CHAPTER 4: SPECIFIC ISSUES IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND
SOCIETY
LESSON 1: THE INFORMATION AGE
The Information Age (or Digital/New Media Age) began in the late 20th century, marked by rapid access
and sharing of information. This was a period of unprecedented scientific and technological
advancements, profoundly shaping the world and leading to significant changes in society.
Features:
o Data-driven, fast-paced society.
o Computers and internet as main tools.
o Evolution in how humans share information (writing, coding, painting).
Key Developments:
o Information Anxiety coined by Richard Wurman, 1980s states that people have become
overwhelmed by information (aka information overload).
o Information as currency means that business shifted to managing, sharing, and analyzing
information.
In the present, information is now a commodity–mass-produced, sometimes overwhelming. Its emerging
fields now include AI, robotics, cloud computing, cybersecurity, etc.
Impact on Science:
o Faster experiments with digital tools.
o Easier data sharing through bioinformatics. Bioinformatics combines biology, computer
science, and data analysis to interpret complex biological data such as genetic
sequences and molecular structures.
o Greater need for responsible research and citation.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Quick, easy access to information. • Spread of misinformation and fake news.
• Improved communication (faster, broader • Cyberbullying and online harassment. •
reach). Information overload and anxiety.
• Supports scientific research and • Privacy concerns and cybersecurity risks.
innovation.
• Data-driven decision-making in various
fields (business, health, education).
How to Spot Fake News?
1. Vet publisher credibility (source, domain, authors).
2. Check for errors, sensationalism, outdated info.
3. Verify sources (cross-check, citations, reverse image search).
Cyberbullying and Legal Protection
1. Social media posts can be an avenue to cause harm to others.
2. Philippine laws can protect against online harassment. Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012
(Republic Act No. 10175) criminalizes various online offenses, including cyberbullying-related
acts such as cyber libel, identity theft, and online harassment.
LESSON 2: BIODIVERSITY AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY
Biodiversity is the variety of life forms (bacteria, plants, animals, humans) on Earth. In the global state,
~8.7 million species exist and many are not yet classified. Our ecosystems also include terrestrial
(forests, grasslands) and aquatic (rivers, oceans).
Roles of organisms:
o Producers, consumers, decomposers. They are key to ecosystem balance.
o Microscopic decomposers recycle nutrients for plant growth.
Threats:
o Human activities (deforestation, pollution, climate change) are major threats, leading to
extinction of species.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Provides food and livelihood (diverse • Habitat destruction and species
diets, resistance to pests). extinction.
• Source of traditional and modern • Loss of food sources, traditional
medicine (natural drugs, ongoing medicines, and economic resources.
research).
• Increased health issues (diabetes,
• Helps control and prevent infectious hypertension, mental health concerns).
diseases (balanced ecosystems eg.
bats help with insect control). • Higher vulnerability to natural disasters
(typhoons, floods).
• Promotes cultural, spiritual, and social
well-being.
• Supports climate change adaptation
(natural buffers, recovery support).
Conservation Efforts
o Protect habitats and species for future generations.
o Understand interconnectedness of health, economy, and environment.
LESSON 3: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS: SCIENCE, HEALTH, AND POLITICS
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are organisms–plants, animals, or microbes–whose DNA has
been altered through genetic engineering. They were introduced in the 1990s to improve crop traits such
as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, and disease resistance.
Advantages of GMOs
o Higher yield which means farmers can grow more food at lower costs.
o Better quality because GMOs improved food taste, increased shelf-life, and higher nutritional
content (e.g., soybeans with healthier oils).
o GMOs reduced pesticide use because some have built-in pest resistance, decreasing chemical
pesticide use.
Concerns and Health Effects
o Allergic reactions and gene transfer to non-GMO organisms are concerns. However, science says
that genetic modification involves gene transfer at the cellular or laboratory level. This is where
genes from one organism are inserted into another to create a genetically modified plant or
animal.
When you eat GMO foods, your digestive system breaks down the proteins, including any that
came from inserted genes. This means the DNA in GMO food gets digested and does not get
integrated into your own DNA.
o GMOs undergo strict safety tests before market release. Studies show GMO foods are as safe as
non-GMO foods, even in animals that consume them.
Environmental and Socioeconomic Impact
o Some GMOs encourage overuse of herbicides (like glyphosate, labeled carcinogenic by WHO),
leading to “superweeds” and “superbugs”. In other words, overuse of such chemicals will lead to
resistance to pesticides, herbicides, or antibiotics.
o Long-term effects of GMOs on ecosystems remain uncertain and require more research.
Nonfood Applications
o Genetic engineering makes human insulin and other drugs. (Medicine)
o GM cotton is used in fabrics. It is genetically engineered to produce a protein from the bacterium
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which is toxic to certain insects (like bollworms). Thus, it protects the
cotton plant from pests, reducing the need for chemical insecticides. (Textile)
o Animals, if not use for experiments, are made for human consumption (eg. salmon is genetically
engineered to mature faster). However, only a few are approved by FDA.
