The Information Age  Everyday life has changed immensely because

(Gutenberg to Social Media) of the advent of technology.

The Information Age The Post-Gutenberg World: The Age of Social

 A.K.A.: The Age of Computer, The Digital Age & Media
The Media Age  The Internet and the World Wide Web in the
‘90s marked the modern world of technology.
 Characterized by transition from traditional
industry to information technology  Broadband Internet access made many things
accessible such as Facebook, Google, Youtube
 Economic stability depends on our technology etc.
today.
 Information now flowed between everyone
 Creates a knowledge-based society and this is now called the social information
surrounded by high-tech global economy that principle.
spans its influence on daily operations
efficiently and conveniently. BIODIVERSITY AND A HEALTHY SOCIETY
Unlocking Terms
 Able to allow individuals to explore
personalized needs. Biodiversity: The range of variation found among
microorganisms, plants, fungi, and animals. Also
 According to Von Baeyer, information might the richness of species of living organisms.
replace matter as the primary stuff of the
universe. (2005) Gene: A unit of inherited material. An organism’s
collection of genes determines what it is, what it
 Being informed means literacy. looks like, and often how it behaves.

 Information allows learners to connect with Organism: Any living thing

the tech environment and its modern world.
Species: A group of populations of similar
 The information age started when the organisms that reproduce among themselves, but
Gutenberg era was first established by do not naturally reproduce with any other kinds of
Johannes Gutenberg. organisms

 The Gutenberg principle. Population: A group of individuals belonging to

one species living
 The relationship of information and
distribution has shaped our society a lot. Community: Populations of organisms of different
species that interact with one another.
The Pre-Gutenberg Era
 Invention of the printing press kick started the Ecosystem: Any geographic area with all of the
emergence of new ideas. living organisms present and the nonliving parts of
their physical environment. Involves the
 Information in books were mostly restricted to movement and storage of energy and matter
small elite groups and had to rely on word-of- through living things and activities.
mouth for knowledge transmission.
What is Biodiversity?
The Gutenberg Revolution  Short for biological diversity. Biodiversity
 The printing press was considered a catalyst includes all organisms, species, and
for the Renaissance (the development of populations; the genetic variation among
science) and powers were lost from exclusive these; and all their complex assemblages of
monarchs and restrictive religious orders. communities and ecosystems.
 It also refers to the interrelatedness of genes, All of the Earth’s species work together to survive
species, and ecosystems and their interactions and maintain their ecosystems.
with the environment.
For example, the grass in pastures feeds cattle.
 Usually three levels of biodiversity are Cattle then produce manure that returns nutrients
discussed—genetic, species, and ecosystem to the soil, which helps to grow more grass.
diversity. This manure can also be used to fertilize cropland.
Many species provide important benefits to
• Genetic diversity is all the different genes humans, including food, clothing, and medicine.
contained in all individual plants, animals, fungi,
and microorganisms. It occurs within a species as Much of the Earth’s biodiversity, however, is in
well as between species. jeopardy due to human consumption and other
activities that disturb and even destroy ecosystems.
• Species diversity is all the differences within and
between populations of species, as well as Pollution, climate change, and population growth
between different species. are all threats to biodiversity. These threats have
caused an unprecedented rise in the rate of
• Ecosystem diversity is all the different habitats, species extinction.
biological communities, and ecological processes,
as well as variation within individual ecosystems. Some scientists estimate that half of all species on
Earth will be wiped out within the next century.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species Conservation efforts are necessary to preserve
on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and biodiversity and protect endangered species and
fungi. While Earth’s biodiversity is so rich that their habitats.
many species have yet to be discovered, many
species are being threatened with extinction due Why is Biodiversity Important?
to human activities, putting the Earth’s magnificent • Economic—biodiversity provides humans with
biodiversity at risk raw materials for consumption and production.
Many livelihoods, such as those of farmers, fishers
SCIENTISTS HAVE ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE and timber workers, are dependent on biodiversity.
AROUND 8.7 MILLION SPECIES OF PLANTS AND
ANIMALS IN EXISTENCE. • Ecological life support—biodiversity provides
functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean
HOWEVER, ONLY AROUND 1.2 MILLION SPECIES air and water, pollination of plants, pest control,
HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND DESCRIBED SO FAR, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem
MOST OF WHICH ARE INSECTS. services.

