SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

D life more and more

UNIT IV:TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT:ISSUES AND
IMPLICATIONS
MODULE 8

LESSON LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
A. comprehend the ideas and principles surrounding science, technology and society;
B. Demonstrate the steps of scientific method in practical activities and researches;
C. Be involved in upholding our society from the advancements of science and technology.

IV. BIOTECHNOLOGY
- The use of microorganisms, cells, or cell components to make a product such as
commercial production of foods, vaccines, antibiotics, and vitamins.
- It encompasses tools and techniques including those of recombinant DNA technology,
the living organisms to be improved (plants, animals or microorganisms), the products
from these organisms which can be new or rare.
- Is the use of biological processes, organism, or systems to manufacture products intended
to improve the quality of human life
- The earliest biotechnologists were farmers who could developed improved species of
plants and animals by cross pollination or cross breeding
- The science of technology can be broken down into sub disciplines called

A. RED BIOTECHNOLOGY
- Involves medical processes such as getting organisms to produce new drugs, or using
stem cells to regenerate damaged human tissues and perhaps re-grow entire organs
A. WHITE
- also called Gray Biotechnology
- involves industrial processes such as the production of new chemicals or the development
of new fuels for vehicles
B. GREEN
- Applies to agricultural and involves such processes as the development of pest – resistant
grains or the accelerated evolution of disease-resistant animals
C. BLUE
- Rarely mentioned, encompasses processes in marine and aquatic environments, such as
controlling the proliferation of noxious water-borne organisms.

MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY AIMS TO:

1. develop new precision tools and diagnostics;

2. speed up breeding gains and efficiency;
3. develop pest- and disease-resistant crops;
4. combat salinity, drought, and problems of agriculture;
5. enhance the nutritional quality of food;
6. increase crop varieties and choice;
7. reduce inputs and production costs, and
8. increase profits. (Bragdon et al., 2005)

ADVANTAGES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
1. It can improve health and reduce hunger simultaneously
2. It can create flexibility within the food chain.
3. It offers medical advancement opportunities.
4. It allows us to preserve resources.
5. It helps us minimize or eliminate waste products.
6. It can reduce infectious disease rates.

DISADVANTAGES OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
1. It creates an all-or-nothing approach.
2. It is a field of research with many unknowns.

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

3. It could ruin croplands.

4. It turns human life into a commodity.
5. It can be used for destruction.

The latter is made possible by inserting genes into cells by recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology
sometimes called genetic engineering.
IMPLICATIONS AND ISSUES

4 SOCIETAL CONCERN WITH BIOTECHNOLOGY

1. Harm to the environment

- This concern is perhaps the most widely cited by those opposed to GMOs. It is very
difficult to predict what will happen in an ecosystem where a new organism has been
introduced-whether genetically modified or not. Take weeds for example. If farmers
introduce an herbicide-resistant marker into a plant, there is the possibility those traits
may be transferred to a weed, making it resistant to herbicides as well.

2. Bioterrorism
- Government are worried terrorists will use biotechnology to create new Superbugs.
Infectious viruses, or toxins for which we have no cures. According to the CDC,
bioterrorism happens when viruses, bacteria or other germs are released intentionally to
inflict harm on or kill people, plants or livestock. The agency says the most likely agent
to be used in an attack is anthrax-a serious disease caused by a bacteria found naturally in
soil.
- The use of viruses and diseases as a weapon in warfare has been well documented in
history. Native Americans were infected by the British army in the 1760s when they were
given blankets from a smallpox hospital. During World War II, Japan released bombs on
China containing fleas infested with diseases.
- In modern times, bioterrorists are able to transfer diseases and viruses through
explosives, food and water, and even aerosol sprays. But the use of biotechnology as a
weapon was banned by the Geneva Convention.
3. Laboratory/production safety
- It’s hard to protect yourself if you don’t know you’re working against. Some new
technologies, usually non-biological such as nanoparticles, make commercial production
lines before they have been sufficiently tested for safety. There is also concern about
technician safety in laboratories-even under secure conditions-when working with
organisms of unknown virulence.
4. Ethical Issues
a. The construction of genes from scratch means we might someday be able to create life
from a chemical soup which will most certainly go against the ethical or religious beliefs
of a significant number of people.

