gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxide, which
chemically react to produce ozone. To be mentioned on the next paragraph, halocarbons released
by human activities destroys ozone in the stratosphere and have caused the ozone hole over
Antarctica.
Halocarbon gas concentrations have increased primarily due to human activities. Natural
processes are also a small source. Principal halocarbons include the chlorofluorocarbons (e.g.,
CFC-11 and CFC-12), which were used extensively as refrigeration agents and in other industrial
processes before their presence in the atmosphere was found to cause stratospheric ozone
depletion. The abundance of CFCs is decreasing because of international regulations designed
to protect the ozone layer.
Fig. 9. Relationship between Ozone and Halocarbon (https://bit.ly/3cZmjj9).
Aerosols are small particles present in the atmosphere with widely varying size,
concentration, and chemical composition. Some aerosols are emitted directly into the atmosphere
while others are formed from emitted compounds. Aerosols contain both naturally occurring
compounds and those emitted as a result of human activities. Fossil fuel and biomass burning
have increased aerosols containing sulfur compounds, organic compounds and black carbon
(soot). Human activities such as surface mining and industrial processes have increased the dust
in the atmosphere. Natural aerosols include mineral dust released from the surface, sea salt
aerosols, biogenic emissions from the land and oceans and sulphate and dust aerosols produced
by volcanic eruptions.
*adapted from: https://bit.ly/35emfti.
Radiative Forcing of Climate Change
Radiative forcing is the change in net radiation at the tropopause caused by changes in
greenhouse gas or aerosol concentrations. Net radiation is defined as the difference between the
solar radiation absorbed by the Earth-atmosphere system and the longwave radiation emitted by
the Earth-atmosphere system to space. Net radiation influences the Earth's climate because it
determines the energy available for heating the atmosphere, ocean and land. This then leads to
seasonal variation of rainfall and the strength of the global circulation patterns. When greenhouse
gases increase in the atmosphere on account of human activities, the radiative balance of the
Earth is altered causing an increase in the net radiation at the top of the atmosphere.
Fig. 9. Radiative Forcing.
Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is a

leading factor in keeping the Earth
warm because it keeps some of the
planet's heat that would otherwise
escape from the atmosphere out to
space. It is called such because
GHG acts like a blanket that
prevents all the heat from Earth in
escaping. Without the greenhouse
effect, the planet's average global
temperature would be much colder
and life on Earth as we know it would
be impossible. The clear effect of the
greenhouse gases is the stable
heating of Earth's atmosphere Fig. 10. Greenhouse Effect
and surface, thus, global warming.
Although it occurs naturally, the greenhouse effect experienced at present is brought

about by human activities since more heat is retained on the planet due to the increasing amount
of GHG. Figure 10 depicts the difference between natural and human – induced greenhouse
effect.
Climate Change in The Philippine Context
The Philippines is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including sea level
rise, increased frequency of extreme weather events, rising temperatures and extreme rainfall.
This is due to its high exposure to natural hazards (cyclones, landslides, floods, droughts),
dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources and vast coastlines where all major cities and
the majority of the population reside. The Philippines lies in the world’s most cyclone-prone region,
averaging 19 – 20 cyclones each year, of which 7 – 9 make landfall. Sea levels in the Philippines
are rising faster than the global average, increasing the hazard posed by storm surges and
threatening permanent inundation of low-lying areas. A rich yet increasingly depleted natural and
marine resources base supports livelihoods through fisheries, agriculture, forestry, energy, mining
and tourism and provides critical ecosystem services such as shoreline protection, flood control,
soil stability and habitats for biodiversity.
Brain Teaser:
IDENTIFICATION. Write your answer at the blanks provided before each number.
___________ 1. He was the first point out that climate change can be anthropogenically triggered
by carbon dioxide emission.
___________ 2. Protocol/ summit that aimed to stabilize green house gas(es) (GHG)
concentration in the atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous human interference
with the climate system.
___________ 3. In general, these actions are done to reduce the vulnerability and impact of
climate change to society.
___________ 4. Based on the Milankovitch theory, earth receives the greatest amount of solar
radiation during ________.
___________ 5. The greatest cooling effect can be brought by a volcanic eruption in what region
of the earth?
___________ 6. An increase in number of _______ sunspots will bring about warmer

temperatures.
___________ 7. The most abundant and important GHG.
___________ 8. GHG that greatly afflicts (stratospheric) ozone.
___________ 9. The change in net radiation at the tropopause caused by aerosols and GHG
concentration is referred to as ______.
___________ 10. The green house effect brings about _______.
What's the point of reducing carbon emissions if the reductions are being neutralized by
other carbon emitters?
Assessment Task:
Enumerate at least five (5) ways on how a student like you can decrease his/her carbon
foot print?
Case Analysis:
Read the article below (https://news.mongabay.com/2019/10/for-the-philippines-a-