THIS MEANS THAT MILLIONS OF OTHER • Recreation—many recreational pursuits rely on

ORGANISMS REMAIN A COMPLETE MYSTERY. our unique biodiversity, such as birdwatching,
hiking, camping and fishing. Our tourism industry
Some areas in the world, such as areas of Mexico, also depends on biodiversity.
South Africa, Brazil, the southwestern United
States, and Madagascar, have more biodiversity • Cultural—the Australian culture is closely
than others. connected to biodiversity through the expression
of identity, through spirituality and through
Areas with extremely high levels of biodiversity aesthetic appreciation. Indigenous Australians
are called hotspots. have strong connections and obligations to
biodiversity arising from spiritual beliefs about
Endemic species—species that are only found in animals and plants.
one particular location—are also found in hotspots.
• Scientific—biodiversity represents a wealth of  Soil organisms also benefit from crops
systematic ecological data that help us to
understand the natural world and its origins  Bacteria feed on the cellulose fibers of straw
that farmers return to the soil.

Why is Biodiversity Important?  Amoebas feed on bacteria making lignite

• A larger number of plant species means a greater fibers available for uptake by plants
variety of crops
 Algae provide organic matter and serve as
• Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and natural nitrogen fixers
recover from a variety of disasters.
 Rodents that bore under the fields aerate the
• Biodiversity provides biological resources, such soil and improve its water-holding capacity
as food, medicinal resources and pharmaceutical
drugs, wood products, ornamental plants,  Spiders, centipedes and insects grind organic
breeding stocks. matter from the surface soil and leave behind
enriched droppings.
Why is Biodiversity Important?
 Greater species diversity ensures natural  Earthworms contribute to soil fertility. They
sustainability for all life forms. provide aerage, drainage and maintain soil
structure.
 Species depend on each other.
 The earthworm is like a natural tractor,
 While there might be survival of the fittest fertilizer factory and dam, combined!
within a given species, each species depends
on the services provided by other species to  Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity
ensure survival. where each species, no matter how small, all
have an important role to play.
 It is a type of cooperation based on mutual
survival and is often what a balanced  Industrial-farming techniques would deprive
ecosystem refers to. these diverse species of food sources and
instead assault them with chemicals,
 Ex. The Nitrogen Cycle shows the relationship destroying the rich biodiversity in the soil and
between soil, plants, bacteria and other life with it the basis for the renewal of the soil
forms. fertility.

Why is Biodiversity Important? Bees are crucial for agriculture.

 As an example, consider all the species of  Bees provide enormous benefits for
animals and organisms involved in a simple humankind as another example.
field used in agriculture.
 As reported by CNN (May 5, 2000), One third
 Crop byproducts feed cattle of all our food—fruits and vegetables—would
not exist without pollinators visiting flowers.
 Cattle waste feeds the soil that nourish the
crops  But honeybees, the primary species that
fertilizes food-producing plants, have suffered
 Crops, as well as yielding grain also yield straw dramatic declines in recent years, mostly from
afflictions introduced by humans like farming
 Straw provides organic matter and fodder practices (such as pesticides, large
monoculture cropping, etc)..
 Crops are therefore food sources for humans
and animals.
 Bees are vital to biodiversity. There are numbers but this can also result in a
130,000 plants for example for which bees are deterioration of the environment as the
essential to pollination, from melons to herbivores can graze more, largely unchecked.
pumpkins, raspberries and all kind of fruit Human intervention to perform the same
trees — as well as animal fodder — like clover services would be more costly

Interdependent Marine Ecosystem Interdependency vs Human Intervention

 It noted how a few decades ago, some  Nature can often be surprisingly resilient,
fishermen campaigned for killing whales often without the need for human
because they were threatening the fish supply interventions. For example, a documentary
and thus jobs. aired on the BBC in the 1990s described two
national parks in Africa where elephant
 A chain of events eventually came full circle populations had grown quite large within
and led to a loss of jobs: those artificial boundaries.

