GE-STS: Science, Technology and Society
SCOPE: MODULE 5-8
MODULE 5 | GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISM
Genetic engineering

also known as recombinant DNA technology

the direct transfer of DNA from one organism to
another.

it was first accomplished by Herbert Boyer and
Stanley Cohen
Genetically modified organism (GMO)

term used for an organism created through
genetic engineering

an organism, or microorganism, in which the
genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way
that does not occur naturally by mating or natural
recombination
Ex. Artic Apple. The apple variety was
genetically modified to surpass the browning of
the apple due to superficial damage.
3.
GMO’s in Non-Food Crops and Microorganisms
1.
Paper production- modified characteristics of tress
for higher yield of paper production.
Ex. Poplar trees. Lignin is a complex
polymer in trees that is removed from wood to
make paper through kraft process
2.
Pharmaceutical productions- modified plants to
produce pharmaceutical products.
Ex. periwinkle plants. Bacterial genes
were added to the periwinkle plant
Bioremediation- use of modified plants that can
assist in the bioremediation of polluted sites
Ex. shrub tobacco. Nicotania glauca, or
shrubtobacco
genetically
modified
with
phytochelatin, is use for bioremediation
3.
3 main methods of genetic engineering
1. Plasmid Method (most commonly used)
This method uces of a DNA molecule called
plasmids. This method is ses small circular piemainly used
for altering microorganisms such as bacteria.
2. Vector Method
This method uses vectors, which are small carrier
molecules, which are normally viruses.
3. Biolistic Method (a.k.a gene gun method)
Like its nickname, this method uses a gun. This
method is mainly used for the engineering of the plants.
GMO’s in Food and Agricultural Industries
1.
Pest resistance- genetically modified plants to resist
certain pest.
Ex. Bt corn, a.k.a. transgenic corn, is corn
that has been modified to produce the insecticidal
proteins that occur naturally in Bt (Bacillus
thuringiensis).
2.
Virus resistance- genetically modified plants to
resist certain viruses.
Ex. GM papaya or rainbow papaya
3.
Herbicide tolerance- genetically modified plants to
tolerate herbicide.
Ex. Roundup Ready Soybeans (RR
soybeans) are genetically engineered soybeans
that have had their DNA altered to allow them to
withstand the herbicide glyphosate.
1.
Fortification- genetically modified plants fortified with
certain minerals.
Ex. Golden Rice. Beta-carotene, a
precursor of vitamin A, was introduced through
biosynthesis genes to the rice
2.
Cosmetic preservation- genetically modified plants
to resist natural discoloration.
Increase growth rate- a genetically modified
organism that has higher yield than normal species.
4.
GMO’s in the medical field- It helps in the
production of drugs, gene therapy, and laboratory
researches.
Ex. Humulin, the genetically engineered
insulin used by type I diabetes patients who are
insulin-dependent.
Risks of Application of Genetic Engineering
A.
Risks to Biodiversity
 The introduction of a GMO into the environment
may cause the displacement of indigenous
fauna and flora.
 If the new strain is superior to the parent strain, it
may take over the habitat or eliminate the wild
strain.
 Other identified major risks are the following:
1. Risk in gene flow
2. Emergence of new forms of resistance and
secondary pests and weed problems
3. Recombination of Virus and Bacteria to
Produce New Pathogens
B.
Risk to Humanity

If people are constantly eating food with
antibiotic resistance genes in them, they could
develop a resistance to antibiotics as well.

Other potential risks that raise major concern are:
1. Human Genome Project- mapping of
human genes to provide framework for
research and studies in the field of medicine
2. Mutation of genetically engineered
microorganisms- GM bacteria and viruses
may mutate to become more resistant and
virulent that may cause more dreadful
diseases for human beings.
MODULE 6 | THE NANO WORLD AND GENE THERAPY
(STEM CELLS)
Nanotechnology

the science, engineering, and technology
conducted at the nanoscale.

It is concerned with building 'things' - generally,
materials and devices on the scale of atoms and
molecules.

A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter
3 ways to view Nanomaterials
1.
2.
3.
4.
Electron microscope- It utilizes a particle beam of
electrons to light up a specimen and develop a wellmagnified image. They can magnify objects up to a
million times.
Atomic force microscope- It makes use of a
mechanical probe that gathers information from the
surface of a material.
Scanning tunneling microscope- It enables
scientists to view and manipulate nanoscale particles,
atoms, and small molecules.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Nanotechnology is not a single technology; it may
become prevalent.
It seeks to develop new materials with specific
properties.
New efficiencies and paradigms may be introduced
that may render certain natural resources and current
practices uncompetitive or obsolete.
It may be complicated to detect its presence unless
one has the specialist tools of nanotechnology.
EXAMPLE OF
AREAS
AFFECTED
BY NANO
TECHNOLOGY
Environment
2.



Nanomanufacturing- It refers to scaled-up, reliable,
and cost-effective manufacturing of nanoscale
materials, structures, devices, and systems.

