1ST SEM FINAL EXAMINATION: REVIEWER
GEED07: Science, Technology, and Society
DVM 1B | PROF. Hyzel P. Agliam | SEM 1 2022
LESSON 7: GOOD LIFE
THE NICHOMACHEAN ETHICS (NE or EN)
● by Aristotle
● good can be classified as either
instrumental good or intrinsic good.
● The intrinsic good or the ultimate good,
is considered to be better than the
instrumental good because it is goodness in
itself while the instrumental good is using
others or something else to come up with
the good.
EUDAIMONIA: THE ULTIMATE GOOD
1. PLEASURE
➢ Can pleasure be the ultimate good? No.
➢ Pleasure cannot be the ultimate good
because it does not encompass all the
aspects of life.
2. WEALTH
➢ Can wealth be the ultimate good? No.
➢ Many people would aim to be rich or
financially stable. However, is it also
common for people to say that they
would want to be rich in order to achieve
something else.
3. FAME AND HONOR
➢ Can fame and honor be the ultimate
good? No.
➢ Many people today seem to be
motivated by a desire to be known,
however, these cannot constitute the
ultimate good because they are based
on the perception of others. Fame and
honor can never be good in themselves.
4. HAPPINESS
➢ Can happiness be the ultimate good?
Yes.
➢ In the Aristotelian sense, happiness is
living well and doing well. Among the
Greeks, this is known as Eudaimonia
and came from the root words eu
meaning good and daimon meaning
spirit.
➢ Eudaimonia transcends all aspects of
life for it is about living well and doing
well in whatever one does. Happiness
transcends all things, is permanent and
not based on the judgment of others
therefore, happiness or eudaimonia is
the ultimate good.
Eudaimonia: Uniquely Human?
● Eudaimonia according to Aristotle is a
unique function of human because
accordingly, it can only be achieved through
rationality or the wise use of the mind and
judgment
TRIPARTITE SOUL
● Conceptualized by Aristotle
● He claimed here that humans should have
rationality.
Arête and Human Happiness
● Eudaimonia is what defines a good life and
a good and happy life is achieved by living a
life of virtue.
● Intellectual virtue or virtue of thought is
achieved through education, time and
experience.
● Moral virtue or virtue of character is
achieved through habitual practice. Some of
the key moral virtues are generosity,
temperance and courage.
● Rationality balances virtue.
Good Life and Technological Progress
● Living a good life in the times of scientific
and
technological
progress
is
not
impossible. By using our intellect, without
losing our rationality and morality as
humans, we can develop materials and
advanced mechanisms that could further
help in improving and solving the present
problems of the society through science and
technology.
LESSON 8: WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND
HUMANITY CROSS
BOOK: THE YEAR 2000
● Herman Kahn & Anthony J. Wiener
● It was said in the book that 100
technological innovations will be made in
the span of 30 years (2030)
● In 2020, some predictions from the book
came true (gene, multimedia, etc.)
TECHNOLOGICAL OPTIMISM
➢ It is the belief that technological
advancements and innovations will sustain
human life as the human population
continues to increase.
Negative implications in advancing science and
technology can also have negative implications
or effects.
1. Atomic Bombing in Nagasaki, Japan
➢ This happened during World War II; the
war between Japan and US
➢ Albert
Einstein
Concept
(Atomic
Bombing)
➢ Components: Nuclear & Radiation
➢ The US first bombed Heroshima, Japan.
After 3 days, they bombed Nagasaki.
➢ After Effects of Atomic Bombing:
Triggers cancer cells
2. Human Genome Project
➢ Genetic Modified Organisms
➢ “Designer Babies” - gene that has bad
characteristics will be edited
➢ CRISPR CAS9 - edits genes by
precisely cutting DNA and then letting
natural DNA repair processes to take
over
➢ In 2018, there was a Chinese scientist
who saw a HIV gene from a baby. By
then, embryology gene editing takes
place. Healthy twins were born and they
are now resistant to HIV. They also
have high IQ, but have high risks of
getting cancer. The scientist and her
team got jailed.