 The massive reduction in the local whale  The usual way to deal with this was to cull the
population meant killer whales in the region population to try and keep the ecosystem in
(usually preying on younger whales) moved to balance. Without this, elephants were
other animals such as seals; stripping vegetation bare, affecting other
animals, too.
 As seal numbers declined, the killer whales
targeted otters;  A scientist pleaded with park management not
to cull and let nature take its course. Being
 As otter numbers were decimated, the urchins against prevailing thought, they would not
and other targets of otters flourished; agree. In the end they agreed to let one park
have its elephants culled, while the other
 These decimated the kelp forests where many would be left alone.
fish larvae grew in relative protection;
 A few years later, they found the park with the
 The exposed fish larvae were easy pickings for culled population had remained in poor
a variety of sea life; condition. The park where things were left
alone has naturally regenerated; the large
 Fishermen’s livelihoods were destroyed. elephant populations eventually reduced in
number as they undermined their own
 Large carnivores are essential for healthy resource base. The natural pace at which this
ecosystems happened allowed vegetation to grow back.
Other wildlife grew in numbers and the
 Three quarters of the world’s big carnivores ecosystem was generally back in balance.
are in decline. A study in the journal Science,
notes that these large animals — such as lions, Biodiversity in the Philippines
leopards, wolves and bears — are in decline,  The Philippines is one of 18 mega-biodiverse
due to declining habitats and persecution by countries of the world, containing twothirds of
humans.. the earth’s biodiversity and between 70% and
80% of the world’s plant and animal species.
 As the study notes, human actions cannot fully
replace the role of large carnivores because  The Philippines ranks fifth in the number of
these large carnivores are an intrinsic part of plant species and maintains 5% of the world’s
an ecosystem’s biodiversity. . flora.

 As a simple example, the loss of a large  Species endemism is very high, covering at
carnivore may mean in the short term the least 25 genera of plants and 49% of terrestrial
herbivores they prey on may increase in
 wildlife, while the country ranks fourth in bird Threats to Biodiversity
endemism.  Species are becoming extinct at the fastest
rate known in geological history and most of
 The Philippines is also one of the world’s these extinctions have been tied to human
biodiversity hotspots with at least 700 activity.
threatened species, thus making it one of the
top global conservation areas.  The over-exploitation (overhunting, over-
fishing, or overcollecting) of a species or
 The national list of threatened faunal species population can lead to its demise.
was established in 2004 and includes 42
species of land mammals, 127 species of birds,  Human-generated pollution and
24 species of reptiles and 14 species of contamination can affect all levels of
amphibians. biodiversity.