b. Ethical concerns including when scientists protect their subjects when they are ensure of
the results or side effects of any study

c. Activists are critical of the use of animals as test subjects in biotechnology. Scientists
may manipulate animal genes all for the benefits of human lives. The animal therefore
becomes nothing more than a piece of property, rather a living being.

A.GENETIC ENGINEERING/ RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY

- A technique that allows genes and DNA to be transferred from one source to another.

- it is the artificial modification of an organism’s genetic composition.

- Typically involves transferring genes from one organism into another organism of a
different species to give the other specific traits of the former. The resulting organism is
called a transgenic or genetically modified organism, or GMO
- It leads to the production of living modified organisms or genetically modified
organisms.

IMPORTANCE:

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

1. used on microorganism help in the creation of new pharmaceuticals which cannot be made in
any other way.
2. it helps in the process of bioremediation which is the process of cleaning up waste and pollution
with the help of living organisms.
3. It has helped lower the overall usage of herbicides and pesticides
4. has help in the production of vaccines and other drugs in plants
5. .has produced very useful genetically modified breeds which can tolerate factory farming without
any suffering
6. used to treat genetic disorders and cancer and also helps in supplying body parts
7. Certain bacterial sequences are manipulated to transform waste into ethanol, so that it can be used
as fuel.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or Transgenic organisms

- A plant, animal, microorganisms, or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified
using rDNA methods.
- The result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and
artificially inserted into the genes of unrelated plant or animal.

Overview of Recombinant DNA Technology

GENETIC ENGINEERING/ RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY

1. A gene must be isolated and well characterized before it can be used in genetic manipulation.
2. Isolation of plasmid and DNA containing gene of interest. The gene of interest is inserted into
the vector DNA in vitro.

Two major categories of enzymes involved:

a. Restriction endonucleases
- acts as scissors to cut DNA at specific sites.
b. DNA ligase
- acts as glue that joins 2 DNA molecules.
- In the figure, the vector is a plasmid.
Plasmids
- are circular pieces of bacterial DNA that often contain genes not related to basic life functions
but it provides bacteria with genetic advantages such as antibiotic resistance.

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

3. This recombinant vector DNA is taken up by a cell such as a bacterium, where it can multiply
and grown in culture to form a clone of many identical cells. Each of which carries copies of the
vector. DNA vectors are often called gene-cloning vectors.

ADVANTAGES OF GENETIC ENGINEERING

1) It allows for faster growth rate
- Genetic engineering allows plants and animals to be modified so their maturity can occur
at a quicker pace. Engineering can allow this maturity to occur outside of the normal
growth conditions that are favorable without genetic changes as well.
2) It can create an extended life
- Genetic modification can help to create resistance to common forms of organism death.
Pest resistance can be included into the genetic profiles modified to reduce the risks of
common health concerns that may affect the breed or species
3) Specific traits can be developed
- Plants and animals can have specific traits develop through genetic engineering that make
them more attractive to use or consumption. Different colors can be created to produce a
wider range of color, Animals can be modified to produce more milk, grow more muscle
tissue, or produce different coats so that a wider of fabrics can be created.
4) New products can be created
- With genetic engineering, new products can be created by adding or combining different
profiles together. One example of this is potato, and alter its profile so that it can produce
more nutrients per Kcal than w/o genetic engineering. This makes it possible for more
people to get what they need nutritionally. Even if there food access is limited, and this
could potentially reduce global food insecurity.
5) Greater yields can be produced
- It can also change the traits of plants and animals so that they can produce greater yields
per plant. More fruits can be produce per tree, which creates a greater food supply and
more profits for a farmer. Using modified organisms in multiple ways because there is
greater yield available. Modified corn, for example, can be used for specific purposes
such us animal feed, ethanol, or large cobs for human consumption,
6) Risk to the local water supply are reduced.
- Because farmers and growers do not need to apply as many pesticides or herbicides to
their cropland due to genetic engineering, fewer applications to the soil need to occur.
This protects the local water shed and reduces the risk of an adverse events occurring w/o
risking the yield and profitability that is needed.
7) It is a scientific practice that has been in place for millennia
- Genetic engineering just speed up this process and can predict an outcome with greater
regularity

