Reviewer for STS

TECHNOLOGY AND HUMANITY:  This article contains a number of observations about the information environment around us, with the
A POSITIVE SIDE intent that by understanding the way information works you will be better able to locate the truth
Material Standard of Living. Several achievements of modern society draw through the idea that life hidden within the data smog.
is getting better. One is the unparalleled rise in the material standard of living; the average citizen lives  1. The information industry is built on a certain quantity of information flow. -Whatever the medium -
more easily now than kings did centuries ago. Untimely Death is Reduced. Fewer people die in newspapers, TV news, book publishing, websites - the space must still be filled with whatever is
accidents, epidemics, and murder. A number of social evils have been decreased, such as poverty, available.
inequality, inequality, ignorance, and oppression. Improvement in Evolutionary View.  2. Information must compete. -A need exists for information to stand out and be recognized in the
 This view of development is typically part of evolutionary view, in which society is seen as a human increasing clutter, the data smog that surrounds us.
tool that is gradually perfected. Reduced Suffering.  3. The early word gets the perm. -The first media outlet to cover an issue often defines the terms,
 This traditional religious view of earthly life as a phase of penance awaiting paradise in the afterlife context, and attitudes surrounding it.
breaks the knowledge that life is getting better.  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.
NEGATIVE SIDE  5. Selection is a viewpoint. -If you want to receive a more-balanced view of reality, choose multiple
 Contemporary Social Problems. Life is getting worse is typically fueled by concern about sources for your information.
contemporary social problems. Society Drifting away from Human Nature. This view of deterioration  6. Newer is equated with truer. -We have lost the sense that any fact or value can endure.
is often part of the idea of society drifting away from human nature, because society has changed a lot,  7. The media sell what the culture buys. -In other words, information is shaped by cultural priorities.
while human nature has not.  8. You are what you eat and so is your brain. -If certain ideas are never presented to you, you cannot
draw adequate conclusions.
INFORMATION STAGE  9. All ideas are seen as controversial. -It is probably impossible to make any assertion that will not
 The Information Age (also known as the Computer Age, Digital Age, or New Media Age) is a historic find some supporters and some detractors.
period beginning in the late 20th century and characterized by the rapid shift from traditional industry  10. Anything in great demand will be counterfeited. -The demand for amazing knowledge, secrets,
that the Industrial Revolution brought through industrialization to an economy primarily based upon and scandals is ever present, and hence many events are fabricated by the tabloids, publicists, or other
information technology. agents of information fraud.
 The onset of the Information Age can be associated with the development of transistor technology  11. Undead information walks ever on. -Lies, hoaxes, misinformation, rumors, disinformation, and
which revolutionized modern technology and became the fundamental building block of digital garbled truth never really pass away. They continue to circulate.
electronics in the information age. The different areas of society have been influenced tremendously  12. To accuse is to convict, and possibility is proof. -Many people believe that no accusation would be
such as communication, economics, industry, health, and the environment. made without any basis, so that if an accusation is made, it must be true, at least in part.
 Despite our gains due to the growing development of information technology, the rapid upgrade of  13. The medium selects the message. -Television is mostly pictorial, partly aural, and very little
information also has disadvantages. textual, so visual stories are emphasized: fires, chases, disasters.
 This lesson will discuss the history and impact of technological advancements to the society.  14. Media presence creates the story. -When the media are present, especially film news or television
According to the United Nations Public Administration Network, the Information Age is formed by media, people behave much differently from the way they would if not being filmed.
capitalizing on computer microminiaturization advances.  15. Yours is not to reason why. Yours is to buy and buy. -As a commercial product, information is
 This usage of computing technology within the wider society has led to modernized information and subject to the same treatment as other consumer goods - packaging, marketing, competition,
communication processes becoming the driving force of social evolution. Information Age is the positioning, and hyping.
modern age regarded as a time in which information has become a commodity that is quickly and  16. The whole truth is a pursuit. -The information we receive comes to us filtered, selected, slanted,
widely disseminated and easily available especially through the use of computer technology verbally charged, and sometimes fabricated. What is left out is often even more important than what is
(Merriam-Webster). included.