 In terms of fishes, the Philippines counts at  Global climate change can alter environmental
least 3,214 species, of which about 121 are conditions. Species and populations may be
endemic and 76 threatened. lost if they are unable to adapt to new
conditions or relocate.
 In 2007, an administrative order issued by the
Department of Environment and Natural Threats to Biodiversity
Resources established a national list of  Habitat loss and destruction, usually as a direct
threatened plant species, indicating that 99 result of human activity and population
species were critically endangered, 187 were growth, is a major force in the loss of species,
endangered, 176 vulnerable as well as 64 populations, and ecosystems.
other threatened species.
 Alterations in ecosystem composition, such as
Biodiversity in the Philippines the loss or decline of a species, can lead to a
 The unique biodiversity is supported by a large loss of biodiversity.
variety of ecosystems, landscapes and habitats,
most of which are also greatly threatened by  For example, efforts to eliminate coyotes in
human activities. the canyons of southern California are linked
to decreases in song bird populations in the
 According to the FAO definition, the area. As coyote populations were reduced, the
Philippines has 7.2 million ha of forest populations of their prey, primarily raccoons,
ecosystems, comprising approximately 24% of increased. Since raccoons eat bird eggs, fewer
the total land area. coyotes led to more racoons eating more eggs,
resulting in fewer song birds.
 It is however estimated that, between 2000
and 2005, the Philippines lost 2.1% of its forest  The introduction of exotic (non-native) species
cover annually, representing the second can disrupt entire ecosystems and impact
fastest rate of deforestation in Southeast Asia populations of native plants or animals. These
(second to Myanmar) and seventh in the world. invaders can adversely affect native species by
eating them, infecting them, competing with
 The Philippines is part of the center of diversity them, or mating with them.
of rice, coconut, mung bean, taro and yam, as
well as the center of origin and diversity of Threats to Biodiversity
bananas in Southeast Asia. Yet this agricultural  In the forest ecosystem, the primary causes of
biodiversity is nowadays experiencing general forest loss are commercial exploitation and
decline, as is the land area devoted to these population growth (including lifestyle and
activities. consumption patterns) and the introduction of
invasive alien species.
 Loss of biodiversity in the agricultural
ecosystem is a direct consequence of habitat In-situ Conservation
destruction via conversion of agricultural land  In-situ conservation of biodiversity is the
to other uses; the possible negative impacts of conservation of species within their natural
biotechnology; natural calamities or extreme habitat by creating protected areas such as
weather events associated with climate national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and
change; introduction of invasive alien species, biosphere reserves.
pests and diseases; and inherent institutional
problems of government agencies responsible Biodiversity and its Conservation Methods
for conserving agrobiodiversity.
National Parks
Threats to biodiversity differ from one ecosystem  These are small reserves maintained by the
to another. government. Its boundaries are well
Threats to Biodiversity demarcated and human activities such as
 Yet the observed decline is also the indirect grazing, forestry, habitat and cultivation are
result of the increased demand for food, land prohibited.
and other agro-based resources; pursuit of
economic growth through intensive agriculture, Wildlife Sanctuaries
export-oriented policies and the promotion of  These are the regions where only wild animals
extractive industries, such as mining, that are are found. Human activities such as timber
potentially damaging to the environment; and harvesting, cultivation, collection of woods
lifestyle change of farmers brought about by and other forest products are allowed here as
urbanization. long as they do not interfere with the
conservation project. Also, tourists visit these
 Major threats to inland water biodiversity, as places for recreation.
well as marine and coastal environments,
include chemical pollution and eutrophication, Biosphere Reserves
fisheries operations, habitat alteration,  Biosphere reserves are multi-purpose
invasion of alien species and global climate protected areas where the wildlife, traditional
change. lifestyle of the inhabitants and domesticated
plants and animals are protected. Tourist and
What is Biodiversity Conservation ? research activities are permitted here.
 Biodiversity conservation is the protection and
management of biodiversity to obtain Advantages of In-situ Conservation:
resources for sustainable development.  It is a cost-effective and a convenient method
of conserving biodiversity.
 Biodiversity is being lost due to the loss of
habitat, over-exploitation of resources,  A large number of living organisms can be
climatic changes, pollution, invasive exotic conserved simultaneously.
species, diseases, hunting, etc. Since it
provides us with several economic and ethical  Since the organisms are in a natural ecosystem,
benefits and adds aesthetic value, it is very they can evolve better and can easily adjust to
important to conserve biodiversity. different environmental conditions.

Biodiversity and its Conservation Methods Ex-situ Conservation

 Biodiversity refers to the variability of life on
earth.  Ex-situ conservation of biodiversity involves
the breeding and maintenance of endangered
It can be conserved in the following ways: species in artificial ecosystems such as zoos,
nurseries, botanical gardens, gene banks, etc.
In-situ Conservation
Ex-situ Conservation
 There is less competition for food, water and resources that are essential for life on earth.
space among the organisms. Biodiversity also provides social benefits.
Advantages of Ex-situ Conservation:
Biodiversity and a Healthy Society
 The animals are provided with a longer time Genetically Modified Organisms
and breeding activity.
 The species breed in captivity can be What's Genetic Engineering?
reintroduced in the wild.  Genetic engineering is the process of using
 Genetic techniques can be used for the technology to change the genetic makeup of
preservation of endangered species. an organism - be it an animal, plant or a
bacterium.