warming-world-means-stronger-typhoons-fewer-fish/) and answer the question:
“What can be done to address global warming in the Philippines”?
For the Philippines, a warming world means stronger typhoons, fewer fish
 Global warming is expected to increase the frequency of El Niño and La Niña weather
events in the Pacific, resulting in more powerful typhoons hitting the Philippines,
according to the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
 The report’s authors warn that even under a low-carbon-emission scenario, such
extreme weather events are inevitable.
 The Philippines also has to contend with warming ocean waters that threaten to kill its
coral reefs and drive its once-plentiful fish stocks to cooler regions of the Pacific.
 The IPCC authors say more research is needed to better understand how ocean
warming will impact the Philippines and the wider region.
MANILA — The Philippines gets hit by an average of 20 typhoons a year, according to the
national weather agency. During extreme El Niño events, when the surface waters of the Pacific
warm up, the number of typhoons that make landfall drops to 11 — but these storms are more
intense, bringing stronger winds and larger volumes of rainfall.
The bad news for the Philippines, already one of the most vulnerable countries to severe weather
events, is that both El Niño and La Niña events are set to increase in frequency, according to the
latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
“Extreme El Niño and La Niña events are likely to occur more frequently with global warming and
are likely to intensify existing impacts, with drier or wetter responses in several regions across the
globe, even at relatively low levels of future global warming,” says the report, “The Ocean and
Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.”
El Niño and La Niña events affect different regions of the world differently. In the Philippines, the
former is marked by reduced rainfall, drought, and stronger typhoons. The latter is usually
associated with heavier-than-usual rainfall.
“Before the turn of the century, we have El Niño events every 10 years,” Analiza Solis of the
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, told Mongabay.
“But now it’s becoming more frequent: we experience El Niño every five years.”
The IPCC report, a collaboration between 104 scientists from 36 countries, assesses more than
6,900 scientific journals to provide a worldwide link between global warming, oceans, and the
extreme weather occurrences that have wracked the globe in recent years. It’s the last in a trilogy
of climate change reports released by the IPCC — the next one will be released in 2022 — and
shows that global sea level rise is accelerated by the increasing rate of ice sheet loss, continued
glacier mass loss, and ocean thermal expansion.
“Although this is happening in the cryosphere” — the polar regions and glacial ice sheets such as
those in the Himalayas — “there’s a big impact for all of us, especially for countries who share
the same ocean,” said Lourdes Tibig, one of the lead authors of the report.
The thinning cryosphere drove a 15-centimeter (6-inch) increase in global sea level rise at the
turn of the century, which is expected to reach 34 to 76 centimeters (13 to 30 inches) in a low-
carbon-emission scenario, and 58 to 112 centimeters (23 to 44 inches) in a high-emission
scenario.
In both scenarios, the impact is inevitable, Tibig said: “We reached the point that even under a
low-emission scenario, there will be extreme El Niño and La Niña events.”
The report notes that confound hazards (a combination of factors) can lead to cascading impacts,
in which an individual extreme hazard generates a sequence of events that are significantly larger
than the initial impact. Haiyan, the strongest and most powerful tropical cyclone to hit the
Philippines, dumping a year’s worth of rain in less than 12 hours, coincided with high tide and sea
levels — a deadly combination that engulfed coastal communities in the Visayas region of the
country in 2013.
“The overall finding is that anthropogenic climate change is modifying multiple climate-related
events or hazards in terms of occurrence, intensity and severity,” Tibig said. “This increases the
likelihood of confound events and hazards that could cause extreme disturbance on human
systems.”
Localized studies on confound hazards and cascading impacts, however, are lacking in the
Philippines and in the wider region, adding another obstacle to adaptation policies. Studies of
extreme changes in the trade wind system and “its impacts on global variability, biogeochemistry,
ecosystems as well as society” are also lacking, the report says.
Further, studies that take into consideration climate change impacts and human development and
construction have yet to fully materialize. Typhoons, matched with sea level rise and seaside
construction, are the root causes of widespread erosion along eight beaches in the Philippines,
according to data from the environment department’s biodiversity bureau.
The country also has to contend with what the warming seas will mean for its fisheries sector, an
important source of livelihood for millions of Filipinos. Given an increase in intense marine heat
waves, combined with further climate warming, the IPCC report “concludes with high
confidence that this will push some marine organisms, fisheries and ecosystem beyond the limits
of their resilience.”
The Philippines’ marine biodiversity, at the heart of the Pacific Coral Triangle, stands to lose a lot
as corals, seagrass and kelp take the brunt of the impact from rising sea levels, water
temperatures, ocean acidification, and salinity.
Every square kilometer of coral reef system can supply up to 30 tons of edible and economically
important fish every year, said Armida Andres, assistant director of the environment department’s
biodiversity management bureau. But as corals bleach, get sick and die, fish stocks in these areas
will further decline as species are pushed out by the warming temperatures.
Fishing plays a major role in the wider Southeast Asian economy. Ten countries in the region
supply a quarter of the global fish production, and four of the 10 largest fish producers hail from
Southeast Asia. In 2010, Indonesia alone produced 10.83 million metric tons of seafood.
“Ocean warming to this century and beyond has contributed to an over-all decrease in maximum
catch potential globally,” Tibig said.
In the Philippines, 1.6 million fishers depend on the country’s coastal waters. In 1993, 80 percent
of the country’s fish catch came from open waters, dropping to 50 percent in recent years.
This will go lower the more as global temperatures approach the 1.5-degree-Celsius (2.7-degree-
Fahrenheit) threshold above pre-industrial levels, said Laura David of the Marine Science Institute
of the University of the Philippines. “We’re not even talking of overfishing yet or ocean
acidification. This is just temperature rise,” she said.
Fishers are also among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in the country. More than
1,000 municipalities in the Philippines are located in coastal areas, and at the forefront are fishers’
homes, often located within easement zones.
“How [ocean warming] impacts on the regional scale and on the Philippines … that’s where we
really need more research,” Tibig said. “The projected increase in the decades to come will
certainly depend on what global action we are going to do now.”
Chapter 12
NANOTECHNOLOGY
OBJECTIVES:

- explain the relationship between nanoscience and nanotechnology;
- relate the Filipino saying: “Walang maliit ang hindi nakakapuwing”, and;
- jot down at least five uses of nanotechnology.
INTRODUCTION:
“A biological system can be exceedingly small. Many of the cells

are very tiny, but they are very active; they manufacture various
substances; they walk around; they wiggle; and they do all kinds
of marvelous things – all on a very small scale. Also, they store
information. Consider the possibility that we too can make a thing
very small which does what we want – that we can manufacture
an object that maneuvers at that level”.
- excerpt from Richard Feynman’s talk

There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom
Nanoscience primarily deals with the synthesis, characterization, exploration, and

exploitation of nanostructured materials. These materials are characterized by at least one
dimension in the nanometer range. A nanometer (nm) is one billionth of a meter, or 10–9 m. One
nanometer is approximately the length equivalent to 10 hydrogen or 5 silicon atoms aligned in a
line.
Nanotechnology on the other hand is any technology on a nanoscale that has applications
in the real world. Nanotechnology encompasses the production and application of physical,
chemical, and biological systems at scales ranging from individual atoms or molecules to
submicron dimensions, as well as the integration of the resulting nanostructures into larger
systems.
Fig. 1. Objects measured in Nanoscale (https://bit.ly/35t5Y3W).

Nanometer-scale features are mainly built up from their elemental constituents. Examples
include chemical synthesis, spontaneous self-assembly of molecular clusters (molecular self-
assembly) from simple reagents in solution, biological molecules (ex. DNA) used as building
blocks for production of three-dimensional nanostructures, and quantum dots (nanocrystals) of
arbitrary diameter (about 101–105 atoms). The definition of a nanoparticle is an aggregate of
atoms bonded together with a radius between 1 and 100 nm. It typically consists of 101–105 atoms.
The discovery of novel materials, processes, and phenomena at the nanoscale and the
development of new experimental and theoretical techniques for research provide fresh
opportunities for the development of innovative nanosystems and nanostructured materials. The
properties of materials at the nanoscale can be very different from those at a larger scale. When
the dimension of a material is reduced from a large size, the properties remain the same at first,
then small changes occur, until finally when the size drops below 100 nm, dramatic changes in
properties can occur.
If only one length of a three-dimensional nanostructure is of nanodimension, the structure

is referred to as a quantum well; if two sides are of nanometer length, the structure is referred to
as a quantum wire. A quantum dot has all three dimensions in the nano range. The term quantum
is associated with these three types of nanostructures because the changes in properties arise
from the quantum-mechanical nature of physics in the domain of the ultrasmall. Materials can be
nanostructured for new properties and novel performance. This field is opening new avenues in
science and technology.
Fig. 2. Nanostructures.
MICROSCOPE
In order to observe and/or manipulate objects at nanoscale, one must have an instrument
to do so. Thus, we have the microscope. This simple apparatus, made up of system of lenses is
called “light microscope” (LM), has made a real revolution in natural science. This was developed
by Robert Hooke in the 17th century. However, its maximum resolution is limited by the wavelength
of visible light (~0.5 µm) and cannot satisfy all the demands of modern science.
Fig. 3. What can be seen with the Eye, Light Microscope, and Electron Microscope (https://bit.ly/3dmw6Aj).
The next serious scientific
breakthrough was made only in 1930s when
the electron microscope (EM) was developed
by Ernst Ruska, in which an electron beam is
used instead of photons (light) to obtain much
better image magnification. But still, scientists
were looking for more powerful tools, wishing
not only to see, but to “feel” and even
manipulate matter on the nano and atomic
scale.
In 1981, fundamentally a new