3. Using diesel-powered automobiles and
coal-powered plants
➢ Evidence of climate change: Strong
typhoons
➢ Satellite image of Typhoon Haiyan or
Yolanda, the strongest typhoon in
history passing through the Philippine
archipelago on November 2013
➢ Masinloc Coal Power Plant located in
Masinloc, Zambales
4. Construction of Dams
➢ Disadvantages: (1) Dams can disrupt
spawning of fishes and limit the flow of
natural water to downstream water
sources such as rivers and streams. (2)
Dislocation/Displacement, (3) Reduces
the productivity of organisms, (4)
Ecological imbalances. (5) Floods
➢ Advantages: (1) Reservoir of water, (2)
produces electricity/hydropower
5. Agent Orange
➢ U.S. helicopter spraying defoliant in
dense jungle during the Vietnam War,
1969 (herbicide)
➢ The primary goal of US were to reduce
Vietnam's plants/trees and kill their
crafts
➢ Human who inhaled got affected by this,
it even passed down to other generation
(lumiliit, kulang body parts, mobility
difficulties)
6. ILOVEYOU Virus
➢ The infamous cyber attack made by
Filipino IT student, Onel de Guzman,
affected millions of computers worldwide
including systems of the Pentagon (US
Military
Base)
and
the
British
Parliament.
➢ Thesis proposal about virus that got
disapproved
Protecting Humanity from Negative Effects of
Technology
1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(Article 27)
➢ This document affirms everyone’s right
to participate in and benefit from
scientific advances, and be protected
from scientific advances, and be
protected from scientific misuses. The
right to the benefits of science comes
under the domain of “culture” so it is
usually examined from a cultural rights
perspective
2. UNESCO Recommendation on the Status
of Scientific Researchers - 1974 (Article
4)
➢ This document affirms that all advances
in scientific and technological knowledge
should solely be geared towards the
welfare of the global citizens, and
calls upon member states to develop
necessary protocol and policies to
monitor and secure this objective.
Countries are asked to show that
science and technology are integrated
into policies that aim to ensure a more
humane and just society
3. UNESCO Declaration on the Use of
Scientific Knowledge - 1999 (Article 33)
➢ This document states, “Today, more
than
ever,
science
and
its
applications are indispensable for
development. All levels of government
and the private sector should provide
enhanced support for building up an
adequate and evenly distributed
scientific and technological capacity
through appropriate education and
research
programs
as
an
indispensable foundation for economic,
social, cultural and environmentally
sound development. This is particularly
urgent for developing countries. This
declaration encompasses issues such
as pollution - free production, efficient
resource use, biodiversity protection and
brain drains.
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LESSON 9: WHY THE FUTURE DOESN'T NEED
US?
THE BRAVE NEW WORLD
● A world with pure technology and no sexual
engagements (meaning all humans are
product of science and techology)
● Written by Aldous Huxley in 1932
● It said to represent the future of our society
ASIMO
➢ the world’s most advanced technology
➢ ASIMO is a humanoid robot created by
Honda in 2000.
➢ It is displayed in the Miraikan museum in
Tokyo, Japan.
WHY THE FUTURE DOES NOT NEED US?
● The most advanced technologies created
by humans such as robotics, genetic
engineering and nanotechnology threatened
the human species to go extinct.
● AI (artificial intelligence) and robotics
may lead to robotic rebellion and kill
humanity.
● Genetic engineering may create new
crops and potentially super species such as
mutants and superbugs.
● Nanotechnology may be used to create
super weaponry and advanced biological
weaponry.
Government may not disclose confidential
information to the public therefore humanity
may not be prepared for the worst.
Computers are practically controlling
everything in society from the stock market
to entertainment.
Robots become more and more common
displacing skilled human workforce.
Robotic technology and their applications
to our everyday lives as human beings
based on the article written by Goel.
Robots - in the military (used for
surveillance and disarming bombs.)
● in the medical field ( used in surgery and
drug administration)
● cooking robots
● Robots (used as teachers)
● Robots (as friends)
LESSON 10: INFORMATION AGE
●
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The information age has heavily influenced
the way people connect with each other.
It
allowed
information
relay
and
communication to be done in a much easier
and convenient way compared to methods
used in the past eras.
GUTENBERG PRESS
● It was the pioneer of communication and
laying information
● The Gutenberg Press was one of the most
cost-effective inventions created during the
Renaissance period.
● It made a historic impact on society
because people were able to print hundreds
of books copied at a fast rate.
● Through it, information spread at a cheaper
and faster rate, thus, making it more
accessible to the public. Over the centuries,
the printing press was further refined,
allowing for different methods to print and
reproduce texts.
THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
● Mark Zuckerberg - the developer of
Facebook social media application
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Friendster in 2002
Myspace in 2003
Facebook, Twitter, IG in 2004
The ever - increasing presence of social
media is clearly felt in society.
Noyes (2020) estimated that there are 2.74
billion active Facebook users worldwide as
of October 2020.
The Philippines, on the other hand,
accounts to 83 million Facebook users as
of May 1, 2021 (statista, n.d.).
Social media has influenced almost every
aspect of society with even institutions using
different social media platforms for various
purposes.
2.934 billion Number of Facebook users in
the world (monthly active users): 2.934
billion (July 2022) Number of people who
use Facebook each day (DAU): 1.968
billion (July 2022)
83.85 million users Facebook users in the
Philippines in 2022 Data published in Meta's
advertising
resources
indicates
that
Facebook had 83.85 million users in the
Philippines in Feb 15, 2022
ADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA
● Social media currently plays a large role in
the advertising industry.
● Social media can also help people engage
in political matters.
● Social media has also allowed people to
express their opinions on virtually
anything for other people to read.
● Social media is ultimately used as a means
for leisure and most users used it to
connect with family, friends and loved
ones
DISADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA
● One primary problem encountered by many
social media users is the issue of privacy
and identity theft.
● Cyberbullying is also an issue associated
with social media. According to the National
Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS, 2013), it
is estimated that 22 million students in
America experienced some form of
cyberbullying each year.
● Social media also has effects on the way
the society establishes its norm and
ideologies. Social media is often chosen as
a tool for asserting social norms, as the
platform thrives in social participation.
LESSON 11: BIODIVERSITY AND HEALTHY
SOCIETY
BIODIVERSITY
● Biological diversity or biodiversity is defined
as the variability among living organisms in
the terrestrial, marine and other aquatic
resources of the planet.
3 TYPES OF BIODIVERSITY
1. SPECIES BIODIVERSITY
➢ is the heterogeneity of living species
in a given region or habitat.
Organisms belonging to species level
are a group of organisms that have the
capacity to interbreed.
➢ A current estimate of the number of
species of the world varies from 5
million to nearly 100 million. There are
1.7 million that have been identified
to date. A complete list of species is
difficult to obtain, as many organisms,
such as fungi, protozoans and bacteria
have not been identified.
2. GENETIC BIODIVERSITY
➢ It describes the difference of genetic
make-up within organisms belonging
to the same species. The extent of
variation among species is dependent
on various factors such as mutation and
environmental causes.
➢ It is said that the degree of diversity in
the level of genes is crucial for species
survival because much diverse genes
would mean greater adaptations and
chances of passing on their genes to
their offsprings.
3. ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY
➢ It refers to the variation in ecosystems
within a region or habitat. Ecosystem is
defined as a biological community that
includes all living things (animals, plants
and microorganisms) interacting with the
non-living
components
of
the
environment such as weather, climate,
soil, sun and air in a specific habitat.
THE PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY
● The Philippines is regarded as one of the 17
mega diverse countries in the world
because of its rich diversity and endemicity
of species. Endemic species are plants
and animals that can only be found in a
certain region in the world.
● 7,620 plants and animals can be found in
the Philippines and 5,382 are endemic.
● Given this, the Philippines ranked 23rd in
the world and 6th in Southeast Asia in
terms of plant diversity.
● The Philippines is also ranked 4th in terms
of bird endemism and 5th in terms of
mammalian and reptilian endemism.
● Approximately 33% of flora, 75% of
amphibians, 70% of reptiles and 44% of
birds are endemic in the Philippine
archipelago.
● Dr. Heavy’s expedition led to the
discovery of 140 species of mammals
that are only found in the country such as
the smallest water buffalo, the world’s
largest rat and the world’s largest and
smallest bats.
ENDEMIC PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN THE
PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO
● Pandaka Pygmea - smallest fish in the
world
● Rafflesa Philippensis - one of the largest
flower in the world
● Tarsier - world’s most smallest primate
PRESSURE TO BIODIVERSITY
● Habitat destruction
● Invasive or alien species introduction
● High population density and growth rates
● Climate change
● Illegal wildlife trade
● Deficiencies
in
the
knowledge
on
biodiversity
● Inadequate enforcement of environmental
laws and poor political will
● Failure to put value on the environment
LESSON 12: GENETIC MODIFIED ORGANISMS
AND GENE THERAPY
GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
● Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
are products of artificial manipulation
and alteration of a species’ genetic
material in a laboratory using genetic
engineering.