RISKS RELATED TO THE USE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS: Dhan Prakash,

Sonika Verma, Ranjana Bhatia, and B. N. Tiwary, “Risks and Precautions of Genetically Modified
Organisms,” ISRN Ecology, vol. 2011, Article ID 369573, 13 pages, 2011.
https://doi.org/10.5402/2011/369573.

1. Genetic contamination / interbreeding

- Introduced GMOs may interbreed with the wild-type or sexually compatible relatives.
The novel trait may disappear in wild types unless it confers a selective advantage to the
recipient. However, tolerance abilities of wild types may also develop, thus altering the
native species’ ecological relationship and behaviour.

2. Introduced GMOs may interbreed with the wild-type or sexually compatible relatives.
- The novel trait may disappear in wild types unless it confers a selective advantage to the
recipient. However, tolerance abilities of wild types may also develop, thus altering the
native species’ ecological relationship and behaviour.

4. Ecosystem Impacts
- The effects of changes in a single species may extend well b beyond to the ecosystem.
Single impacts are always joined by the risk of ecosystem damage and destruction.

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

3. Horizontal Transfer of Recombinant Genes to Other Microorganisms

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the acquisition of foreign genes (via transformation, transduction, and
conjugation) by organisms in a variety
EXAMPLES OF GENETIC ENGINEERING
1. Mouse-ear cress
This is a small invasive species, and we know a great deal about its genes. This little plant helps us
understand the hereditary nature of numerous plant characteristics relating to drought, low nitrogen
requirements, low temperatures and freezing, high temperatures, light ( e.g. shade ), tolerance to UV
radiation, photosynthetic activity, low pH and aluminum in the soil, high pH, growth speed,
flowering period, greenness during maturation time, plant architecture, fertility, organ size,
ramification form, stem width, ozone, high carbon dioxide, high nitrogen, carbon/nitrogen, seed
morphology, biotic resistance, and the composition of seed oil, seed proteins, lignin and sterols. After
the genes for these characteristics are found in the mouse-ear cress, they can be used to modify
cultivated species.
2. Bananas
- In many countries around the world bananas are the main source of calories. According to
reports from Uganda, their production is compromised by the emergence of new diseases,
Ugandan scientist have successfully used a genetic modification, inserting a pepper gene into
bananas, which prevents the fruit from getting the disease.
3. Golden Rice
- On July 31st, Ingo Potryskus on the cover of Time magazine. The Swiss scientist and his
German colleague Peter Beyerhad produced a breed of rice which, unlike any other, also
contains provitamin A. the lack of this vitamin is especially harmful to the poorest and is
estimated to cause blindness among 250,000 – 500,000 children everyday year. Another two
million people a year die from other deficiency-related causes. So far, the measures taken to
introduce vitamin supplements have not yet reached those poor countries. Because of its
color, the product was first given the name golden rice, which remains the same to this day.
After concluding numerous tests, researchers from the International Rice Research Institute in
the Philippines have proven that even small amounts of the rice are sufficient, and that it is
absolutely safe. Unfortunately, partly due to the vandalism of “green” activists, the rice has
yet to reach its target group in 2011, which contains four times as much iron as the regular
one, and could therefore save more lives.
4. Carrots that help prevent osteoporosis
- In 2004, an American research team transferred a CAX1 gene mouse-ear cress into carrots so
that they contained larger amounts of organically bound calcium. In 2008, they performed a
study where such carrots were tested on mice and 30 volunteers, and the results showed that
humans absorbed 42% more calcium from the modified carrots than from regular ones. The
aim of this test was to help prevent osteoporosis, while the emphasis was on its biodiversity
in target tissues.
5. Drug producing Chicken
- A group of scientists at the Roslin Institute in Scotland, have developed a GM chicken that
lays eggs containing medicinal proteins. Egg-whites are naturally loaded with a protein called
ovalbumin. What the group of scientists did was introduced the gene for a foreign protein,
instead of the ovalbumin gene, in a set of chickens. Consequently, the eggs of these GM
chickens were loaded with the foreign protein .Although a bit bizarre, this attempt if
successful, will provide an easy way to generate large amounts of medicinal proteins useful
for treatment of anemia, certain cancers, haematological disorders, etc. The ultimate result
one may expect is availability of these drugs at comparatively lower prices.
6. Onions that do not make you cry