instrument – Scanning Tunneling Microscope
(STM) was invented by Gerd Binnig and
Heinrich Rohrer.
STM made them claim a Nobel Prize

five years after. This invention has raised the
surface science on the new level by
surpassing all experimental results obtained
so far by other techniques since this type of Fig. 4. LM vs. EM.
microscope is capable of not only viewing nanoscale particles (including molecules and atoms),
but their manipulation as well.
Several years later even a more powerful tool, the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), was
developed by Binnig and Calvin Quate in 1985. A lot of other surface-science techniques based
on the similar principles have been developed since that time.
Fig. 5. STM (https://bit.ly/3dmw6Aj).
Fig. 6. AFM (https://bit.ly/2SD85go).
STM works with the use of a very fine metallic tip that is connected to a scanner. The
sample is then charged positively or negatively to produce a small current (known as tunneling
current where the microscope got its name) that flows to the tip if it contacts the scanner. On the
other hand, AFM uses focused laser beam at the back of the cantilever causing it to move up and
down the specimen’s surface. The deflection is then captured by a diode that eventually generates
the image observed.
TECHNIQUES FOR SYNTHESIS AND CONSOLIDATION OF NANOSCALE MATERIALS

(NSM)
There are two general approaches to the synthesis of nanomaterials and the fabrication
of nanostructures: one is the bottom-up approach, that is the miniaturization of the components,
as articulated by Feynman in the introductory part of the module; and the top-down approach,
where each nanostructured component becomes part of a superstructure.
Attrition or milling is a typical top-down method in making nanoparticles, whereas the

colloidal dispersion is a good example of bottom-up approach in the synthesis of nanoparticles.
Bottom-up
approach to
nanofabrication use
chemical or physical
forces operating at
the nanoscale to
assemble basic
units into larger
structures. It seeks
to have smaller
components
arrange themselves
into more complex Fig. 7. Top-down vs. Bottom-up (https://bit.ly/2WvwcP3).
assemblies, while top-down approaches seek to create nanoscale devices by using larger,
externally-controlled ones to direct their assembly. Lithography may be considered as a hybrid
approach, since the growth of thin films is bottom-up whereas etching is top-down, while
nanolithography and nanomanipulation are commonly a bottom-up approach.
Below are some techniques based on the two approaches:
1. Dip pen
lithography: the tip of
an AFM is dipped
into a liquid (ex.
water or other
chemicals) then
utilized to write on a
substrate (surface).
Its mechanism is
similar when a pen
writes onto a paper.
Fig. 8. Dip pen lithography (https://bit.ly/3dj2q6X).
Ex. alkane thiolates to imprint onto a gold surface
2. Nanoimprint lithography (NIL): generates nanoscale attributes via stamping or

printing it onto a surface.
Ex. memristor: electrical component that limits or regulates the flow of
electrical current in a circuit and remembers the amount of charge that has previously flowed
through it. They are non-volatile, meaning they retain memory without power.
Fig. 9. NIL (https://bit.ly/2YDPjcs).
3. Self-
assembly: in the absence of
outside forces (might be a
direction or instruction), a set
of components joins together
to form an organized
structure.
Ex. nanocarriers.
designed for targeted drug
delivery, it increases the
efficacy of low water-soluble
drugs. This also holds a Fig. 10. Self-assembly (https://bit.ly/3c9XLEg).
promising role in treating cancer cells since drugs administered with nanocarriers will only target
cancer cells, a feature that chemotherapy lacks.
4. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD): process where gaseous precursors react to form
a solid coating on a heated substrate.
Ex. conductive carbon nanotube: replaces the traditional brushes in electric motors
since they have better electrical and thermal conductivity since they stretch through the plastic
matrix of the brush.
Fig. 11. Nanotube fabrication and CVD (https://bit.ly/2W8oRGf).
5. Molecular beam epitaxy
(MBE): process in which a thin single crystal layer
is deposited on a single crystal substrate using
atomic or molecular beams generated in Knudsen
cells contained in an ultra-high vacuum chamber.
Ex. high electron mobility transistors
(HEMT): a type of quantum device having the
highest gain and speed among any transistors.
Used in devices that relies on radio frequency
such as cellphones and radios. Fig. 12. MBE (https://bit.ly/2WaEq0f).
6. Roll to roll
processing: a high-
volume process to produce
nanoscale devices on a roll
of ultrathin plastic or metal.
Ex. graphene: one-
atom-thick layer of carbon
atoms arranged in a
hexagonal lattice. It is an
extremely diverse material,
and can be combined with
other elements (including Fig. 13. Roll to roll processing (https://bit.ly/2xGAKtD).
gases and metals) to produce different materials with various superior properties. Tennis racket
and other sports equipment that were graphene – enhanced proved their durability and
lightness at the same time.
7. Atomic layer epitaxy (ALE): also known as ALD (atomic layer deposition), is a film
deposition technique that is based on the sequential use of self-terminating gas-solid reactions.
Ex. DRAM: Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) is a type of random-access
semiconductor memory that stores each bit of data in a memory cell consisting of a tiny capacitor
and a transistor, both typically based on metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) technology.
Fig. 14. ALD (https://bit.ly/3ftLEDR).
Distinct Features of Nanoscale*
Nanoscale particles are not new in either nature or science. However, the recent leaps in
areas such as microscopy have given scientists new tools to understand and take advantage of
phenomena that occur naturally when matter is organized at the nanoscale. In essence, these
phenomena are based on "quantum effects" and other simple physical effects such as expanded
surface area (to be elaborated further later). In addition, the fact that a majority of biological
processes occur at the nanoscale gives scientists models and templates to imagine and construct
new processes that can enhance their work in medicine, imaging, computing, printing, chemical
catalysis, materials synthesis, and many other fields. Nanotechnology is not simply working at
ever smaller dimensions; rather, working at the nanoscale enables scientists to utilize the unique
physical, chemical, mechanical, and optical properties of materials that naturally occur at that
scale.
1. Scale at which Quantum Effects Dominate Properties of Materials

- When particle sizes of solid matter in the visible scale are compared to what
can be seen in a regular optical microscope, there is little difference in the properties of the
particles. But when particles are created with dimensions of about 1–100 nanometers (where the
particles can be “seen” only with powerful specialized microscopes), the materials’ properties
change significantly from those at larger scales. This is the size scale where the so-called
quantum effects rule the behavior and properties of particles. Properties of materials are size-
dependent in this scale range. Thus, when particle size is made to be nanoscale, properties such
as melting point, fluorescence, electrical conductivity, magnetic permeability, and chemical
reactivity change as a function of the size of the particle.
Nanoscale
gold illustrates
the unique
properties that
occur at the
nanoscale.
Nanoscale gold
particles are not
yellow, the color
in which we are
familiar with gold;
nanoscale gold Fig. 15. Nanoscale gold (https://bit.ly/2WDmOZG).
can appear red or purple. At the nanoscale, the motion of the gold’s electrons are confined.
Because this movement is restricted, gold nanoparticles react differently with light compared to
larger-scale gold particles. Their size and optical properties can be put to practical use: nanoscale
gold particles selectively accumulate in tumors, where they can enable both precise imaging and
targeted laser destruction of the tumor by means that avoid harming healthy cells.
A fascinating and powerful result of the quantum effects of the nanoscale is the concept
of “tunability” of properties. That is, by changing the size of the particle, a scientist can literally
fine-tune a material’s property of interest (ex. changing fluorescence color; in turn, the
fluorescence color of a particle can be used to identify the particle, and various materials can be
“labeled” with fluorescent markers for various purposes). Another potent quantum effect of the
nanoscale is known as “tunneling” which is a phenomenon that enables STM and flash memory
for computing work.
2. Scale at Which Much Biology Occur

