TOPIC 8

Science, Technology, & Society

SPECIAL TOPICS
BSMA 2-B
CONTENTS
Information Society
Biodiversity
Nanotechnology
Gene Therapy
Climate Change
 INFORMATION SOCIETY

A concept that responds to the expansion and

ubiquity of information. The term has been in use
since the 1970s, but has gained in popularity and is
now widely used in social and political policy.
Sustained and accelerated growth of media, of
education provision and participation, as well as
computer communications technologies has led many
to posit that the attendant information
explosion distinguishes a new epoch.
 Role of Language Role of Mathematics
In the human quest for understanding the
Since people have discovered the laws
natural world, the ability to name
and language of nature, they can
and classify object found in nature was
develop technology that uses these
seen as a first step in knowing. The
laws and language for their bene t. This
Greeks valued language's ability to share
language is, of course, mathematics,
ideas among people and communities.
the great contribution of Isaac Newton.
They debated whether this power came
Nature can be understood because it
from the speaker or the listener but
speaks in the language of Mathematics
agreed that communication was crucial
and the human brain, to a certain
for gaining knowledge together. They
extent, can comprehend this language.
saw science, meaning "to know" in Latin,
as one way to explore this idea.
Printing Press
Invented around 1440 by Johann
Gutenberg. This is considered to be the
beginnings of mass communication. the
development of a fast and easy way of
disseminating information in print
permanently reformed the structure of
society. The printing press has made
the books accessible to everyone, not
only to the upper class. This led to the
increase in the literacy of people.
 Sir Tim Berners-Lee created a system for
scientists at CERN to share data because the
atom smasher there produced a lot of scientific
information. This was needed because older
communication methods couldn't handle so much
data like telegraph and telephone. But now, with
World Wide Web easy information sharing, there's more
misinformation on social media, and biased groups
can be used by powerful people to control
opinions. Also, accessing personal information
online can make you vulnerable to identity theft
and scams, so it's important to be careful with
modern devices.
 BIODIVERSITY
Refers to the diversity of life on Earth at all levels,
from genes to ecosystems, and can include
evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that
keep life going.
Biodiversity encompasses all living things, including
microbes, fungi, and invertebrates, as well as
species that are unique, threatened or endangered
IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY
Supports food security, dietary health, and livelihood sustainability
Provide important resources for medical research (traditional and
modern)
Plays a role in regulation and control of infectious diseases
Essential for climate adaptation
Has social, cultural, and spiritual importance with communities
 THREATS OF BIODIVERSITY
1. Climate Change -rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and
extreme weather events associated with climate change disrupt
ecosystems and threaten the survival of species.
2. Deforestation and Habitat Loss -activities such as deforestation, mining,
and agriculture degrade habitats, reducing their suitability for native
species. Loss of habitat quality can result in decreased biodiversity and the
loss of specialized species that rely on specific habitat conditions.
3. Overexploitation -unsustainable harvesting of wild species for food,
medicine, fuel, and other resources can lead to population declines and
even extinction.
 THREATS OF BIODIVERSITY

4. Invasive Species -introduction of non-native species into new

environments, either intentionally or accidentally, can outcompete native
species, disrupt ecosystems, and spread diseases, leading to declines in
biodiversity and ecosystem function.
5. Pollution -pollution from various sources, including industrial activities,
agriculture, and urban runoff, contaminates air, water, and soil, harming
biodiversity.
 NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology refers to various technologies to produce materials of extra
high precision and dimensions on the scale of one-billionth of a meter. It implies
the ability to generate and utilize structures, components, and devices with a size
range from about 0.1nm to about 100nm. Nanotechnology is often claimed to be
the next great “revolution” in science and technology, one that will transform
both nature’s basic building blocks—atoms and molecules—and the society
that adopts its vaunted products. Nanotechnology promises many new
products, processes and improvements, yet many scientists, politicians, and
ethicists have begun to raise cautionary questions about possible risks
associated with these projected benefits.
 Origin of N A N O T E C H N O L O G Y
The term "nano-technology" was first used by Norio Taniguchi in 1974. In 1986,
K. Eric Drexler used the term "nanotechnology" in his book Engines of Creation:
The Coming Era of Nanotechnology, which proposed the idea of a nanoscale
"assembler" which would be able to build a copy of itself and of other items of
arbitrary complexity with atomic control. In 1980, the emergence of
nanotechnology as a field in occurred through convergence of Drexler's
theoretical and public work in 1986, Drexler co-founded The Foresight
Institute to help increase public awareness and understanding of
nanotechnology concepts and implications
 BENEFITS RISKS

