CHAPTER 3
SPECIFIC ISSUES IN SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY
LESSON 1: THE INFORMATION AGE
INTRODUCTION
A project refers to a sequence of tasks that are carefully
planned and executed to achieve a specific objective. Projects
are essential in various fields, such as business, engineering,
and education, and often require collaboration and resources.
Each project has a start and an end, along with defined goals
and deliverables. The success of a project is usually
determined by how effectively the team meets the objectives
within the allocated time and resources.
HISTORY
A project refers to a sequence of tasks that are
carefully planned and executed to achieve a specific
objective. Projects are essential in various fields, such
as business, engineering, and education, and often
require collaboration and resources. Each project has a
start and an end, along with defined goals and
deliverables.
DIFFERENT AUTHORS HAVE DIVERSE
Different authors have diverse, contrasting
ideas on the evolution of the Information
Age. In spite of this, we can still say that
information is a very important tool that
helps improve our way of life.
FIGURE 7. EVOLUTION OF MAN
AND INFORMATION
As man evolved, information and its dissemination has also evolved
in many ways. It started to grow at a rate we were unprepared to
handle. Because of the abundance of information, it was difficult to
collect and manage them starting in the 1960s and 1970s. During
the 1980s, Richard Wurman called it “Information Anxiety.” In the
1990s, information became the currency in the business world.
In his article "Truths of the Information Age" (n.d.), Robert Harris
detailed some facts on the Information Age.
1. Information must compete.
2. Newer is equated with truer.
3. Selection is a viewpoint.
4. The media sells what the culture buys.
5. The early word gets the perm.
6. You are what you eat and so is your brain.
7. Anything in great demand will be counterfeited.
8. Ideas are seen as controversial.
9. Undead information walks ever on.
10. Media presence creates the story.
11. The medium selects the message.
12. The whole truth is a pursuit.
COMPUTER
A computer is an electronic device that can
store, process, and manipulate data
according to a set of instructions, called a
program. These programs provide the step-
by-step directions for the computer to solve
problems or perform tasks. The computer
can then execute these instructions, acting
upon the data it stores and manipulates.
TYPES OF COMPUTER
Computers come in various types,
defined by their size, intended use, and
processing power. The general idea of a
computer is a device that takes user
input, processes it, and displays the
output.
HERE ARE THE MAIN TYPES:
•Personal Computer
•Desktop Computer
•Laptops
•Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
•Server
•Mainframes
•Wearable Computers
THE WORLD WIDE WEB
(INTERNET)
Several historians trace the Internet's origins to
Claude Shannon, an American mathematician
known as the "Father of Information Theory." At
age 32, while working at Bell Laboratories, he
published a paper suggesting that information
could be encoded using ones and zeroes.
The Internet began in the 1970s, developed
by the U.S. Department of Defense for
secure communication. First used by
scientists and controlled by the
government until 1984, it faced slow speeds
due to phone lines. Later, fiber-optic cables
and faster processors improved its
performance.
Sergey Brin and Larry Page created a search
engine at Stanford that ranked results by
popularity. With $1 million in funding, they
launched Google in 1998. Today, it's the most
popular search engine, handling over 200
million daily searches. Around the same time,
email became a popular way to send
messages quickly to others.
APPLICATION OF COMPUTERS IN
SCIENCE AND RESEARCH
A project is a series of planned tasks
with a clear objective, often involving
multiple steps. It can be carried out by
individuals or teams and is designed to
achieve specific outcomes within a set
timeframe.
HOW TO CHECK THE RELIABILITY OF
WEB SOURCES
The internet contains a vast collection
of highly valuable information but it
may also contain unreliable information
that mislead people.
The following quidelines help us check the reliability of web
sources:
1. Who is the author of the article/site?
2. Who published the site?
3. What is the main purpose of the site? Why did the Author
write it and why did the publisher post it?.
4. Who is the intended Audience?
5. What is the quality of information provided on the website?
Examples of useful And Reliable web sources.