- Over the millennia, nature has perfected the art of biology at the nanoscale.
Many of the inner workings of cells naturally occur at the nanoscale. For example,
hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the body, is 5.5 nanometers in diameter. A
strand of DNA, one of the building blocks of life, is only about 2 nanometers in diameter.
Understanding the functions provided by these objects and processes can guide us to imitate and
produce nanomaterials, nanodevices, and processes. Biologically inspired design, adaptation or
derivation from nature is referred to as biomimetics (also called bionics or biomimicry). Some
examples are shown in Figure 16.
Drawing on the natural nanoscale of biology, many medical researchers are working on
designing tools, treatments, and therapies that are more precise and personalized than
conventional ones—and that can be applied earlier in the course of a disease and lead to fewer
adverse side-effects. One medical example of nanotechnology is the bio-barcode assay, a
relatively low-cost method of detecting disease-specific biomarkers in the blood, even when there
are very few of them in a sample. The basic process, which attaches “recognition” particles and
DNA “amplifiers” to gold nanoparticles, was originally demonstrated at Northwestern University
for a prostate cancer biomarker following prostatectomy. The bio-barcode assay has proven to
be considerably more sensitive than conventional assays for the same target biomarkers, and it
can be adapted to detect almost any molecular target.
Fig. 16. Biomimetics.
Growing understanding of nanoscale biomolecular structures is impacting other fields than

medicine. Some scientists are looking at ways to use nanoscale biological principles of molecular
self-assembly, self-organization, and quantum mechanics to create novel computing platforms.
Other researchers have discovered that in photosynthesis, the energy that plants harvest from
sunlight is nearly instantly transferred to plant “reaction centers” by quantum mechanical
processes with nearly 100% efficiency (little energy wasted as heat). They are investigating
photosynthesis as a model for “green energy” nanosystems for inexpensive production and
storage of nonpolluting solar power.
3. Scale at which Surfaces and Interfaces Play a Large Role in Materials Properties and
Interactions
- Nanoscale materials have far larger surface areas than similar masses of larger-
scale materials. As surface area per mass of a material increases, a greater amount of the
material can come into contact with surrounding materials, thus affecting reactivity.
One benefit of greater surface area—and improved reactivity—in nanostructured
materials is that they have helped create better catalysts, since a greater portion of the material
is exposed for potential reaction. An everyday example of catalysis is the catalytic converter in a
car, which reduces the toxicity of the engine’s fumes. Nanoengineered batteries, fuel cells, and
catalysts can potentially use enhanced reactivity at the nanoscale to produce cleaner, safer, and
more affordable modes of producing and storing energy.
Large surface area (Figure 18) also makes nanostructured membranes and materials
ideal candidates for water treatment and desalination, among other uses. It also helps support
“functionalization” of nanoscale material surfaces (adding particles for specific purposes), for
applications ranging from drug delivery to clothing insulation.
Potential Benefits of Nanotechnology
Numerous prospective benefits for health and the environment are offered by
nanotechnology, with engineered nanomaterials being developed for renewable energy capture
and battery storage, water purification, food packaging, environmental sensors and remediation,
as well as greener engineering and manufacturing processes. Some examples of the latter
include highly efficient, low energy lighting sources, and smart clothing including a layer of piezo-
electric crystals in nanomaterials for powering the wearer’s electronic devices.
The field of nanomedicine has also rapidly progressed from specialized drug delivery
applications deploying liposomes (while many are not strictly nanoparticle-sized by international
standard definitions, they can be engineered at the nano-scale) to nanoshells and transdermal
patches, as well as the development of biocompatible nanomaterial prosthetic implants, and the
metal-containing functionalized nanoparticles used for both the imaging and treatment of various
cancers. Nanotechnology is also being used to develop point-of-care internet-linked diagnostic
devices (ex. “doctor-on-a-chip” diagnostic tools). Nanobionics has made advances in solving the
problems of interfacing between medical devices or bionic prosthetics and the nervous system;
for example, invasive cranial sensing electrodes made of traditional cytotoxic metals are being
replaced by more biocompatible surface transistors that can also be coupled with a dosing device.
Some common nano-enabled products currently available contain silver nanoparticles for
their antimicrobial effects, including clothing items that require less frequent washing. This was
mainly because of the ease of incorporating nanosilver into the surface of such products, but the
quality of these products has unfortunately been variable, with some rapidly leaching silver ions.
Nanosilver should preferably be reserved for more important applications such as medical
dressings for treating resistant infections that impair wound healing.
Fig. 17. Paintjob equipped with titanium dioxide (TiO2) (https://bit.ly/2zg4e1N).
Fig. 18. Size does matter (https://bit.ly/2YHlnfm).
*Adopted from: https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/special.
Potential Risks of Nanotechnology
There are many types of engineered nanomaterials, and not all are alike or potential
hazards. Many factors should be considered when evaluating the potential risks associated with
an engineered nanomaterial: the likelihood of being exposed to nanoparticles (ranging in size
from 1 to 100 nm, about one-thousandth of the width of a human hair) that may be shed by the
nanomaterial; whether there are any hotspots of potential exposure to shed nanoparticles over
the whole of the nanomaterial’s life cycle; identifying who or what may be exposed; the eventual
fate of the shed nanoparticles; and whether there is a likelihood of adverse biological effects
arising from these exposure scenarios. The intrinsic toxic properties of compounds contained in
the nanoparticle are also important, as well as particle size, shape, surface charge and physico-
chemical characteristics, as these greatly influence their uptake by cells and the potential for
subsequent biological effects. In summary, nanoparticles are more likely to have higher toxicity
than bulk material if they are insoluble, penetrate biological membranes, persist in the body, or
(where exposure is by inhalation) are long and fiber-like. Ideally, nanomaterial development
should incorporate a safety-by-design approach, as there is a marketing edge for nano-enabled
products with a reduced potential impact on health and the environment.
Issues at Present and in the