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

- In 2008, a New Zealand research team lead by Colin Eady produced an onion that does not
make you cry while cutting it. Interestingly, the insertion of a single gene which down
regulates the activity of the onion enzyme that make your eyes water, and secondly, they now
have even more health beneficial sulphur-containing substance than regular onions.
- of environmental situations. It occurs especially in response to changing environments
and provides organisms, especially prokaryotes, with access to genes other than those that
can be inherited.  HGT of an introduced gene from a GMO may confer a novel trait in
another organism, which could be a source of potential harm to the health of people or
the environment.

CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY

- An international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling, transport, and use of
living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse
effects on biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health.

IMPORTANCE OF GMO
I.GMOs in Food and Agricultural Industries

The center for Ecoenergetics and Environmental Health ( CEEH, 2013 ) identified the following
roles of GMOs in the food and agricultural industries:

1. Pest resistance
- genetically modified plants to resist certain pests.
- an example is Bt corn. The DNA ( genome) of the Bt Corn has modified with the gene of
Bacillus thuregensis, a soil bacterium that produces protein which is toxic to corn borers (
worm)

2. Virus resistance
- genetically modified plants to resist certain viruses
- an example is GM papaya or rainbow papaya
- The papaya ringspot virus ( PRSV)is known to be detrimental to papaya, The protein of
PRSV was introduced to the papaya plant through the plant tissue which turned out to be
resistant to the virus itself. The effect was like the vaccines humans have against measles
or influenza virus

3. Herbicide tolerance
- Tolerate herbicides
- An example is Roundup Ready soybean. Glyphosate, an herbicide for weeds, was
introduced to soybeans making it tolerant to the herbicide itself. Farmers then can spray
the herbicide killing the weeds but not the soybeans.
4. Fortification
- genetically modified plants fortified with certain minerals
- An example is golden Rice. Beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, was introduced
through biosynthesis genes to the rice, making the rice grains fortified with vitamin A.
5. Cosmetic preservation
- genetically modified plants resist natural discoloration
- An example is Arctic Apple, the apple variety was genetically modified to suppress the
browning of apple due to superficial damage

6. Increase growth rate

- a genetically modified organism that has higher yield in growth than normal species
- An example is Aqua Advantage salmon. A gene from an ocean pout, an eel-like fish
was introduced to Pacific Chinook salmon, making the salmon grow faster than its
normal rate.

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

II.GMOs IN NON-FOOD CROPS AND MICROORGANISMS

1. Flower production
- GMOs in flower production are seen in modified color and extended vase life
- Examples are the so called “blue” roses, which are, in reality, lilac or purple, contained
cyanidin 3,5-diglucoside, together with large amount of flavonols
2. Paper production
- Modified characteristics of trees for higher yield of paper production
- Examples are poplar trees ,Lignin is a complex polymer in trees that removed from wood
to make paper through kraft process, through inserting genes that code for ferulic acid in
young poplar trees, the lignin structure is modified, making lignin easier to breakdown.
3. Pharmaceutical productions
- Modified plants to produce pharmaceutical products
- Examples are periwinkle plants. Bacterial genes were added to the periwinkle plants to
enhance the production of vinblastine, an alkaloid usually added to drugs for cancer
treatments like Hodgkin’s lymphoma

4. Bioremediation
- Use modified plants that can assist in the bioremediation of polluted sites
- An example is shrub tobacco, Nicotiana glauca, or shrub tobacco genetically modified
with phytochelatin TaPCSII, is used for bioremediation. It shows high level accumulation
of zinc, lead, cadmium, nickel, and boron and produces high biomass.