Improved
medicine






Bottom-up fabrication- It manufactures products by
building them up from atomic- and molecular-scale
components.
Top-down fabrication- It trims down large pieces of
materials into nanoscale.
CONCERNS
Improved
detection
and
removal
of
contaminants
Development of
benign industrial
processes and
materials
Health
2 Fundamental Approaches to Nanomanufacturing
1.
POSSIBLE
BENEFITS
Better products
New jobs


Economy

High reactivity and
toxicity
Pervasive distribution
in the environment
No nano-specific EPA
regulation
Ability to cross cell
membranes
and
translocate in the
body
No FDA approval
needed for cosmetics
or supplements
Redistribution
of
wealth
Potential
cost
of
cleanups
and
healthcare
Accessibility to all
income levels.
Gene Therapy- is an experimental technique for the
treatment or prevention of disease using genes.
MODULE 7 | CLIMATE CHANGE
2 Types of Gene Therapy
Climate change- refers to the statistically significant
changes in climate for continuous period of time.
1.
2.
Somatic gene therapy- involves the manipulation of
genes in any cells of the body except sperm and egg
cells
Germ-line gene therapy- involves the genetic
modification of reproductive cells such as sperm and
egg cells
Causes of Climate Change
1.
2.
Stem Cell Gene Therapy
Stem cells- are mother cells that have the potential to
become any type of cell in the body
2 Sources of stem cells
1. Embryonic stem cells- are derived from a three to
five-day-old human embryo that is in blastocyst
phase of development and has about 150 cells.
2. Somatic stem cells- are cells that exist throughout
the body after embryonic development.
Benefits and Concerns of Using Nanotechnology
3.
4.
Volcanic Eruption- can cause a cooling effect to the
lithosphere because its emitted aerosol can block a
certain percentage of solar radiation.
Orbital Changes
 Earths orbits can also cause climate change.
 Milankovitch Theory- “as the earth travels through
space around the sun, cyclical variations in
three elements of earth sun geometry combine
to produce variations in the amount of solar
energy that reaches earth.”
Carbon Dioxide Theory- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is
added when power and heat are produced by
burning coal, oil, and other fossil fuel.
Human Activities
 Human activities contribute to climate change.
 The largest known contribution comes from the
burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon
dioxide gas to the atmosphere.
4.
5.
Global Warming- is a long-term warming of the
planets overall temperature
Greenhouse Gases

is a gas that absorbs and emits radiant
energy the thermal infrared range, causing
the within greenhouse effect.

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

Greenhouse gases
a.Carbon dioxide- carbon dioxide enters
the atmosphere through burning fossil
fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil), solid
waste, trees and other biological
materials
b.Methane- methane is emitted during the
production and transport of coal,
natural gas, and oil.
c. Nitrous oxide- nitrous oxide is emitted
during agricultural and industrial
activities, combustion of fossil fuels and
solid waste, as well as during treatment
of wastewater.
d.Fluorinated gases- hydro fluorocarbons,
perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride,
and
nitrogenous
trifluoride
are
synthetic, powerful gases that are
emitted from a variety of industrial
processes.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
5 Current Environmental Issues/Problems
1.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
A United Nations body that evaluates climate
change science, releases its report on global climate
change.
MODULE 8 | ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
Top 10 most toxic places on Earth.
1. Arbogbloshie, Ghana
2. Chernobyl, Ukraine
3. Citarum River, Indonesia
4. Dzershinsk, Russia
5. Hazaribagh, Bangladesh
6. Kabwe, Zambia
7. Kalimantan, Indonesia
8. Matanza Riachuelo, Argentina
9. Niger River Delta, Nigeria
10. Norilsk, Russia
2.
Arbogbloshie in Accra, Ghana

top on the list of most toxic places on Earth.

It is a giant “waste bin” that is the second-largest ewaste processing area in West Africa.
Alternative Energy Sources
1.
2.
Solar energy

It was in use much earlier before humans
ever learn how to light a fire.

The solar is mostly used in generating light
and heat.

This was widely used across the globe as
an alternative energy source.
Wind energy
It is free of charge and widely available.
A single windmill can power the crop
irrigation, and family energy needs, water
pumping and electric lights.
Geothermal energy

“Geo” means Earth and “thermal” means
energy

energy drawn or harnessed from beneath
the earth.
Hydroelectric power plants- capture the kinetic
energy of moving water and give mechanical energy
to turbines
Biomass energy- The process of conversion of
biological materials and wastes into energy sources
for heating, power generation and transportation.
Ocean energy- can be tidal energy, wave energy
and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) via
which ocean energy can be harnessed
Hydrogen

most abundant and lightest element
available on Earth

can be used to power up homes, vehicles
and even space rockets

3.
4.
Plastic bags
Plastic bags are being banned worldwide
because of the following reasons:
a. Plastic bags are made up of petroleum, a
nonrenewable resource. They are not
biodegradable.
b. These are very light weight, the wind carries
them across the landscape, clogging
waterways, cluttering our oceans, damaging
agricultural lands and provide ideal
breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
c. Animals mistake plastic bags for food,
which leads to massive poisoning, choking,
entanglement and blocked intestines that
causes to death.
Decline of Natural Resources and Biodiversity
a. Philippines is suffering from degradation of
the natural environment. It has 50 major
rivers now polluted due to abuse and
neglect.
b. Approximately 2/3 of the country’s original
mangroves have been lost.
c. Before, Philippines had close to 22 million
ha of old growth forest. At the start of 2000,
it had less than 600,000 ha. of old-growth
forest left.
d. More than 400 plant and animal species
found in the Philippines are currently
threatened with extinction.
Marine Environment- Marine and coastal resources
including coral reefs, mangrove forests and
seagrasses are also being degraded and depleted by
the impact of climate change, overexploitation and
pollution.
Air Pollution- Some 54% of the Philippine population
uses solid fuel (charcoal, firewood) for cooking,
5.
affecting over 47 million people with indoor air
pollution. Indoor air pollution is one of the main
drivers behind acute respiratory infections in children
and women.
Water Contamination- Water pollution in the
Philippines is largely caused by inadequately treated
domestic wastewater and sewage, agricultural
wastewater and industrial wastewater.