Future Use of
Nanotechnology
At present:
Nanopollutants: whether
naturally occurring or man-
made, they are nanoparticles
that are small enough to enter
your lungs or be absorbed by
your skin. Nanoparticles are
used in some of the products
found on shelves today, like
anti-aging cosmetics and
sunscreen. The highest risk is to
the workers in nanotechnology
research and manufacturing
processes.
5 to 15 years from now:
Breach of privacy:
virtually undetectable
surveillance devices could
dramatically increase spying on
governments, corporations and Fig. 19. Diseases associated with nanoparticle
private citizens. exposures (https://bit.ly/3dqUH6L).
10 to 20 years from now:
Economic upheaval: Molecular manufacturing is the assembly of products one molecule

at a time. It could make the same products you see today, but far more precisely and at a very
low cost. It is unclear whether this would bring boom or bust to the global economy.
Nanotech weaponry and warfare: Untraceable weapons made with nanotechnology could
be smaller than an insect with the intelligence of a supercomputer. Possible nano and bio
technology arms race.
Brain Teaser:
___________________ 1. A nanometer is equal to how many hydrogen atoms?
___________________ 2. Classification of nanostructure that has all the three dimensions on the
nano range.
___________________ 3. Type of microscope invented by Ernst Ruska.
___________________ 4. Microscope that uses laser beam to move a cantilever.
___________________ 5. Technique used in manufacturing of conductive carbon nanotube.
___________________ 6. Basic approach in nanomanufacturing wherein a “bigger”
nanostructure is made from smaller components.
___________________ 7. Used in making lightweight, yet durable sports equipment such as

rackets.
___________________ 8. Designs/inventions inspired by nature is referred to as
___________________ 9. Nanomaterial added to paints to have self-cleaning ability.
___________________ 10. Neurological disease that might arise from nanoparticle inhalation.
What are the factors that need to be considered before manufacturing a product/material
with the utilization of nanotechnology?
Assessment Task:
Illustrate a product or material that you want to create with nanotechnology. List the
materials needed, followed by the procedure in making it, and the use of the product or material
you aimed to construct. Discuss in class the importance or relevance of your work to the society.
Case analysis:
Read the article below. As a concerned citizen, do you think the country is ready in
nanotechnology?
Making the Country Competitive through Nanotechnology*

by oneexpert | Feb 21, 2019 | In The Spotlight, STII-Bridge
Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that uses the structure and composition of materials
in the order of nanometer (a billionth of a meter). The Philippines has the potential in the area of
nanotechnology due to the abundance of naturally-occurring nanomaterials such as clay,
limestone, silica, and zeolite.
The establishment of the Nanolab, as implemented by the ITDI (Industrial Technology

Development Institute) and funded by PCIEERD (Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and
Emerging Technology Research and Development) is a step towards attaining the goal of having
a world-class nanotechnology laboratory facility in the Philippines.
It aims to develop and implement R&D (Research and Development) initiatives on

nanotechnology utilizing naturally occurring nanomaterials, as well as providing nanotechnology-
related technical services for the various local industries.
The new facility is class 100k-certified and electrostatic discharge (ESD) compliant. Several
equipment are now available in the said facility capable of characterizing materials at the
nanolevel.
Among these are field emission transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscope, X-
ray diffractometer, X-ray fluorescence, dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer, and particle
surface area measurement.
Additional equipment for the production and processing of nanomaterials and nanocomposites
were also installed such as programmable vacuum mixer and dispenser, nanospray dryer, twin-
screw extruder with pelletizer, and electrospinning apparatus. With the establishment of this
facility, several R&D using our naturally-occurring nanomaterials have been conducted to boost
national competitiveness.
Nanoclay can be used as additive in various polymer systems (thermoplastic, thermoset, and
rubber) to produce polymer-clay nanocomposites.
The nanocomposites that are produced using this local additive by the plastics/polymer industry
can be used to make commodities and engineering products for the following industrial sectors:
automotive (bumpers, interior and exterior panels, etc.), construction (wall panels), electronics
and electrical (printed circuits, electric components, housings for computers, mobile phones,
electrical chargers, etc.), food packaging (containers), and aviation (integrated circuit box, panel,
etc.).
The technology on producing nanoclay from the local bentonite deposit involved the laboratory
processing of raw bentonite by purifying the valuable mineral montmorillonite and modifying the
surface of the particles to convert it into an organoclay. With the advent of nanotechnology, it is
now commercially known as Nanoclay because the clay platelet of the material has a thickness
of about one nanometer. Trial application of this nanoclay was conducted using polycarbonate
(from recycled compact disks) to produce the recycled polycarbonate-clay nanocomposite
system. The nanocomposite product showed a significant improvement in the thermal and
mechanical properties with only 5 % nanoclay loading.
Further application of nanoclay included the development of biodegradable packaging materials

using nanoclay in thermoplastic starch.
Nanoclay was added to thermoplastic starch and resulting blends were processed into films.
Results showed that meltintercalation of the nanoclay in the polymer matrix produced oriented
nanostructures of the clay layers. The topographical and morphological structures of the starch-
clay nanocomposites showed less porous surface compared with pure thermoplastic starch
indicating a more impermeable membrance. The developed bio-nanocomposite films are
intrinsically biodegradable and suitable for green packaging applications. Another research was
conducted to synthesize nanosilica from local silica. The project aims to develop nano-size silica
powder from natural resources and utilize this nanosilica for improved concrete performance.
One method to improve the performance of concrete is to add material that can increase its
strength. Previous researchers have shown increased strength in concrete with the addition of
micro-silica.
This project aims to develop nanosilica from natural resources that can improve concrete
performance. The mineral sector can benefit from the study of high-value added product that can
be developed, while the construction industry will gain from the improved properties of concrete.
Eleven provinces have been identified to have silica deposits with silica content ranging from 80-
90 percent, with Quezon having the highest silica content, while Camarines Norte having the
highest volume of silica deposits.
Parameters for mechanical synthesis of local silica using vibratory milling are being studied such
as milling time and use of different types of grinding media. Results of characterization studies on
synthesized nanosilica showed an increase in surface area of nanosilica compared with raw silica.
Formulation studies using various amounts of nanosilica in concrete/cement paste from 0.2-1.0
percent were studied. Test specimens were formed and cured for 7, 14, and 21 days.
Compressive strength of test specimens increases after each curing period. Processing of raw
materials into nanosized particles is ongoing.
The Philippines has vast deposits of non-metallic minerals and limestone accounts, totaling 29
billion tons. Current research on limestone involves the processing and production of nano-
precipitated calcium carbonate both for industrial and food grade. There is an ongoing research
to produce food grade nano-precipitated calcium carbonate using limestone from Negros Oriental.
Zeolite is naturally occurring nanomaterial that has crystalline porous aluminosilicate minerals. It
has widespread industrial applications such as selective absorbents, molecular sieve, ion
exchangers, and catalysts.
However, the use of natural zeolite has limitation due to variations in chemical composition,
properties, and impurities. This present research involved modification of natural zeolite into
nanozeolite.
*https://news.oneexpert.gov.ph/stii-bridge/making-country-competitive-nanotechnology/
Chapter 13
BIODIVERSITY AND THE SOCIETY
OBJECTIVES:

- find the relationship between biodiversity and the society;
- appreciate the importance of biodiversity, and;
- list ways on how to protect biodiversity.
INTRODUCTION:
Biodiversity is the
variability (diversity)
among living organisms
(bio) from all sources,
may it be terrestrial,
aquatic (freshwater and
marine), or aerial
ecosystem and the
ecological complexes of
which they are part. An
ecosystem consists of all
the living things in a Fig. 1. Levels of Biodiversity (https://bit.ly/2LcHlz2).
particular area, along with all he nonliving components of the environment with which life
interacts. It is also worth discussing (Fig. 1) the three levels of biodiversity genetic, species
(given more emphasis on this chapter), and ecosystem/ecological diversity.
Though we may seldom realize it, our health is heavily dependent on biodiversity, which
sustains our food supply, is a source of nutrients and medicines, and supports the provision of
clean air and fresh water, while also contributing to economic development, cultural and spiritual
enrichment. Indeed, we cannot have healthy societies without biodiversity, and yet the threats to
biodiversity are making the achievement of universal good health an even greater challenge.
To assist in the daunting challenge of protecting species, a number of biologically rich but
threatened regions containing high numbers of endemic species have been identified and
mapped. Such “hot spots” (countries highlighted on Figure 2) of biodiversity have been described
to assist governments and nongovernmental organizations in the development of conservation
priorities. At present, more than a million organisms have been identified and named while many
more are being discovered every year. Just recently, foreign and local researchers have found
that diversity of reptiles and amphibians in the Northern Philippines is even greater than what has
been known and identified.
Fig. 2. Biodiversity Hotspots (https://bit.ly/3dCH1WF).
Biodiversity in the species level can be further described based on its richness and
evenness. The former deals with the number of species in a given area whereas the latter is the
measure of whether a particular ecosystem is numerically dominated by one species or are all
represented by similar numbers of individuals. Use Figure 3 to deduce why it is said that the two
communities (group of organisms inhabiting a particular ecosystem, wherein each life form is
referred to as (a) species) have the same richness but differs in evenness. Bear in mind the
following: (a) evenness is directly proportional to diversity; (b) the more species, the greater the
richness, and; (c) similarity in abundance equals to greater evenness.
Fig. 3. Biodiversity (Richness vs. Evenness) (https://bit.ly/3dvm13R).

It is now also widely recognized that biodiversity loss and climate change are mutually
reinforcing: the loss of biodiversity hastens climate change, which in turn threatens biodiversity.
This has a negative impact on human health as we struggle to adapt to the impact of both these
environmental challenges. A climate resilient human community will have access to protected
ecosystem services, and biodiversity is an essential component of any climate change adaptation
strategy. While we can improve upon our understanding of how biodiversity loss affects health,
we can also make clearer what is at stake for ourselves and all life when we lose species and
damage ecosystems. We thus become better equipped to plan our development projects and
societies in the healthiest possible way. The continuing efforts to protect, restore, and understand
local and global biodiversity will have both immediate and long-term benefits for human and
ecosystem health.
Impacts of Biodiversity to Society
1. Supports food security, dietary health, livelihood sustainability

- Genetic diversity in food
systems provides the foundation of
crop development and food security
and promotes resistance and
resilience to environmental stresses
including pests and diseases of crops
and livestock. Diets based on a
diversity of food species promote
health and can help to protect against
disease by addressing the problem of
micronutrient and vitamin
deficiencies. Loss of agricultural
biodiversity can therefore threaten
health, livelihood sustainability and
our future security of food and
nutrition.
Fig. 4. Food/Dietary Pyramid (https://bit.ly/3fAIM8e).
2. Provides important resources for medical research

- Studies of wildlife anatomy, physiology and biochemistry can lead to important
developments in human medicine. Examples of species of interest to medical science include
bears (for insights into osteoporosis, cardio-vascular disorders, renal disease and diabetes),
sharks (osmoregulation and immunology), cetaceans (respiration and treatments for divers
suffering from decompression sickness) and horse-shoe crabs (optometry / ophthalmology and
molecular cell biology).
Fig. 5. Horseshoe Crab (https://bit.ly/3bcnWJ6)

3. Gives important
resources for traditional and
modern medicine
- Biodiversity
loss can impact on
community traditions and
livelihoods centered on
traditional medicinal
practices that utilize wild
animals and plants,
particularly for indigenous
(recall LUBBY SANTA) and
local communities. Millions
of people depend upon
traditional medicines for
their primary health care. Fig. 6. Nature’s Amazing Pharmacy (https://bit.ly/2LcvjFT).
Modern drugs derived from wild species include pain killers (e.g. Zinconitide from cone
snail toxin), cardiac drugs (e.g. Lanoxin from fox glove plants), anti-cancer drugs (e.g. Taxol from
English yew trees and Hycamtin from cancer tree) and treatments for diabetes (including
Exanitide from Heloderma lizards). Many other potentially important species are yet to be
investigated or discovered.
4. Plays an important role in the regulation and control of infectious disease

- Biodiversity loss and ecosystem change can increase the risk of
emergence or spread of infectious diseases in animals, plants and humans, including
economically important livestock diseases, zoonotic outbreaks and global pandemics. In recent
years outbreaks of SARS, Ebola, Marburg, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, avian influenza,
malaria, and even human impacts on biodiversity, the wildlife trade or unsustainable land use
change. Without a greater understanding of disease ecology, there is also a risk that programs to
tackle infectious diseases may impact negatively on biodiversity, through use of biocides and
other chemicals and wildlife culls. A take – away point in here is the interaction of organisms that
can be simply explained by a food chain or food web.
Fig. 7. Possible COVID 19 Zoonosis (https://bit.ly/35JtoSF).
5. Has social, cultural and spiritual importance within communities
- Ecosystem change can result in disconnection of populations from open spaces or the
wider countryside, with negative implications for physical and mental well-being and loss of “sense
of place”. This has been linked to an increased prevalence of ‘diseases of affluence’ (diabetes,
obesity, cardio- pulmonary illness) and psychological disorders in many communities.
Fig. 8. Values of Biodiversity (https://bit.ly/2WejaGO).
Conversely, access to “greenspace” (natural and artificial) are associated with better
health outcomes, shorter hospital visits and reduced convalescence time for patients than purely
urban environments. An awareness of environmental values and respect for other species has
been associated with reduced propensity towards anti-social behavior in children and young
adults.
6. Conservation of biodiversity is essential for climate change adaptation