1. American Memory
2. Cyber Bullying
3. History Site with Primary documents
4. Chronicling American
SUMMARY
A computer is an electronic device that can store,
process, and manipulate data according to a set
of instructions, called a program. These programs
provide the step-by-step directions for the
computer to solve problems or perform tasks. The
computer can then execute these instructions,
acting upon the data it stores and manipulates.
THANK YOU
Biodiversity and
Healthy, Society
Lesson 2
Introduction
Biodiversity and Ecosystem
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change in biodiversity
A change in biodiversity could have erratic effects not only in
wildlife or marine life but also in human beings. Humans
inhabiting the forest would disturb the natural order of life.
The animals, insects, and all types of life forms in the cleared
area would either be displaced or most likely be killed. The
loss of these life forms could affect the entire ecosystem.
Consequences of Biodiversity loss
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laborum.
Threats to Biodiversity
Biodiversity faces significant threats as identified
by the United Nations' Environment Programme.
The main threats include:
• Habitat loss and destruction
• Alterations in ecosystem composition
• Over-exploitation
• Pollution and contamination
• Global climate change
Nutritional impact of Biodiversity
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non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est
laborum.
Health, Biology, and Biodiversity
Living organisms rely on the environment for basic needs like air,
water, food, and shelter. Human evolution improved through better
access to these needs. Advances in agriculture, sanitation, and
hygiene have greatly improved health—more than medical
technology. However, the environment can also cause diseases,
and the lack of basic necessities leads to many deaths.
People depend on biodiversity and the ecosystem for
their daily needs like clean water, healthy food, and
fuel for transport. Many of these natural processes go
unnoticed, yet they are essential for our survival. If we
fail to care for the ecosystem, we risk our own well-
being. A decline in biodiversity can directly affect our
basic needs and indirectly impact jobs, income, and
even lead to conflicts.
Environment- Related illnesses
Some human illnesses that are found to be related with it's environment
include Parkinson's disease, heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, obesity, occupational injuries, dysentery,
arthritis, malaria, and depression.
By contrast, activities that promote health and extend human life could have
adverse environment effects. For example, food production causes
environmental damage from pesticides and fertilizer, soil salinization, waste
produced by livestock, carbon emissions from foods manufacturing and
transportation, deforestation, and overfishing. Health care facilities also have
adverse environmental impacts. Hospitals use large quantities of electricity,
and fossils fuels and produce medical wastes. To prevent some diseases, it
may be necessary to alter environment.
SUMMARY
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THANK YOU!
GENETICALLY MODIFIED
ORGANISMS: SCIENCE,
HEALTH, AND POLITICS
Lesson 3
INTRODUCTION
A gene is a section of DNA (genetic code).
Our genetic code is a blueprint for our bodies.
Just like how different LEGO blocks can create
different structures, our DNA determines how
our bodies are built and function.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED
ORGANISMS
Errors in DNA replication during cell division.
Exposure to mutagens (radioactive substances, x-
rays, ultraviolet radiation and certain chemicals).
Viral infections and other infectious agents.
GMOS IN FOOD AND
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES
Errors in DNA replication during cell division.
Exposure to mutagens (radioactive substances, x-
rays, ultraviolet radiation and certain chemicals).
Viral infections and other infectious agents.
GMOS IN NON-FOOD CROPS AND
MICROORGANISMS
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are used
in various non-food applications, including:
1. Flower Production: GMOs enhance flower color
and longevity, such as blue roses that are
engineered to produce specific pigments.
2. Paper Production: Trees like poplar are modified
to improve paper yield by altering lignin, making it
easier to break down during processing.
3. Pharmaceutical Production: Plants like periwinkle
are genetically modified to produce important
drugs, such as vinblastine for cancer treatment.
4. Bioremediation: Modified plants, such as shrub
tobacco, are used to clean polluted sites by
accumulating heavy metals and other contaminants.
5. Enzyme and Drug Production: Microorganisms like
genetically modified Bacillus are used to produce
enzymes for food processing, while artemesin, used
for malaria treatment, can be synthesized using
modified yeast and bacteria.
6. Medical Applications: Genetic engineering has
revolutionized drug production and treatments,
notably for diabetes, through the development of
human insulin using modified bacteria.