CHAPTER 4: THE NANOWORLD
Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating structures between 1-100 nanometers–one-billionth of a
meter. At this tiny scale, materials show unique chemical, physical, and optical properties.
Unique Features
• In the biological scale, cellular and molecular activities (like DNA and hemoglobin) occur at the
nanoscale.
Applications in the Philippine
• Electronics. Work on semiconductors, GaAs nanorods, carbon nanotubes, and quantum dots for
sensors and solar cells. These help make electronic devices faster, smaller, and more energy
efficient.
• Agriculture. Use of nanosensors for precision farming, nanomaterials for fertilizers/pesticides, and
DNA delivery via nanoparticles. These help grow healthier crops with less waste, saving time
and money for farmers.
• Food. Development of edible coatings, smart packaging, freshness sensors, and detection of food
contaminants. These improve food safety and shelf life, helping prevent waste and ensuring
people eat safe, fresh food.
• Energy. Nanostructured solar cells in collaboration with UP, Ateneo, and DLSU. These efforts
support cleaner and cheaper energy, which is important for the environment.
• Medicine. Nanomedicine for diagnostics, early disease detection (TB, cancer, malaria), drug
delivery, and ethnobiology studies. These advances make healthcare more precise and effective,
helping people get better treatment and faster recovery.
Products of Nanotechnology in the Philippines
1. Agriculture
• Developed at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB):
o Nanosilica-based fertilizer - boosts germination and growth of tomatoes.
o Fruitect® coating - extends shelf life of premium fruits (mango, papaya).
o Nano-encapsulated plant growth regulators - improve root development in coffee,
cassava, banana.
2. Aquaculture
• PhilGeneStrips biosensor kit (by DOST-PCAARRD, SEAFDEC, Philippine Genome Center, UP,
Ateneo):
o Detects diseases in shrimp, especially the White Spot Syndrome (WSS) virus. o
Affordable, easy to use, and helps farmers quickly identify and eliminate diseased shrimp. 3. Water
Treatment:
• Portable Ceramic Water Filter (Pitcher Type) (by DOST):
o Uses gravity and nanotechnology silver-coated red clay.
o Effectively filters tap or deep well water for safe drinking.
LESSON 5: THE ASPECTS OF GENE THERAPY
What is gene therapy?
• Gene therapy is a medical approach where doctors work to modify, replace, or introduce genes
into a patient’s cells to treat diseases. It aims to fix the genetic problem that causes disease
rather than just treat symptoms.
• The goal is to return any abnormal DNA to normal conditions.
• The development of gene therapy is highly regulated by the FDA and National Institute of Health.
How does it work?
• Gene augmentation - replace a faulty gene with a healthy copy
• Gene inhibition - inactivate a malfunctioning gene
• Introduce new/modified genes to help fight disease
Types of gene therapy tools:
1. Plasmid DNA - tiny circles of DNA that carry healthy genes.
2. Viral vectors - harmless viruses used to carry therapeutic genes into cells.
3. Bacterial vectors - bacteria re-engineered to deliver helpful genes.
4. Human gene editing - fixing or cutting harmful genes directly.
5. Patient-derived cell therapy - patient’s own cells are modified and returned to them.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Provides options • Expensive
• Only has to be given one time • Experimental
• Long-lasting effects • Potentially dangerous
• Positive effects passed down through • May cause infections
generations
• Ethical issues (Will gene therapy make us
less accepting of people who are
different?)
Examples of success:
• AAV2 vectors for Leber congenital amaurosis: Improves vision in those with this inherited eye
disorder.
• Retroviral vectors for ADA-SCID: Treats immune system deficiency in children.
Why is it important?
Gene therapy aims to cure diseases at the root cause—not just manage symptoms. It has huge potential
for diseases like cancer, genetic disorders, and viral infections.
LESSON 6: CLIMATE CHANGE
What is climate change?
It’s a long-term shift in Earth’s climate, mostly caused today by human activities (burning fossil fuels like
coal and oil). These actions release greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane, etc.) that trap heat in the
atmosphere.
Main sources of greenhouse gases:
1. Electricity production (coal, natural gas)
2. Transportation (cars, ships, planes).
3. Industry (energy for factories and chemical processes
4. Commercial & residential (heating, waste).
5. Agriculture (livestock, rice fields)
6. Land use & forestry (deforestation releases CO₂)
Impact on the Philippines:
1. Water resources - droughts in some areas, floods in others
2. Forestry - forest health is threatened and indigenous communities are at risk
3. Agriculture - lower crop yields, more diseases, food insecurity
4. Coastal areas - sea level rise and more typhoons threaten communities
5. Health - more diseases (water-borne, malnutrition, respiratory issues)
Climate change is real and driven by human activity, but by reducing emissions and supporting adaptation
projects, we can lessen its impact.