TRUTHS OF THE INFORMATION AGE  17. Provenance Provides Probability.
Robert Harris - Because information today is a more complicated experience than it used to be, the
way we think about it must reflect greater sophistication in understanding its forms, purposes, effects,
and even its reasons for existence. GENETICALY MODIFIED ORGANISM
Reviewer for STS
 It is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. in India. Environmental Risk Genes may escape & find their way into other members of species or
GMOs are source of medicines, genetically modified foods, are widely used in scientific research & to other species. Imagine the trouble if herbicide resistant genes found their way into weeds.
produce other goods.  GM crops could compete or breed with wild species threatening biodiversity. Monogenetic crops may
 The first genetically modified mouse was produced in 1981, the first plant was produced in 1983, the not react sufficiently to environmental stresses, posing danger of reenactment of Ireland’s potato
first GM human (modified Mt DNA) was born on July 21, 1997. famine. Unintended harm to other species.
 Uses GMOs have wide arrays of applications in different fields of Biology. Human Gene Therapy  GM Labeling A proper labeling represents the “GM” word along with additional information on
Transgenic Plants (crops) Producing food quality traits Research use Microbes Mammals. changed characteristics & the external source of the inserted genes. Why is it necessary to label GM
HUMAN GENE THERAPY food? It is not about health issue rather; it is about consumer rights to make an informed choice on
 Gene therapy is a collection of methods that allows correction of a gene defect that has been GM.
diagnosed in a child/embryo. Here genes are inserted into a person’s cells and tissues to treat a  Economical Issue Risk of patent enforcement which may oblige farmers may to depend on giant
disease. engineering companies such as Monsanto for strains when their crops are pollinated.
 Correction of a genetic defect involves delivery of a normal gene into the individual or embryo to take  Patenting new plant varieties will raise the price of seeds so high that small farmers will not be able to
over the function of and compensate for the non-functional gene. afford seeds for GM crops, thus widening the gap between the wealthy and poor. GMO and Ethical
 Genetically Modified Crops Genetically modified crops (GM crops, or biotech crops) are plants used in Issues Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results when such organisms are
agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques. In most cases introduced into the ecosystem.
the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species.  The modification/usage of living organisms for public services (as food and medicine sources, for
Examples in food crops include resistance to certain pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, example) has also created problems with patents granted for the same. There is growing public anger
reduction of spoilage, or resistance to chemical treatments (e.g. resistance to a herbicide), or that certain companies are being granted patents for products and technologies that make use of the
improving the nutrient profile of the crop. Examples in non-food crops include production of genetic materials, plants and other biological resources that have long been identified, developed and
pharmaceutical agents, biofuels and other industrially useful goods Genetically Modified Food Foods used by farmers and indigenous people of a specific region/country.
produced from or using GM organisms are often referred to as GM foods.  Biopiracy is the term used to refer to the use of bio-resources by multinational companies and other
 GM foods are developed – and marketed – because there is some perceived advantage either to the organizations without proper authorization from the countries and people concerned without
producer or consumer of these foods. This is meant to translate into a product with a lower price, compensatory payment.
greater benefit (in terms of durability or nutritional value) or both. Initially GM seed developers  Most of the industrialized nations are rich financially but poor in biodiversity and traditional
wanted their products to be accepted by producers and have concentrated on innovations that bring knowledge. In contrast the developing and the underdeveloped world is rich in biodiversity and
direct benefit to farmers (and the food industry generally). traditional knowledge related to bio-resources.
 One of the objectives for developing plants based on GM organisms is to improve crop protection. The  There has been growing realization of the injustice, inadequate compensation and benefit sharing
GM crops currently on the market are mainly aimed at an increased level of crop protection through between developed and developing countries. Therefore, some nations are developing laws to
the introduction of resistance against plant diseases caused by insects or viruses or through increased prevent such unauthorized exploitation of their bio resources and traditional knowledge.
tolerance towards herbicides.
WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?