● Plant, animal, bacteria and virus genes
may be combined or crossbred to
produce another kind of species that
do not naturally occur in the
environment.
HISTORY OF GMO
● In 1953, the discovery of DNA by
James Watson and Francis Crick
opened the gates for the countless
possibilities of genetic engineering.
● In 1973, Herbert Boyer and Stanley
Cohen were the first scientist to
genetically modify an organism by
combining the genes of two different E.
coli, a species of microorganism.
● In 1982, the US Supreme Court ruled
to allow patenting of GMOs. The first
patented
genetically
modified
microorganism was made by Prof.
Ananda Mohan Chakrabarty. He
created a GMO microorganism, the
Pseudomonas putida, that has the
capacity
to
consume
oil
and
hydrocarbons which is later used to
solve problems on oil spill and
pollution. This relish allowed the Exxon
Oil
company
to
start
using
microorganisms that can consume oil.
● In the same year, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) approved the
first GMO - Humulin, a type of insulin
produced using genetically modified E.
coli bacteria to be available in the
market to support the treatment of
diabetes mellitus.
● In 1993, FDA approved bovine
somatotropin (bST), a metabolic
protein hormone used to increase
milk production in dairy cows for
commercial use. However, health
concerns such as the possible effects
of hormonal transfer to humans and
the increase antibiotic doses given to
these cows because of frequent mastitis
brought about by too much milk
production are still being questioned
● In 1994, the FDA approved the Flavr
Savr tomato by Calgene Inc. for sale
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in grocery stores. This kind of tomato
has delayed ripening effect which in
return has longer shelf life compared to
naturally grown tomatoes.
In 1997, the European Union ruled in
favor of mandatory labeling on all GMO
food products, including animal feeds.
In 1998, a genetically modified
papaya in Hawaii was found to be
resistant to Ringspot virus and
produced the Bacillus thurengensis
toxin, a bacterium that has no toxic
effects to humans but are documented
to affect some insects when ingested
In 2000, golden rice was developed in
the Philippines to address vitamin A
deficiency. Golden rice is a variety of
rice wherein its rice grains are
genetically modified to biosynthesize
beta carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.
The introduction of golden rice was
opposed by the environmental and antiglobalization advocates because this
GMO was thought to compromise food
production, nutrition and financial
security.
In 2003, a Bt-toxin-, Helicoverpa zea,
was found feasting on GMO Bt cotton
crops in the Southern US. This proves
that animals and insects may become
resistant to GMOs in a long run.
In 2006, Yorkshire pigs (Enviropigs)
were genetically modified to produce
offsprings that produced the enzyme
phytase in their saliva to digest plant
phosphorus.
Pigs are normally supplemented by
phytase enzymes by farms so that they
are able to utilize the phosphorus
present in their feeds. Phosphorus is
needed by livestocks for growth and
health. With the production of the
Enviropigs, farmers were guaranteed to
have good quality livestocks while
lessening the cost for phytase
supplementation.
In 2001, a researcher in eastern Quebec
found Bt toxins in the blood of
pregnant women and showed evidence
that the toxin could be passed on to
the babies.
● As early as 2013, corn and poplars
were genetically modified and used to
produced biofuels, which is regarded
as
an efficient substitute for
petroleum products.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GMO’s?
● One of the best tools farmers have to
help and preserve water, air, land, and
limit impact of climate change.
● Increased crop yields by +22% (based
on 2014 data)
● Reduced pesticide applications by -8%
(based on 2015 data) Farmers kept 48
million acres out of production
● Decreased deforestation & harm to the
ecosystem.
● Help improve air quality
● Till less often use less use of fuel
● Trap co2 in the soil
● Decrease carbon emissions by 58.8
billion lbs
● Help reduce water pollution
● Better retention, reduced run-off
● Prevent clogging of water bodies
(saving 6,000 bodies of water)
● It benefits not just the environment but
also our daily lives
GENE
THERAPY
VS
GENETIC
ENGINEERING
● Genetic engineering - is the process
of using recombinant DNA (rDNA)
technology to alter the genetic makeup
of an organism.