- Climate change will have a range of significant impacts on human health, many of which
are directly associated with climate impacts on ecosystems. For example, changes in the ecology
of pathogens, or in the populations or distribution of disease vectors such as mosquitoes, could
lead to changes in disease the risk of outbreaks. Loss of ecosystem services also places
communities at greater risk from other climate impacts, such as extreme weather events, drought
and crop failure.
Fig. 9. Six key biological mechanisms that can improve predictions of biological responses to
climate change (https://bit.ly/2WfON2z).
7. Intact ecosystems can reduce disaster risks and support relief and recovery efforts
- Biodiversity and healthy ecosystems can provide important natural buffers against
natural disasters such as floods, drought and landslides. Habitat loss is also a contributory factor
in desertification and dryland salinity, impacting on livelihoods and community stability.
Those who
are poor or sick, or
who experience low
levels of livelihood
security, are likely to
be at greatest risk
from such events. In
many regions, rural
communities and the
poor are typically
more dependent
upon ecosystems for
their livelihood
security and well-
being, and they are
therefore most Fig. 10. Vegetation and Tsunami (http://www.fao.org/3/AG127E06.htm).
vulnerable to the
impact of disasters if these ecosystems are compromised before or by disaster impacts. People
who have been displaced by disaster or conflict may be more susceptible to illness, and more
dependent on ecosystem services for food, shelter and medicine. Sustainable management of
biodiversity can help to provide essential resources for promoting health and rebuilding livelihoods
in post-crisis situations.
Threats to
Biodiversity
1. Extinction:
The most obvious loss
of biodiversity is the
extinction of unique
taxa (group of
organisms having
natural relations). It is
determined in the
species level whereby
no live individuals of a
species remain. A
species, by definition, is
evolutionarily unique;
each species has
distinct genetic,
evolutionary, behavioral
and ecological
attributes that once lost Fig. 11. Causes of Extinction (https://bit.ly/2WgfyUK).
cannot be replaced. Although there are natural causes of extinction, it is undeniably correct to say
that at present, more of it is due to actions of man.
2. Habitat destruction: One of the most devastating threat to biodiversity is the outright
loss of habitat due to human activity. Habitat loss typically involves conversion of land for other
uses, including urban and agricultural areas. Once removed, a natural habitat is often
permanently lost, although natural or artificial restoration of some habitats is possible overtime.
Terrestrial ecosystems suffer habitat destruction in a variety of ways, such as
deforestation, desertification, urbanization and artificial burning (ex. slash and burn or “kaingin”).
On the other hand, aquatic ecosystems are threatened by dam construction, wetland filling, water
flow diversion, oil drilling, pollution and bottom trawling in addition to other human activities.
Fig. 12. Habitat Destruction (https://bit.ly/2zkVGqt).
3. Habitat
degradation: Less
devastating but more
insidious than outright
destruction of habitats
is its degradation.
Degradation of
habitats occurs when
some aspect of the
natural environment is
removed or altered. Fig. 13. Aquatic Habitat Destruction (https://bit.ly/3bj9Q8T).
Alteration can include addition of pollutants, which make habitats less suitable for some
organisms. Other activity such as heavy livestock usage can also degrade habitat quality.
Extraction of resources, such as removing certain plant species, can affect ecosystem
structure and function. Another form of degradation includes activities or management techniques
that disrupt natural cycles or disturbance regimes. These include crop irrigation, which disrupts
water flow, and managed natural fire suppression in areas where fire-adapted species occur.
4.
Introduced
species:
species that
are found in
areas outside
of their natural
habitat due to
direct or
indirect human
activity. The
anthropogenic
mechanisms
for introduction
are direct
transport,
removal of
competitors,
habitat
alteration and
human- Fig. 14. Invasive species (https://bit.ly/2YX6TbH).
induced
climate change. Only some species introduced into new areas becomes accustomed, and only
some of the established species cause large changes in native biodiversity (if these requirements
were met, an introduced species eventually becomes invasive).
The increased fragmentation (separation of part/s of a habitat due to changes in landscape

or terrain), degradation, and destruction of habitats, along with other threats, will certainly open
more niches for non-native species introductions. Species diversity in ecosystems is apparently
important in preventing introduced species from establishing, perhaps due to increased stability.
The anthropogenic transport and relocation of species threaten biogeographic differences in
fauna and flora. The result could drastically lessen biodiversity, resulting in a taxonomically and
ecologically homogeneous planet.
5. Pollution:
Pollution is defined
as contamination of the
natural environment.
Pollution can be in the
form of liquids, solids,
gases, or even forms of
electromagnetic radiation
input into air, water, or
land.
Pollution can be
acute, with a single
incident, or chronic, with
the addition of
substances to the
environment over a
continuous time period.
Examples of acute
environmental disasters
include oil spills, refinery
and shipping accidents,
and nuclear accidents.
Although the initial effects
of these disasters can
result in massive
biodiversity loss, there
are often longer lasting
repercussions as well. An Fig. 15. Types of Pollution (https://bit.ly/2WF4aAU).
example is the atomic
bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II and other nuclear – related disasters
that poses prolonged ecological impact of radioactive material. Sources of chronic pollution from
human activity includes industrial emissions, aerosol release from biomass burning, agricultural
runoff, pesticides, erosion, and automobile emissions. Although the immediate effects of chronic
pollution may be small, sustained rates and accumulation of chronic pollution can be more
devastating than acute environmental disasters.
6. Overexploitation: also referred to as

unsustainable use or overharvesting occurs
when biodiversity is removed faster than it
can replenish or recuperate. Given the
situation, this might lead to species extinction
in the long run since the birth rate cannot
cope up with the death rate (due to
overexploitation).
7. Climate change: Perhaps the most

crucial mechanism of environmental change
is climate. Biological organisms interact with Fig. 16. Overexploitation (https://bit.ly/35MLYJI).
their environment and vice versa, so environmental change is a key determinant of which
organisms speciate, thrive, and become extinct.
Slight changes in climatic patterns could have major effects, while any large local,
regional, or global change could have cataclysmic effects. Already, delicate oceanic coral reef
ecosystems have declined recently as ocean temperatures have increased. Coastal regions could
be quickly inundated due to rapidly rising sea levels, already estimated to have increased 0.1 to
0.2 meters over the last century. This could prove catastrophic for some of the species and diverse
communities in this ecotone.
Other particularly vulnerable species are those that cannot easily track climatic changes:
those with small range size; island or mountaintop species; those with low reproductive capability;
and those with little dispersal ability such as many plant species or freshwater organisms confined
to dispersal through waterways.
Fig. 17. Rate of Extinction brought by Climate Change (https://bit.ly/2WmNyPl).
6. Diseases: A
special case of the
threats to biodiversity
caused by species
introductions is the
expansion of pathogens
or parasites resulting
from human activity.
Disease can result from
genetic disorder and
Fig. 18. Mosquito: The deadliest animal(https://bit.ly/3fBBMZ0).
pathogens such as viruses or bacteria, or parasites.
Organisms that are affected by environmental contaminants, such as exposure to

organochlorines, may play a role in lowering immune response and resistance to disease.
Compromised immune function resulting from contaminants or stress can potentially

push populations or species at risk over the edge.
National Policies on Biodiversity
RA 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System (Nipas) Act): enacted “to secure
for the Filipino people of present and future generations the perpetual existence of all native plants
and animals through the establishment of a comprehensive system of integrated protected areas
(PAs) within the classification of national park as provided for in the Constitution”.
RA 9072 (National Cave and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act): It is
hereby declared the policy of the State to conserve, protect and manage caves and cave
resources as part of the country’s natural wealth. Towards this end, the State shall strengthen
cooperation and exchange of information between governmental authorities and people who
utilize caves and cave resources for scientific, educational, recreational, tourism and other
purposes.
RA 9147 (Wildlife Resources Protection and Conservation Act): an act providing for
the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats, appropriating funds
therefor and for other purposes.
RA 10654 ((amended) Philippine Fisheries Code): To ensure the rational and sustainable
development, management and conservation of the fishery and aquatic resources in Philippine
waters including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and in the adjacent high seas, consistent
with the primordial objective of maintaining a sound ecological balance, protecting and enhancing
the quality of the environment.
PD 705 (Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines): the said Presidential Decree has four
policies:
(a) The multiple uses of forest lands shall be oriented to the development and progress
requirements of the country, the advancement of science and technology, and the public welfare;
(b) Land classification and survey shall be systematized and hastened;
(c) The establishment of wood-processing plants shall be encouraged and rationalized,
and;
(d) The protection, development and rehabilitation of forest lands shall be emphasized so
as to ensure their continuity in productive condition.
Brain Teaser:
____________________ 1. Type of diversity that deals with DNA.
____________________ 2. Several biologically rich but threatened regions containing high

numbers of endemic species have been identified and mapped is referred to as ______.
____________________ 3. It deals with the number of species inhabiting a particular area.
____________________ 4. Whose animal’s “blue” blood is used in decontaminating surgical