BENEFITS OF GMOS
Studies show some of the potential benefits of GMOs
Higher efficiency in farming. with the use of-pesticide-
resistant/herbicide-tolerant GMO crops, there willbe les
use for herbicides/pesticides, and lower cost for labor and
cultivation
Increase in harvest- GMO crops [Link]
pestsand diseases means increase in potential
growth and harvest.
Control in fertility - controlling the purity of
the hybrid seeds (GMO sceds) ensures higher
yields.
Increase in food processing- altered characteristics of GMO crops help ease
food processing.
Improvement of desirable characteristics-GMOs
offer longer shelflife, enhanced color and taste,
enhanced production of reduction of enzymes,
and other modified characteristics of plants,
animals, and microorganisms.
POTENTIAL RISKS OF GMOs
Despite the promising claims o f GMOs , the oponents of GMOs claim otherwise .
For Example , there are studies that show a link in the adaption of Pesticide-
ressistant GMOs crop to the significant growth of super weeds that became
Pesticide - ressistant , too. This caused additional problem to more than 12
Million acres of farms in the United States.
MANGGUILIMOTAN
Opponents of Gmos have the following major concerns.
1. Since generitic engeneering is still a young branch of science , there are inadiquate
studies in the effect of GMOs to human and the environment.
2. Genetic engeneering promotes mutation in organism which the long term effect is
still unknown.
Human consumption of GMOs might have the following effects.
• More allergic reactions- GMO food may trigger more allergic reactions, mor so create
new ones, a side effect of the gene alteration
• Gene mutation - GMO food may develop abnormalities and mutation , more than the
desired product of tha gene alteration.
• Antibiotic resistance - GMO food contains antibiotic resistant genes; this may cause
disease - causing bacteria likely to be more antibiotic resistant too, increasing the
possibility of widespread of the disease.
• Nutritional Value - GMO food may have change in their nutritional value.
end.
POTENTIAL RISKS OF GMOS
Errors in DNA replication during cell division.
Exposure to mutagens (radioactive substances, x-
rays, ultraviolet radiation and certain chemicals).
Viral infections and other infectious agents.
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENT RISKS
CAUSED BY GMOS
Errors in DNA replication during cell division.
Exposure to mutagens (radioactive substances, x-
rays, ultraviolet radiation and certain chemicals).
Viral infections and other infectious agents.
POTENTIAL HUMAN HEALTH RISKS
CAUSED BY GMOS
Errors in DNA replication during cell division.
Exposure to mutagens (radioactive substances, x-
rays, ultraviolet radiation and certain chemicals).
Viral infections and other infectious agents.
BIOSAFETY ON GMOS
• The Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). Codex is
intergovernmental body that develops the Codex Alimentar
known as the International Food Code. Codex is responsib
the development of standards, codes of practices, guideline
and recommendations on food safety. Codex has develope
principles for the human health risk analysis of genetically
modified (GM) food products. .
••Cartagena
CartagenaProtocol
ProtocolononBiosafety.
[Link]
Establishedinin2003,
2003,isisan
an
international
internationalenvironmental
environmentaltreaty
treatythat
thatregulates
regulatesthe
thetransboundary
transboundary
movements
movementsof ofLiving
LivingModified
ModifiedOrganisms
Organisms(LMOs).
(LMOs).
• International Trade Agreement on labeling of GM food and
food products. The agreement requires exporters of GM food
and food products to label their products and give rights to
importing parties to reject or accept the GM products.
•The World Health Organization (WHO, 2014) claims that all GM
products that are available in the international market have passed
safety assessment by national authorities.
GMOS IN PHILIPPINE CONTEXT
Exposure to mutagens (radioactive substances, x-
rays, ultraviolet radiation and certain chemicals).
Exposure to mutagens (radioactive substances, x-
rays, ultraviolet radiation and certain chemicals).
Viral infections and other infectious agents.
SUMMARY
A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is an
organism whose genetic material has been
altered through genetic engineering. This
alteration involves modifying the DNA in a way
that doesn't occur naturally through mating or
natural recombination. GMOs encompass
plants, animals, and microorganisms.