 This can be achieved by using recombinant

DNA (rDNA), or DNA that has been isolated
from two or more different organisms and
then incorporated into a single molecule,
according to the National Human Genome
Research Institute (NHGRI).

 Recombinant DNA technology was first

developed in the early 1970s, and the first
genetic engineering company, Genentech, was
founded in 1976. The company isolated the
genes for human insulin into E. coli bacteria,
FAQs which allowed the bacteria to produce human
insulin.
What do you understand by biodiversity?
 Biodiversity refers to the variety of plants and Genetic Engineering
animals found on earth. It measures the  Since the 1980s, genetic engineering has been
variations at ecosystem, species and genetic used to produce infection-resistant crops such
level. as the HoneySweet Plum.

What is meant by biodiversity conservation?  These organisms made by genetic engineering,

 Biodiversity conservation means protection, called genetically modified organisms (GMOs),
conservation and management of the can be bred to be less susceptible to diseases
biodiversity in order to obtain sustainable or to with stand specific environmental
benefits for future generations. conditions.

How can we conserve biodiversity?  After approval by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), Genentech produced
Biodiversity can be conserved by: the first recombinant DNA drug, human insulin,
 Preventing the cutting of trees. in 1982.
 Putting a ban on hunting of animals.
 Efficient utilization of natural resources.  The first genetically engineered vaccine for
 Protected areas should be developed for humans was approved by the FDA in 1987 and
animals where was for hepatitis B
no human activities are allowed.
What is a GMO?
Why is it important to conserve biodiversity?  “GMO,” which stands for genetically modified
 Biodiversity conservation is important because organism.
biodiversity provides certain services and
 It refers to any organism whose DNA has been best known for helping the body process
modified using genetic engineering technology. alcohol.
 The researchers developed a synthetic version
 This creates combinations of plant, animal, of the gene that produces 2E1 and introduced
bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in it to pothos ivy so that each cell in the
nature or through traditional crossbreeding houseplant would express the protein.
methods.
 To test how well the modified plants
 In the food industry, GMO crops have had detoxified air compared to regular pothos ivy,
genes added to them for various reasons, such the team put each type of plant into a glass
as improving their growth, nutritional content, tube and inserted either benzene or
sustainability, pest resistance, and ease of chloroform gas.
farming.
 Over the course of 11 days, the researchers
 For example, one of the most common GMO measured the levels of pollutants in each tube.
crops is Bt corn, which is genetically modified
to produce the insecticide Bt toxin.  Within three days, the concentration of
chloroform dropped by 82 percent with the
 By making this toxin, the corn is able to resist modified plants. By six days, it was nearly
pests, reducing the need for pesticides. undetectable.

 After eight days, the benzene concentration in

the tubes with the modified plants had
decreased by approximately 75 percent.