tools from bacteria?
____________________ 5. A cardiac drug derived from fox glove plants.
____________________ 6. Organism that caused the greatest death among humans.
____________________ 7. A species found in areas outside their natural habitat due to direct
or indirect human activity and poses a threat to the native inhabitants.
____________________ 8. Practice that might lead to extinction of certain species.
RA/PD or the Title of the Law itself
____________________ 9. The State shall conserve, protect and manage caves and cave
resources as part of the country’s natural wealth.
____________________ 10. Land classification and survey shall be systematized and

hastened.
Assessment Task:
Make a slogan, poem, or music video regarding biodiversity conservation.
Take your stand on the following statement:
“Do you think that our planet can survive without human beings taking care of it”?
Prepare at least five (5) arguments to back up your claim.
Case Analysis:
Presented on Table 1 are other contributing factors to biodiversity loss listed on the
Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2028. If you will be someone in power (ex.
politician, forester, forest ranger, etc.), which of the following factors will be your top 3 priority?
Provide three to five points/arguments regarding the choice you’ve made.
Table 1. Other Contributing Factors to Biodiversity Loss.
Table 1. (continued)
DEDICATION
To GOD, for in Him, all things are possible.

To TEAM GLUCOSE, Mylene, Vianca Paulene, Vander Paul, and Vjerah Paula. You
serve as my inspiration in pursuing greater heights in my career.
To my PARENTS whom I had inherited my genes, Papa Bong and Mama Cel.
To my SIBLINGS, Kuyas Vergelito Jr, Virgilio III, and Ver Michael, and their respective
families as well.
To my RELATIVES and FRIENDS.
To the PUP CABIAO CAMPUS FACULTY AND STAFF, Sirs Fernan, DG, Alvin, Almon,
Joshua, Michael, and Rogene, as well as the lovely colleagues Ma’ms Jenn, Tess, Crisel, May,
Lani, Micalyne, and Lina.
To our beloved STUDENTS in PUP CABIAO CAMPUS, for without you, teaching and
learning in this institution will not happen.
GOD BLE$$ us always!
- VINCENT PAUL ROQUE – REYES, LPT, MAEd (Bio)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie. (https://zapatopi.net/afdb/)
Bautista, J.G. (2019). 2019 media trend. Kantar Media. Philippines.

Baragona, S. (2019). Philippines approves GMO rice to fight malnutrition.
Beltran, G. (2019). Stem cell therapy – hype or hope? Philippine Star.
Celorico, J.R. (2019). Making the country competitive through nanotechnology. DOST – STII.
Philippines.
CNN Philippines. (2020). NBI arrests teacher for online post offering ₱50M for Duterte slay.
Commission on Higher Education. (2013). Science, technology, and society: Syllabus.

Republic of the Philippines, Office of the President.
Excerpt from Heidegger’s essay “The Question Concerning Technology”.(https://bit.ly/2TpcILf)
Excerpt from Science, God and Ockham’s Razor (https://bit.ly/2Zkd4Xn)
Feynman, R. (1959). There’s plenty of room at the bottom.
For the Philippines, a warming world means stronger typhoons, fewer fish
(https://bit.ly/2ZHbTS8).
IPCC. (2007). Frequently asked question 2.1: How do human activities contribute to climate
change and how do they compare with natural influences?
Galileo is Convicted of Heresy (https://bit.ly/363jcoh)
Kosoraju, R. (2014). Information age: We are living in the best time now.
Levy, D. (2007). Love and sex with robots. Harper Perennial.
Invisible Predators (https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ798570.pdf)
Mapanao, C.P. (2018). Science, technology, and society: Syllabus. Polytechnic

University of the Philippines. Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines.
Mishra, M.M. (2018). A review on gene therapy: history, vectors, technologies and application.
World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science.
Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2028.
Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A., Felipe, E.F., and Meneses, J.L. (2019). Science, technology, and
society: Lorimar Publishing Inc. Q.C., Philippines.
Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science, technology, and society. First ed. Rex Book Store.
Manila. Philippines.
Stem Cell Therapy: A novel treatment for various diseases and injuries. (2016).
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Research.
Types of Computer. (https://bit.ly/3glU0xW)
What is the Kaliwa Dam project? (https://bit.ly/3cJoLLb)
For the pictures and tables, please refer to the corresponding citations in this module.

STS Module 2021-22

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

STS Module 2021-22

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

INTRODUCTION

The subject is divided into three units:

Course Title : Science, Technology and Society

Course Code : GEED 10083

Course Credit : 3 units (3 hours of Lecture)

Institutional Learning Outcomes Programs Outcomes Course Objectives

Week Topic Learning Outcomes Methodology Resources Assessment

Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,

b. Government Policies on Science

b. Science as - integrate human Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and

e. How Much is Too Much?

b. Robotics and - weigh the pros and cons Levy, D. (2007).

Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,

Roberts, Eric, S. (2011). The art

Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,

Kosoraju, R. (2014). Information age: We

Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and

Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,

Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and

Prieto, N.G., Vega, V.A.,Felipe, E.F., and

Serafica, J.P.P., et al. (2017). Science,

COURSE GRADING SYSTEM

Class Standing (Quizzes): 70% Final Exam:30%

Enhanced by: Checked by:

FERNANDO F. ESTINGOR, MSIT

Table of Contents xiii

Unit I: GENERAL CONCEPTS AND HISTORICAL EVENTS IN STS

Chapter 1: SCIENCE EDUCATION IN THE PHILIPPINES 1

Chapter 2: INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTIONS THAT DEFINED SOCIETY 5

Chapter 3: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND NATION BUILDING 12

Unit II: STS AND THE HUMAN CONDITION

Chapter 4: HUMAN FLOURISHING 19

Chapter 5: TECHNOLOGY AS A WAY OF REVEALING 25

Chapter 6: THE GOOD LIFE 31

Chapter 7: WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY CROSS 36

Unit III: SPECIFIC ISSUES IN STS

Chapter 8: THE INFORMATION AGE 44

Chapter 9: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM 54

Chapter 10: MODERN THERAPEUTIC APPROACH 67

Chapter 11: CLIMATE CHANGE 78

Chapter 12: NANOTECHNOLOGY 86

Chapter 13: BIODIVERSITY 100

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

The Concept of Science Education

Science Education in Basic and Tertiary Education

Philippine Science High School System

Also known as Pisay (c. 1964), it is the only basic education

Quezon City Science High School (QCSHS)

Established in 1967, QCSHS became the regional

Fig. 2. QCRSHS logo.

Manila Science High School (MSHS)

MSHS, the first science high school was established in 1963

Both QueSci and MaSci accepts non-residents of Quezon City

Special Sci. Elementary Schools (SSES) Project

SSES has the following goals:

Special Science Class (SSC) / Science,

From SSC to STE (name was changed

Fig. 5. Some schools in Nueva Ecija offering Science Curriculum.

_____________ 2. NCR’s regional science high school.

_____________ 3. Implemented on the primary level, it hones science – inclined children by

_____________ 4. In what government institution is Pisay under?

Something to ponder at:

1. What other government programs/projects are available for science

_ 4. Civilization that originated in Peru. __5. Chinampa

_______________ 9. The SN 1054 observed by the Chinese later on became _.

___ 1. Galleon trade _ 2. Indigenous knowledge system