LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

QUARTER: 4th/ WEEK: 6-7

Name: ____________________________________________ Score: ___________

Grade & Section: ____________________________ Subject: BIOTECHNOLOGY

Name of Teacher: KRISLAN JAN Q. FIGUERRES ___ Date: ________________

I. Title: The Role of Geneticist: Concerns and Ethical Issues in DNA Technology
II. Type of Activity: Concept notes with formative activities

LAS for summative assessment ( Written Work Performance Task)

III.MELC: Recognize the role of a geneticist who applies DNA technology in studies
or experiments while upholding respect for life and high ethical standards.

IV. Learning Objective/s:

 Discuss the role of geneticist on DNA technology.

 Infer the views and opinions of geneticists toward DNA technology
concerning morals and ethics on their studies and experiments.
 Reflect on the roles of geneticist on DNA technology and their
opinions on morals and ethics associated with their works.
 Create an argumentative essay on your views and opinions on the
roles of geneticist and their concerns on DNA technology.

V. Reference/s:

Print Material/s:

Herren, R. V. (2004). Introduction to Biotechnology, pp. 327- 344. Unit

2105 - 2106 Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila: MG
Reprographics.

Online Resource/s:

Concerns on DNA Technology Retrieved at

https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/biomolecules/dna-
technology/v/safety-and-ethics-of-dna-technologies on April 20,
2021.

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VI. Concept Notes
The Role of Geneticist: Concerns and Ethical Issues in DNA Technology
Often, scientists make new discoveries or create a new development that
people do not understand. Also, they may solve one problem and create another
problem by implementing the innovation. For example, an exotic plant may be
brought in that is superb at preventing erosion but may become a very invasive weed
that takes over the cropland. When this happens, friction may result between the
scientific community and the public. Therefore, it is very important that both sides of
an issue be thoroughly discussed before reaching conclusions as to what course of
action to take. Once the facts have been debated, the ethical aspects of an issue
must be decided before any action can be taken.
Bioethics is the area of ethics that is specifically associated with biological
and medicinal research. Almost everyone agrees that life is most precious and
anything that affects life can have serious consequences. Ethics, dealing with life,
especially human life, are almost as old as human civilization. In many years of study,
scientists struggle to weigh the potential dangers of their research against the
expected rewards of their findings. Most research and development projects have
some risks. The ethical responsibility of scientists and those who regulate the release
of findings is to determine the risks involved and if the benefits are worth the risks.
This determination is often the point of controversy.
Even though there are numerous benefits linked to biotechnology, there are
also a great number of concerns and ethical issues involved. Even though we have
been genetically modifying organisms through selective breeding for thousands of
years, there are some people who feel uncomfortable with genetic modification that
takes place in laboratories. They view engineering as an inappropriate use of
technology because of the level of control humans are exerting over the natural world.
Determining the line between ethical and unethical is a complex and difficult task
because ethics is governed by an individual’s moral principles and guidelines as he or
she perceives what is good and what is evil. Ethics is also regulated by the facts of
situation.
For instance, many people are against cosmetic companies using animals for
product testing; however, when the situation is changed and animals are used for
research to find cures for diseases, the consensus shifts to support for animal
research. The difference in opinion relates the perception of the risks and benefits of
the research. A huge task in solving ethical problem is separating human emotions
from information. An individual’s morals, values, and religious beliefs are often very
strong and are instrumental in developing the way people think. It is essential when
analyzing a question of ethics to gather as much information as possible on both
sides of an issue to make a responsible decision.
Ethics in Personalized Medicine
Because tools of biotechnology are widely employed to improve human
health, issues of patients’ privacy and medical ethics are important to consider. For
example, patients should give informed consent when submitting biological samples
that may yield genetic information. In the United States, the Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 was passed to prevent discrimination against

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individuals regarding health insurance or employment, based on their genetic
information.
In addition to medical providers, several personalized genomic companies
have started in the United States in recent years. These companies aim to provide
individuals with genetic screening for single nucleotide variations that may be
correlated with medical traits. Ethical issues around personalized genomics include
data security and whether customers can reasonably interpret the statistics that
correlate a specific genetic trait with the likelihood of developing a particular medical
condition. There are currently paternity testing kits that may be purchased at
drugstores, and some genomic companies aim to provide similar home test kits for
genetic diseases. Proponents say that everyone has a right to learn about their own
genetic variations, but opponents claim that the average person may have unable to
appropriately interpret genetic test results and should be able to take genetic test only
under medical supervision.
Ethics in Stem Cell Research
One area of biotechnology that attracts a lot of attention is stem cell
research. Stem cells are cells grow and differentiate into various tissues that make
up the assorted organs and systems of an animal’s body. Because they can develop
into many different types of cells, stem cells are pluripotent. Scientists are now able
to culture stem cells in the laboratory. If they can unlock the process of cell
differentiation, they can grow costume-made tissues. Stem cell research may
provide weapons to eradicate debilitations such as those resulting from spinal cord
injuries. It further provides the prospect of generating fresh nerve tissue and divide
and restore damage nerve cells.
Much of the controversy surrounding stem cell research is over the process of
gaining stem cells from human embryos. Stem cells may be derived from human
immature human embryos or aborted fetuses. Once they are cultured, these cells
can replicate indefinitely. Opponents of stem cell research claim that it is immoral to
use human embryos or fetuses for research regardless of the potential benefits.
They point to obtaining adult stem cells from willing participants as an alternative
means of procuring cells that may differentiate into many types of tissue. However, it
is possible to create human embryonic stem (hES) cells lines without destroying
embryos.
One of the greatest ethical questions in biotechnology is how life is defined or
when life begins. There are many different opinions and perceptions as to the best
definition of life. Many consider life to begin at conception, other say that life begins
when the fetus is formed, still others believe that life begins when a fetus can live on
its own, while yet others contend that life begins at birth. This type of ethical question
is difficult to answer through scientific research. However, the perception of when life
begins is a central point in determining whether hES cells should be used for
research.
Ethics in Cloning
Many consider cloning to be the most controversial area of biotechnology,
with human cloning being more specific area of concern. This milestone in scientific
research was met with the tremendous curiosity as well as backlash of concern. The
apprehensions ranged from religious concerns to questions of animal welfare.

