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Science as a Human Endeavour
Key concept 1
Communication and Collaboration
Science is a global enterprise that relies on clear
communication, international conventions, and review and
verification of results.
Collaboration between scientists, governments and other
agencies is often required in scientific research and
enterprise.
Key concept 2
Development
• Development of complex scientific models and/or
theories often requires a wide range of evidence from many
sources and across disciplines.
• New technologies improve the efficiency of scientific
procedures and data collection and analysis. This can
reveal new evidence that may modify or replace models,
theories, and processes.
Key concept 3
Influence
Advances in scientific understanding in one field can
influence and be influenced by other areas of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The acceptance and use of scientific knowledge can be
influenced by social, economic, cultural, and ethical
considerations.
Key concept 4
Application and Limitation
Scientific knowledge, understanding, and inquiry can enable
scientists to develop solutions, make discoveries, design action for
sustainability, evaluate economic, social, and environmental
impacts, offer valid explanations, and make reliable predictions.
The use of scientific knowledge may have beneficial or
unexpected consequences; this requires monitoring, assessment,
and evaluation of risk, and provides opportunities for innovation.
Science informs public debate and is in turn influenced by public
debate; at times, there may be complex, unanticipated variables
or insufficient data that may limit possible conclusions.
Discuss how this example demonstrate one or more key concepts of science as a
human endeavour
Scientists for some time have been working on specific RNA
molecules in the hope of turning them into therapies for
particular human diseases such as Huntington disease. RNA-
based drugs could actually treat a host of genetic diseases by
intervening in the cellular process that turns DNA’s messages
into proteins. However, due to the highly effective human
immune system it has been difficult to sneak these RNA
molecules past the body’s defenses and into desired tissue
while avoiding toxic effects from their delivery vehicles.
Recently, two biotechnology companies and Ionic
Pharmaceuticals both reported success with early clinical trials
to treat inherited genetic disorders and Huntington disease. It
is hoped that several ongoing clinical trials will test messenger
CC
Suggested answer: D
A&L
Scientists for some time have been working on
specific RNA molecules in the hope of turning them into therap
ies for particular human diseases such as Huntington disease
.
RNA-based drugs could actually treat a host of genetic disease
s by intervening in the cellular process that turns DNA’s messa
ges into proteins.
However, due to the highly effective human immune system it
has been difficult to sneak these RNA molecules past the
body’s defenses and into desired tissue while avoiding toxic
effects from their delivery vehicles. Recently, two
biotechnology companies and Ionic Pharmaceuticals both
reported success with
Evidence
Suggested answer: Link to concept
Communication and collaboration
• Scientists for some time have been working on specific RNA molecules to be
used as treatment for human genetic conditions suggest that there is constant
collaboration between scientists to find a cure.
• Collaboration between scientists is often required in scientific research to
produce a qualified results. Communication of scientists about the research
through scientific conventions and verification of trial results is evident when
two biotechnology companies and a pharmaceutical companies reported
success with early clinical trials to treat genetic disorder and Huntington
disease.
• This clear communication will create an opportunity to other scientists and
companies to venture into the research of RNA molecules as treatment for
genetic conditions.
Evidence
Suggested answer: Link to concept
Development
• Knowledge about RNA molecules and protein synthesis lead to the discovery
of using specific RNA molecules as therapies for treating human diseases
such as Huntington disease
• Development of RNA-based drugs to treat host genetic diseases by
mechanism targeting cellular processes such as transcription or translation
requires wide range of evidence from many sources and discipline such as
from protein synthesis (biochemical mechanism), immune system
(immunology) and genetic conditions (medical)
Evidence
Suggested answer: Link to concept
Application and Limitation
• Scientific knowledge and understanding about RNA and genetic conditions enable scientists
to develop solution to treat medical conditions in human.
• Success reported by the biotechnology companies through the early clinical trials to treat
inherited genetic conditions and Huntington disease offers a reliable predictions on the
efficiency of the treatment using RNA-based drugs
• The current research is hoped to explore the use of messenger RNA to produce therapeutic
proteins that allow treatment from a person’s own body cells.
• However, since the research is still under ongoing clinical trial, thus there is a limitation to
conclude on the exact efficiency of the RNA-based drug to successfully treat genetic
conditions in human.