 Social Concerns Health Risks Environment Labeling GM food Economical issues Health Risks: Animals
Many scientific data indicate that animals fed by GM crops have been harmed. E.g. rats exposed to  Nanomaterials are the particles (crystalline or amorphous) of Organic or Inorganic materials having
GM potatoes and soya had abnormal young sperm. Cow, goats buffalo, pigs & other livestock grazing sizes in the range of 1-100 nm. Nano came from the Greek word “dwarf” means ‘billionth’. A
on Bt-maize & certain biotech corn showed complications including early delivery, abortions, infertility nanometer(nm)is a billionth of a meter. The concept of nanotechnology was first discussed in 1959 by
& many more died. Health Risks: Human Many companies do not accept the direct link between GMF Richard Feynman in his talk “there’s plenty of Room at the bottom. In 1974 Norio Taniguchi used the
consumption & human health problems. E.g. Foodborne diseases such as soya allergies have term nanotechnology for the first time. Innovative Applications of Nanotechnology
increased over the years in UK & USA. Many villagers & cotton handlers have developed skin allergies USES OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
Reviewer for STS
 We are using Nanotechnology in various fields because of their unusual Mechanical, Electrical,  Less waste on raw materials. Large sample testing will be done on a smaller scale and simultaneously
Optical and Magnetic properties. Carbon Nanotubes, Medicine, Information Technology, Nano use of raw materials will become more efficiency. Nanoscale chemical reagents (or catalysts) increase
robots’ nano sensors, Nano computers, Solar cells, Paper batteries the reaction rate and other efficiency of chemical reactions.
 Environmental monitoring and protection. Utilizing advanced nanotechnology, a detector was made
ADVANTAGES WITH NANOTECHNOLOGY
to detect a nuclear leak faster and more accurate at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
 We can create unique materials and products which are stronger, lighter, cheaper, durable and Which is one of the best radiation detectors in Washington and can sense the faintest amount of
precise. Industrial computers which made with nanomaterials can become a billion time faster and a radiation.
million-time smaller  Biological applications.
 Automatic pollution cleanup.  Developing ultra-small probes on planetary surfaces for agricultural applications and control of soil,
 Manufacturing at very low cost or no cost. air, and water contamination. Biomedical applications. This includes the medical diagnostic and
 In medical field - end of illness (i.e. Cancer, heart diseases) Universal immunity- such disease like treatments.
AIDS, flu CONSIDERATIONS OF POTENTIAL RISKS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED USING NANOPARTICLES:
 Body sculpturing- changing of our appearance  The major problem of nanomaterials is the nanoparticle analysis method. As nanotechnology
 Less pollution improves, new and novel nanomaterials are gradually developed. However, the materials vary by
 Mass production in food and consumables shape and size which are important factors in determining the toxicity. Lack of information and
Disadvantages methods of characterizing nanomaterials make existing technology extremely difficult to detect the
 Health and safety issues: Nano particles can cause serious illness or damage to human body. nanoparticles in air for environmental protection.
 Carbon Nanotubes could cause infection of lungs.  Also, information of the chemical structure is a critical factor to determine how toxic a nanomaterial
 Mass production in food and consumables is, and minor changes of chemical function group could drastically change its properties.
 . Oil and Diamonds could become worthless.  Full risk assessment of the safety on human health and environmental impact needs to be evaluated
at all stages of nanotechnology. The risk assessment should include the exposure risk and its
 Loss of jobs in manufacturing and farming etc.
probability of exposure, toxicological analysis, transport risk, persistence risk, transformation risk and
 Atomic weapons could be more accessible and destructive
ability to recycle. Life cycle risk assessment is another factor that can be used to predict the
 Creates social strife through increasing wealth gap.
environmental impacts.
 Nano pollution is created by toxic waste
 Good experimental design in advance of manufacturing a nanotechnology-based product can reduce
Reasons of the Difference Between Nanomaterials and Bulk Materials
the material waste.
 Nanoscaled particles have relatively larger surface area per unit mass which is the critical factor to
SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
increase mechanical modulus and other physical and chemical properties.
 Cleaner, more efficient industrial processes
 Basic material properties are changed at nanoscale due to the dominance of quantum effects and
 Improved ability to detect and eliminate pollution by improving air, water, and soil quality
lesser imperfections.