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However, scientists involved in this field of research argue that potential for genetic
improvement in livestock and other species outweighs the associated risks. The
possibilities of cloning are immense, but at the same time, little is known about this
developing area of science, and there may be valid concerns. For example, critics
point out that although we have had success with cloning many animals, we still
know relatively little about the long-term characteristics of cloned animals. They point
out that we cannot be certain how cloned animals grow, develop, and age until we
have a population of many hundreds of cloned animals to study.
Perhaps the greatest objection to cloning is that the technology will lead to
human cloning. Several different surveys indicate that most people believe that to
pursue cloning of a human is immoral and unethical. Some argue against human
cloning because a human clone would exist because of laboratory experiment.
Others believe that creating clones is “playing God” and fear religious repercussions.
Proponents of human cloning believe that cloning would offer ways to improve the
human gene pool and eliminate abnormalities and maybe even create super-humans
with perfect health and extreme intelligence.
In addition, they point out that many genetic disorders can be completely
wiped out through the process of cloning. Opponents of this argument point out that
the process could just as well produce some of the world’s most infamous criminals.
They also contend that famous people were also a product of their environment and
that the way they grew up contributed as much as genetics.
Patents on Life
One of the many great ethical concerns of biotechnology is the emerging
dispute about patents of life. Patents are government grants that provide an inventor
with the exclusive right to use, sell, and manufacture an invention for a set period.
However, within the past few decades, because of the advances in biotechnology,
this grant has also extended to life forms and genes. Patenting allows select
research groups to take control of and exploit organisms and genetic material as
private property that can then be licensed or sold to producers, breeders, scientists,
or doctors.
Patents can be a good tool for sharing technological advances, as inventors
must disclose all background information and explain exactly how their environment
works. Some contend that if patents on human life were approved, it means that
human body parts or even human clones could be patented. The moral decision of
humans being patented must consider whether human life is indeed sacred or
whether it is a commodity to be sold and traded.
Biopiracy
For thousands of years, people have been collecting plant species and other
living organisms while on voyages or military expeditions. A similar term for today’s
generation is bioprospecting, which is the process of collecting biological samples
that can help medicinal and scientific research. However, some consider this to be
what is known as biopiracy, which is a relatively new term in the field of genetics.
Biopiracy refers to the illegal commercial development of naturally occurring
biological material, such as plant substances or genetic cell lines. It is considered by
many to be an immoral use of traditional and biological heritage. The ethical concern

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is that the precious biodiversity in these countries could be altered because of the
overuse and illegal seizing of unique species. Sustainability is a moral obligation of
people all over the world to preserve as much of our natural earth as we can so that
future generations will be able to enjoy it as well.

VII.Performance Task
Essay on the Role of Geneticist: Concerns on DNA Technology
After reading the concept notes on the roles of geneticist toward the
different concerns on DNA technology, take your turn to be heard. Write your own
argumentative essay that takes a clear position on what your views and opinions
regarding what you have read above. Be sure that your recommendation
acknowledges both sides in your essay. You may choose a phrase or sentence
that most effectively and credibly support your position and your consideration of
the opposing view.
*Note: Please be guided by the following outline in making an argumentative
essay:

1. Introductory Paragraph

2. Body Paragraphs (include here your claims, counterclaims, reasons,

and evidence/s)

3. The Thesis Statement (summary of your main point)

4. Conclusion

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 VIII. Notes to Teachers:

Scoring Rubrics for Essay

Criteria 5 4 3 2 1 Score
Focus on the Sharp, distinct Apparent point Enough key No point made Minimal
Topic/ controlling point made about the point made about the topic evidence of
Content made about the topic with about the topic with less evident knowledge
topic with evident evident with some awareness and about the topic.
awareness and awareness and evident knowledge of
knowledge of the knowledge of awareness and the topic.
topic. the topic. knowledge of
the topic.
Quality and Explain the topic Shows some May treat the Lacks focus or Lacks focus and
Clarity of thoughtfully and depth and topic demonstrates coherence, and
Ideas in depth. complexity of simplistically confused or often fails to
thought. and repetitively. simplistic communicate its
thinking. ideas.
Organization Sophisticated Functional Functional Confused or Minimal control
of Ideas arrangement of arrangement of arrangement of inconsistent of content
content with content with content with less arrangement of arrangement.
evident and/ or evident and/ or evident and/ or content with or
subtle transitions subtle subtle without attempts
of ideas. transitions of transitions of are transition.
ideas. ideas.
Evident control of Sufficient control Limited control Minimal control Poor control of
grammar, of grammar, of grammar, of grammar, grammar,
mechanics, mechanics, mechanics, mechanics, mechanics,
spelling, usage, spelling, usage, spelling, usage, spelling, usage, spelling, usage,
and sentence and sentence and sentence and sentence and sentence
Conventions formation. formation. formation. formation. formation.
Total Score

IX. Answer Key to the Tasks:

Answers may vary