5. Enzyme and Drug production

- Use of microorganisms that can produce enzyme for food processing and medicines
- One example of this is CGTase ( cyclomaltodextrin glycosyltransferase, an enzyme used
for food flavor enhancer, is produced in higher quantity by bacterium Bacillus which was
genetically modified with the gene of a thermophilic anaerobe, thermoanaerobacter,
carrying CGTase

6. GMOs in the medical field

- Genetic engineering is playing a significant role from diagnosis to treatment of human-
dreaded diseases. It helps in the production of drugs, gene therapy, and laboratory
researches
- One classic example is Humulin, the genetically engineered insulin used by Type 1
diabetes patients who are insulin-dependent, in the past, insulin is extracted from the
pancreases of pigs and cows that have caused allergic reactions to some diabetics using it.

BENEFITS OF GMOS
1. Higher efficiency in farming
2. Increased in harvest
3. Control in fertility
4. Increase in food processing
5. Improvement of desirable characteristics

OTHER DIRECT AND INDIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS CAUSED BY GMOS

1. Direct environmental risks:

a. may cause disruption of the natural communities through competition or interference
b. . the possibility of an unexpected behavior of the GMOs in the environment if it escapes
its intended use and may post threats or become pest

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SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

c. . may cause harmful effects to the ecosystem process if GMOs interfere with the natural
biochemical cycles
d. The persistent of GMO genes after its harvest which may cause negative to the consumer
of GMO products

2. Indirect environment risk

a. Alteration of agricultural practices like managing negative impacts of GMOs to the
environment such as evolution of insects, pests, and weeds that became resistant to GMO
crops
b. May have impacts to biodiversity caused by the alteration in agricultural practices
c. May have varied environmental impacts due to GMOs interaction and release in the
natural environment

POTENTIAL HUMAN HEALTH RISK CAUSED BY GMOS

1. May have adverse effects since it is not naturally or organically produced

2. May alter the balance of existing microorganisms in the human digestive system
3. Production of toxins may be detrimental to human health
4. Production of allergens may have adverse effects on human

Worldwide, there are many groups that campaign against GMO food consumption. They encourage
people to boycott GMO products and to be vigilant in checking if the food they buy has GMO
ingredients. In the Philippines, the Supreme Court has ruled against the use of Bt eggplant, another
genetically modified crop

OTHER POTENTIAL RISKS THAT RAISE MAJOR CONCERN ARE:

1. Human genome Project ( HPG)

- Mapping of human genes to provide framework for research and studies in the field of
medicine. It was feared that the ability to produce human genetic information would
create biases and give much power to people holding the information and to the
disadvantages of those who do not have the genetic information.
2. Mutation of genetically engineered microorganisms
- Genetically modified bacteria and viruses may mutate to become more resistant or
virulent that may cause more dreadful diseases for human beings
3. Cloning
- The asexual reproduction of an organism using parent cell through genetic engineering.
In February 24, 1997, the first mammal, Dolly, a sheep from Scotland, was born through
cloning. With its celebrated success came the fear of human cloning. It emerge the ethical
issue of man “playing God”
The primary issue on GMOs presented in public debate it its unnatural production or what is termed to be
violation of nature. The creation of new organism, like GMOs, post moral issues on defiance to natural
laws< another concern is the potential risks to the environment and human health, to which so much is
unknown yet.

CECILIA K. POGONGAN