 High precision manufacturing by reducing amount of waste
CERTAIN AREAS OF MANUFACTURING CURRENTLY BENEFITING FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OF
 Clean abundant power via more efficient solar cells
NANOTECHNOLOGY:
 Removal of greenhouse gases and other pollutants from the atmosphere
 Energy consumption. The use of graphene into a coating material resulting in the need for only one
layer, which does not require a multifunctional film coating. Two applications for a graphene-based  Decreased need for large industrial plants
coating are to apply it to a blade used in wind turbines or on the body of an airplane. It saves the  Remediating environmental damages.
weight increasing efficiency. Negative Effects on Environment
 Cost saving on materials. An alternative energy method such as hybrid automobiles will decrease the  High energy requirements for synthesizing nanoparticles causing high energy demand
price by novel developments in nanotechnology.  Dissemination of toxic, persistent nanosubstances originating environmental harm
 Lower recovery and recycling rates
Reviewer for STS
 Environmental implications of other life cycle stages also not clear  NASA provides an excellent course module on the science of global warming. How does Global
 Lack of trained engineers and workers causing further concerns. Warming drive Climate Change? Heat is energy and when you add energy to any system changes
occur. Because all systems in the global climate system are connected, adding heat energy causes the
GENE THERAPY global climate as a whole to change. Much of the world is covered with ocean which heats up.
 a method that may treat or cure genetic-related human illnesses. There are two forms of gene  When the ocean heats up, more water evaporates into clouds. Where storms like hurricanes and
therapy. One is somatic gene therapy which involves the manipulation of genes in cells that will be typhoons are forming, the result is more energy-intensive storms.
helpful to the patient but not inherited to the next generation. The other is germline gene therapy  A warmer atmosphere makes glaciers and mountain snow packs, the Polar ice cap, and the great ice
which involves the genetic modification of germ cells or the origin cells that will pass the change to shield jutting off of Antarctica melt raising sea levels. Changes in temperature change the great
the next generation. There are many ethical issues on gene therapy. patterns of wind that bring the monsoons in Asia and rain and snow around the world, making
 Some of these issues are about questions on whose authority or power to decide which human traits drought and unpredictable weather more common.
should be altered: other concerns are on the discriminatory effects of those who may not or cannot  This is why scientists have stopped focusing just on global warming and now focus on the larger topic
avail gene therapy. of climate change.
WHAT CAUSES GLOBAL WARMING?
WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?  There are three positions on global warming: (1) that global warming is not occurring and so neither
 Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in the global climate. The global climate is the is climate change; (2) that global warming and climate change are occurring, but these are natural,
connected system of sun, earth and oceans, wind, rain and snow, forests, deserts and savannas, and cyclic events unrelated to human activity; and (3) that global warming is occurring as a result
everything people do, too. primarily of human activity and so climate change is also the result of human activity.
 The climate of a place, say New York, can be described as its rainfall, changing temperatures during  The claim that nothing is happening is very hard to defend in the face or masses of visual, land-based
the year and so on. But the global climate is more than the “average” of the climates of specific and satellite data that clearly shows rising average sea and land temperatures and shrinking ice
places. What is Global Warming? Global warming is the slow increase in the average temperature of masses.
the earth’s atmosphere because an increased amount of the energy (heat) striking the earth from the  The claim that the observed global warming is natural or at least not the result of human carbon
sun is being trapped in the atmosphere and not radiated out into space. emissions (see Climate Skeptics below) focuses on data that shows that world temperatures and
 The earth’s atmosphere has always acted like a greenhouse to capture the sun’s heat, ensuring that atmospheric CO2 levels have been equally high or higher in the past.
the earth has enjoyed temperatures that permitted the emergence of life forms as we know them,  They also point to the well understood effects of solar activity on the amount of radiation striking the
including humans. earth and the fact that in recent times the sun has been particularly active. In general, climate
 Without our atmospheric greenhouse the earth would be very cold. Global warming, however, is the scientists and environmentalists either (1) dispute the data based on, for example, new ice core data
equivalent of a greenhouse with high efficiency reflective glass installed the wrong way around. or (2) suggest that the timing issue – that is, the rapidity with which the globe has warmed and the
Ironically, the best evidence of this may come from a terrible cooling event that took place some climate changed simply do not fit the model of previous natural events.