1. Improved Medical Treatments 1. Health and Safety Concerns

2. Advanced Diagnostics 2. Environmental Impact
3. Newer and Faster Computers 3. Regulatory Challenges
4. Space Exploration 4. Ethical and Societal Implications
5. Better Products 5. Nano-Terrorism and Security Risks
6. New Jobs
 GENE THERAPY
It is the insertion of genes into an
individual’s cells and tissues to treat a
disease, such as a hereditary disease
in which a deleterious mutant allele is
replaced with a functional one.
Although the technology is still in its
infancy, it has been used with some
success.
 Type of Somatic cell therapy targets
nonreproductive cells in the body,
GENE THERAPY ensuring that any therapeutic effects are
➤IN VIVO which means interior (where not passed on to future generations. This
genes are changed in cells still in the approach is seen as safer and more
body). This form of gene therapy is conservative compared to germline
called in vivo, because the gene is therapy. However, somatic cell therapy
transferred to cells inside the patient's typically offers short-lived effects as
body. most tissues' cells are replaced over
time. Consequently, patients often
➤EX VIVO Which means exterior require repeated treatments throughout
(where cells are modified outside the their lifespan to maintain the therapeutic
body and then transplanted back in benefits.
again).
 BENEFITS RISKS
Gene therapy holds promise for treating Gene therapy raises ethical questions
genetic diseases by correcting or regarding issues such as consent, privacy,
replacing defective genes responsible and equity in access to treatment.
for the disorder. Long-term safety and efficacy data for
Gene therapy can specifically target the gene therapy treatments are still limited,
underlying molecular mechanisms of a particularly for novel and experimental
disease, providing tailored treatments therapies.
that address the unique genetic Regulatory approval processes for gene
characteristics of each patient. therapy are complex and time-consuming,
Gene therapy is not limited to genetic requiring extensive preclinical and clinical
disorders and can be applied to acquired data to demonstrate safety, efficacy, and
diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and manufacturing consistency.
neurodegenerative diseases.
 CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature, precipitation
patterns, and other climatic conditions on Earth. It is primarily driven by
human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases such as
carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), which trap
heat in the atmosphere and contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Causes of Climate Change:

1. Natural Causes
2. Human Activities
 NATURAL CAUSES HUMAN ACTIVITIES
1. Volcanic Eruptions -it emits different 1. Deforestation
natural aerosols like carbon dioxide, 2. High Methane Emission- from
sulfur dioxides, salt crystals, volcanic agricultural activities
ashes or dust and eve 3. High Nitrous Oxide - use of fossil fuels
microorganisms like bacteria and and fertilizers
viruses 4. Principal Halocarbons - CFC’s
2. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Theory- generated from refrigerator agents
absorbs part of the infrared radiation and other industrial process
in the air and returns it to the ground
keeping the air near the surface
warmer than it would be.
 Effects of Climate Change in SOCIETY
Within the next 50 years, glaciers will continue to melt faster.
Melting glaciers will increased flood risks
Declining crop yields due to drought especially at Africa
Ocean edification, direct result of rising CO2 levels, will have major effects on Marine Systems
Climate Change will increase worldwide deaths from malnutrition and heat stress.
Vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue could become more widespread
Rising Sea Levels that may result in more flooded areas
Ecosystems will be particularly vulnerable to Climate Change, with the study estimating that
around 15 to 40% of species face extinction with 2°C of warming.
It can also cause monsoons and El Niño
Melting or Collapse of ice sheets would raise sea levels and eventually threaten at least 4
million km2 of land, which today is home to 5% of the world's population.
THANK YOU!
MEMBERS:
CASTRO, KATE MARIE
CAVALES, ELEANOR MARY
CELESTE, JAN MARIE
DAGUINO. JENE MARIE
GUMSAT, AJ NICOLE
NEPALES, JASMIN