● Gene therapy is the method of
inserting genes or nucleic acid into
cells as a drug to treat genetic
diseases.
● In 1972, Theodore Friedman and
Richard Robin proposed that people
with genetic disorders can be treated by
replacing defective DNA with good
DNA.
● In 1985, Dr. W. French Anderson and
Dr. Michael Blasse worked together to
show that cells of patients with
Adenosine
deaminase
(ADA)
deficiency can be corrected in tissue
culture. ADA is an inherited type of
disease affecting the immune system
● The first commercial gene therapy
product Gendicine was approved in
China in 2003 for the treatment of head
and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering
● Could have unknown effects or
outcomes.
● Allergic reactions
● High costs
● Could result in the toxicity of an
organism to humans or other organisms.
● Justice and equity
● Cross contamination
● Potential harms to health
● Potential environmental harm
● Stem cells are from human embryo’s
(which has ethical issues)
2. CNT - based membranes are used for
water desalination and nanoscale seniors
to identify water contaminants.
3. Nanoscale
titanium
dioxide
photocatalysis has antibacterial effects
that can be applied to air and water
treatment, anti-fogging and self- cleaning.
4. The nanoparticles of anatase titanium
dioxide are also capable of eliminating
harmful air pollutants.
ETHICAL DILEMMA OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
● With the identified potential hazards that
nanoparticles can bring to human health
and the environment, should people
disregard the benefits that nanotechnology
provides them?
LESSON 14: CLIMATE CHANGE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
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Climate: a long term weather (summer,
winter, fall)
Weather: a short term that happens and
varies every day (rainy day, sunny day)
LESSON 13: NANOTECHNOLOGY
APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
● In the medical field, nanotechnology is
used in drug delivery techniques,
particularly using dendrimers, a kind of
nonmaterial. This is a type of nanostructure
that can be designed and manufactured to
carry different materials that can recognize
diseased cells, diagnose diseases, deliver
drugs and report therapy outcomes.
● In First Aid, a bandage that is waterproof,
elastic and able to dissolve in the skin
over time was developed by the MIT led by
Karp and Langer. The bandage is
composed of nanopillars that function
similar to the feet of geckos the use
chemical interactions between nanopillars
and biosurfaces
1. CNTs - are distinct carbon fibers that are
traditionally used in industrial products
such as tennis rackets, baseball bats, car
and airplane frames and batteries.
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There have been increasing experiences of
extreme weather patterns in the last 30
years.
Scientists are also concerned with the
alarming
increase
in
the
earth’s
atmospheric
temperature,
a
phenomenon called global warming or
climate change.
Climate change is defined as a global or
regional change in the climatic patterns
brought upon by the increase in
atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by
burning fossil fuels and other human
activities. According to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCC), climate change is
caused directly or indirectly by human
activities. (Kyoto Protocol)
DRIVING FORCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE
1. Rise in global temperature. (too much
emission can raise global temperature)
2. Rise in ocean temperature. (very dangerous
for the marine ecosystem since it needs
balance temperature)
3. El Niño
4. Melting of ice sheets ( if it melts it can wash
out the Philippines)
5. Glacial retreat (it has big effect on close
country but as well on tropical countries)
6. Decreasing snow cover
7. Rise in the sea level (there are some
organisms that cannot cope up to the rising
of sea level)
8. Extreme events
THE
PHILIPPINE
ON
ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESS
● In the public sector of the country, laws
have been enacted to protect the
environment
1. Republic Act 7942, also known as the
Philippine Mining Act of 1995. This law
aims to protect the environment by
regulating the extraction of mineral
resources by mining companies while
expanding
foreign
investments
and
increasing mining output.
2. Republic Act 8749, known as the
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. This law
aims to reduce pollution by incorporating
environmental protection into developmental
plans. Likewise, it sets emission standards
or motor vehicles and pollutant limitations
for different industries.
3. Republic Act 9512, known as the
National Environmental Awareness and
Education Act of 2008. This law requires
different government agencies in the field of
education to promote environmental
awareness in the curriculum. Schools
must discuss the threats of harming and
exploiting the environment. The citizens’
responsibility to the environment and the
value of conserving, protecting and
rehabilitating natural resources in the
context of sustainable development.
Ozone layer - is the protection of the earth from the
sun, and radiation.
Muñoz, Franciane Mae B.
DVM1B