1,500 years ago.  They note also that compared to other stars the sun is actually very stable, varying in energy output
 Two massive volcanic eruptions, one year after another placed so much black dust into the upper by just 0.1% and over a relatively short cycle of 11 to 50 years quite unrelated to global warming as a
atmosphere that little sunlight could penetrate. Temperatures plummeted. Crops failed. People died whole.
of starvation and the Black Death started its march.  The data strongly suggests that solar activity affects the global climate in many important ways, but is
 As the dust slowly fell to earth, the sun was again able to warn the world and life returned to normal. not a factor in the systemic change over time that we call global warming.
Today, we have the opposite problem.  As for the final position that global warming and climate change result from human activity (are
 Today, the problem is not that too little sun warmth is reaching the earth, but that too much is being “anthropogenic”), scientists attribute current atmospheric warming to human activities that have
trapped in our atmosphere. So much heat is being kept inside greenhouse earth that the temperature increased the amount of carbon containing gases in the upper atmosphere and to increased amounts of
tiny particles in the lower atmosphere. (NASA offers a good course module on “The Carbon
of the earth is going up faster than at any previous time in history.
Question.”) Specifically, gases released primarily by the burning of fossil fuels and the tiny particles
produced by incomplete burning trap the sun’s energy in the atmosphere.
Reviewer for STS
 Scientists call these gases “greenhouse gases” (GHGs) because they act like the wrong way reflective  Black carbon (BC) is tiny particles of carbon released as a result of the incomplete combustion of
glass in our global greenhouse. Scientists call the tiny particles ‘black carbon’ (you call it soot or fossil fuels, biofuels and biomass. These particles are extremely small, ranging from 10 µm
smoke) and attribute their warming effect to the fact that the resulting layer of black particles in the (micrometers, PM10), the size of a single bacterium to less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), one thirtieth the
lower atmosphere absorbs heat like a black blanket. width of a human hair and small enough to pass through the walls of the human lung and into the
 Scientists date the beginning of the current warming trend to the end of the 18th or beginning of the bloodstream.
19th century when coal first came into common use.  Although BC – think of the plume of smoke from a chimney or a fire – falls out of the lower
 This warming trend has accelerated as we have increased our use of fossil fuels to include gasoline, atmosphere in days, while it is suspended in the air, it absorbs the sun’s heat millions of times more
diesel, kerosene and natural gas, as well as the petrochemicals (plastics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers) effectively than CO2.
we now make from oil.  When wind carries BC over snow, glaciers or ice caps where it falls out onto the white, normally
 Scientists attribute the current warming trend to the use of fossil fuels because using them releases reflective surface, it is particularly damaging because it contributes directly to melting. Overall, BC is
into the atmosphere stores of carbon that were sequestered (buried) millions of years ago. considered the second biggest contributor to GLOBAL WARMING AFTER CO2.
 The addition of this “old” carbon to the world’s current stock of carbon, scientists have concluded, is WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCES OF GHGS AND BLACK CARBON?
what is heating our earth which causes global warming.  Fossil fuel and related uses of coal and petroleum are the most important sources of GHGs and black
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT GREENHOUSE GASES (GHGS)? carbon (power generation, industry, transportation, buildings).
 The most common and most talked about greenhouse gases is CO2 or carbon dioxide. In fact, because  Agriculture is the second most important source (animals – cows and pigs), feed production, chemical
it is so common, scientists use it as the benchmark or measure of things that warm the atmosphere. intensive food production, and flooded paddy rice production, as well as deforestation driven by the
 Methane, another important GHG, for example, is 28-36 times as warming as CO2 when in the upper desire to expand cultivated areas.
atmosphere (USEPA GWP – Global Warming Potential – estimate over 100 years), therefore, 1 ton of  New studies suggest that agriculture is the largest contributor of particulate emissions in the US and
methane = 28-36 tons eCO2 or CO2 equivalents. other developed agricultural countries.) Natural sources of GHGs and black carbon include forest
The most commonly discussed GHGs are: fires, savanna fires and volcanos.
 CO2 or carbon dioxide is produced any time something is burned. It is the most common GHG,
constituting by some measures almost 55% of total long-term GHGs. It is used as a marker by the WHAT EVIDENCE DO WE HAVE OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
United States Environmental Protection Agency, for example, because of its ubiquity.
 The most compelling climate change evidence scientists have of climate change is long term data
 Carbon dioxide is assigned a GWP or Global Warming Potential of 1. Methane or CH4 is produced in relating atmospheric CO2 levels and global temperature, sea level, the expanse of ice, the fossil record
many combustion processes and also by anaerobic decomposition, for example, in flooded rice and the distribution of species.
paddies, pig and cow stomachs, and pig manure ponds.
 This data, which goes back millions of years, shows a strong correlation between CO2 levels and
 Methane breaks down in approximately 10 years, but is a precursor of ozone, itself an important GHG. temperature. Recent data shows a trend of increasing temperature and rising CO2 levels beginning in
CH4 has a GWP of 28-36. the early 19th century. Because all parts of the global climate are connected, scientists have been able
 Nitrous oxide in parean (laughing gas), NO/N2O or simply NOx is a byproduct of fertilizer production to create models of how changes caused by heating should work their way through the entire system
and use, other industrial processes and the combustion of certain materials. Nitrous oxide lasts a very and appear in different areas, for example, sea level, intemperate weather, the movement of fish species
long time in the atmosphere, but at the 100-year point of comparison to CO2, its GWP is 265-298. in the ocean.
 Fluorinated gases were created as replacements for ozone depleting refrigerants, but have proved to be  Testing whether or not predicted changes have occurred is an important way to verify underlying
both extremely long lasting and extremely warming GHGs. They have no natural sources, but are theory. This can be done in two ways.
entirely man-made. At the 100-year point of comparison, their GWPs range from 1,800 to 8,000 and  First, it is possible to load a model with historical data and ask: how well does this model predict what
some variants top 10,000. we know happened? NASA and other scientific agencies have done this and found that the models
 Sulphur hexafluoride or SF6 is used for specialized medical procedures, but primarily in what are work well.
called dielectric materials, especially dielectric liquids. These are used as insulators in high voltage  A second way to test is to use the model to predict upcoming changes and then to see if emerging
applications such as transformers and grid switching gear. SF6 will last thousands of years in the upper reality fits. It is possible to track the rapid retreat of glaciers and observe the summer melting of the
atmosphere and has a GWP of 22,800. Polar Ice Cap.
WHAT IS BLACK CARBON AND HOW DOES IT CAUSE GLOBAL WARMING?
Reviewer for STS
 Sea levels are rising measurably, the temperature of the world’s oceans is demonstrably rising and  Still, others who are extremely passionate about this issue become activists. They might march in
consequently many fish species are moving to follow waters that are the right temperature for them. protests or organize rallies/events. As we can see, environmental awareness takes many forms, and
 Correlating these changes to the timing of rises in CO2 levels and temperature suggests relationship. each person must figure out what specific practices work for them.
NASA provides a good visual tool for viewing these relational models “in action”.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
 In specific instances, for example, CO2 levels, temperature and ocean pH, the chemical processes are
traceable proving direct causal connection. 1. What are the two negative sides of Technology and Humanity?
 Maybe some of you have seen posters, ads, and the like carrying the exhortation ''Go Green!'' But, - Contemporary Social problem
what does it mean to ''go green''? - Society drifting away from human nature
 It takes a variety of forms, but essentially, going green means being mindful of the natural environment 2. Is the human race, which includes everyone on Earth. It is also a word for the qualities that makes
and making economic choices that aren't harmful to the earth. For example, this might mean humans.
purchasing a glass or ceramic water bottle instead of using disposable plastic water bottles. - Humanity
 Plastic takes an incredibly long time to break down, and a significant percentage of plastic makes it to 3. What are the current events, policies, and developments that impact society?
the oceans, where it kills plant and animal life. - Poverty
 Going green might also involve using an all-natural hair-care product, instead of a can of aerosol spray - Inequality
containing toxic chemicals. When people ''go green,'' they are practicing environmental awareness. The - Political Turbulence
term means exactly what you expect it to: being aware of the natural environment and making choices 4. This view of deterioration is often part of the idea of society drifting away from nature, because society
that benefit--rather than hurt--the earth. has changed a lot, while human nature has not.
 In recent years, environmental awareness has gained increased attention. It is fair to say it has become - Society drifting away from human nature
a bit of a trend: from environmentally friendly tiny homes to organic food, environmental awareness is 5. It concerns the ethical problems that occur with robots.
a hot topic. - Robot Ethics
 However, it is nothing new and it ought to be more than just a passing fad because of its importance. 6. A hypothetical end of the world scenario which self- replicating nanorobots consume all matter of
 Let's dig deeper and learn more about environmental awareness. Examples Homes We have already themselves.
cited a few examples of environmental awareness, but let's look at a few more. Environmentally - Grey-Goo Theory
friendly homes and building materials are a great place to start. 7. What is the title of the famous essay of Bill Joy?
 In recent years, advanced nations have become more aware of harmful building materials, such as - Why does the future doesn’t need us
asbestos, lead-based paint, lead pipes, and others. 8. Modern technologies like genetics nanotechnology and robotics have the potential to ----- and -----.
 People can demonstrate environmental awareness by choosing to use building materials that are natural - Self-replicate and cause massive destruction
and that do not hurt the environment. Wood, stone, brick, copper, and other materials are excellent 9. The following are the outcome of Science and Technology except for:
choices. - Decreased efficiency and quality of life
 Conserving Energy and Water Going along with the home theme, conserving energy is another way to 10. Who is the American computer scientist who co-founded Sun Microsystems in 1982?
demonstrate environmental awareness. One easy way to conserve energy is to turn off lights when not - Bill Joy
in use. Some people even install solar panels and other types of alternative energy sources. 11. A branch of engineering that involves the conception, design, manufacture, and operation of robots.
- Robotics
 There is much potential for solar power to become mainstream and efficient in the future. Going along
12. The addition, deletion, or manipulation of a single trait or gene or DNA in an organism to create a
with energy conservation is water conservation.
desired change.
 People should be mindful to not waste water by leaving the faucet running while brushing teeth. Water
- Genetic engineering
is a valuable natural resource that we often take for granted.
13. A distinct human cultural activity in which human beings exercise freedom and responsibility in
 In many parts of the world, clean water is scarce. Being mindful of this is a huge step in demonstrating
response to God by forming and transforming the natural creation, with the aid of tools and purposes.
environmental awareness. Purchases, Recycling, and Activism.
- Technology
 Some people choose to buy clothing and products that contain natural fibers/materials, rather than 14. A machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially are
synthetic ones. Obviously, recycling is another huge part of demonstrating environmental awareness. programmable by a computer.
Reviewer for STS
- Robots
15. Why does nanotechnology result in potential job losses?
- Firms will demand engineers to integrate new ideas into processes and products.
- Firms will become dependent on technology
16. One of the ethical dilemmas of Technology, Robots, it poses a threat to humans in the long run or short
run.
- True
17. They do not possess human attributes such as compassion resulting in patients losing empathy,
kindness, and appropriate behavior.
- Robotic Physicians and Nurses
18. How does scientific research contribute to an improvement in evolutionary understanding?
- By providing insights into genetic mechanism
19. What initiatives help in reducing suffering among individuals and communities?
- Healthcare interventions and social welfare programs
20. What factors contribute to an improvement in material standard of living?
- Through vaccinations and medical treatments
21. Gene inactivation refers to turning off certain gene to help address an issue. This approach is often
used in research to study the function of particular genes or to develop potential treatments for genetic
disorders.
- True
22. The human genome is approximately 3 billion base pairs long.
- True
23. These are mutations or changes in genes can lead to genetic disorders or diseases.
- Genetic Disorders
24. It is organized into chromosomes which are made up of genes that serve as the basic units of heredity.
- DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
25. It is a proper labeling that represents that GM word along with additional information on changed
characteristics & the external source of the inserted genes.
- GM Labeling
26. What does GMC stand for?
- Genetically Modified Crop
27. Are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering
techniques?
- Genetically modified crop
28. What is GMO?
- An organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
29. When was the first genetically modified mouse produced?
- 1961