 Meanwhile, the concentration of the gases in

 In fact, it’s estimated that up to 80% of foods the unmodified plants stayed the same
in supermarkets contain ingredients that come throughout the study. This Genetically
from genetically modified crops. Modified Houseplant Can Detoxify the Polluted
Air in Your Home
GMO Apples, Potatoes
 They are simply apples that lack the enzyme Philippines Approves GMO
that makes apples go brown when exposed to Rice to Fight Malnutrition
the air.  A breed of rice genetically engineered to
combat vitamin A deficiency has received
A team of scientists at the University of approval from regulators in the Philippines.
Washington has genetically modified a common
houseplant, the pothos ivy (Epipremnum aureum),  Supporters say "Golden Rice" could remedy a
to efficiently remove two toxins — chloroform and condition that kills up to 250,000 children each
benzene — from the air around it. year worldwide and blinds twice that number,
according to the World Health Organization.
 Plants remove toxins in the air quickly and
effectively  It's the first genetically modified organism
(GMO) designed to fight a public health issue
 In order to create a plant that could remove to get a green light from food safety officials in
toxic particles from the air, the research team the developing world.
decided to use a protein called cytochrome
P450 2E1, also known as “2E1” or “green liver.”  Golden Rice has faced vigorous opposition
from GMO opponents throughout its
 2E1 is present in the livers of mammals. It development, citing safety concerns and other
helps break down chemicals like benzene and issues. Protesters destroyed test fields in the
chloroform so they can exit the body. 2E1 is Philippines in 2013.
  Eggplant is susceptible to the eggplant fruit
 The Philippine Department of Agriculture and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis; EFSB).
Bureau of Plant Industry announced
Wednesday that Golden Rice is as safe as  A priority-setting exercise conducted in India,
conventional rice. Regulators in the United Bangladesh, and the Philippines with local
States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand stakeholders in the public and private sectors
have also cleared the grain of safety issues. identified Bt eggplant with resistance to EFSB
as a high-priority product (Gregory et al., 2008).
 After 20 years of development, "it feels
absolutely tremendous" to reach this stage,  Varieties of Bt eggplant were later produced
said Adrian Dubock, Executive Secretary of the through a public–private partnership that
Golden Rice Humanitarian Board, the included several different entities and were
nonprofit working to take the crop from the submitted for regulatory approval in the three
lab to the field. countries.

 Two added genes turn rice golden, one from  At the time of writing this report (2016),
maize and one from a soil bacterium. Under commercial release had taken place in
their direction, rice grains produce beta Bangladesh but not in India or the Philippines
carotene, the vitamin A precursor that makes
carrots and sweet potatoes orange. A third  Approval of Bt eggplant was pending in India in
bacterial gene serves as a traceable marker. 2009 but was halted in early 2010 when the
minister of environment and forests
 In the Philippines, vitamin A deficiency among responded to allegations by some members of
children has increased from 15.2% in 2008 to the public that there was insufficient data to
20.4% in 2013, despite a national supplement confirm that the crop was safe to eat.
program, according to the Philippines-based
International Rice Research Institute, which is  The minister declared a moratorium on the
developing the crop. commercial release of Bt eggplant (Jayaraman,
2010). Field trials were reinitiated in 2014
 Golden Rice could provide up to half of a under the impetus of a new Indian
young child's daily needs, IRRI says. government, but according to local media
https://www.voanews.com/science- reporting, Greenpeace and others filed a plea
health/philippinesapproves-gmo-rice-fight- to the Indian Supreme Court for the trials to be
malnutrition banned (Chauhan, 2014).

Bt Technology for Eggplant  Bt eggplant trials were going on in the

Philippines in September 2013, when a
 Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a common Philippine court ordered that they be stopped
soil bacterium that contains a gene which because of concerns that GE crops posed risks
produces a protein harmful to FSB. to human health and the environment after a
campaign led by Greenpeace (Laursen, 2013).
 Scientists have incorporated this gene to
eggplant to confer insect resistance.  In April 2014, a group of farmers asked the
Philippine Supreme Court to reverse the ruling;
The Unfolding Story of Bt Eggplant in Bangladesh, in September 2014, the Supreme Court
India, and the Philippines allowed the Biotechnology Coalition of the
Philippines to become involved in the case.
 Eggplant is an economically and nutritionally
important crop in South Asia and Southeast  The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s
Asia, where it is widely cultivated and ruling to permanently ban field trials for Bt
consumed. eggplant on December 8, 2015
(InterAksyon.com, 2015).
 In October 2013, after 7 years of field and What are the impacts of GMOs on the
greenhouse trials, Bangladesh approved the environment?
release of Bt eggplant for seed production and  More than 80% of all genetically modified
commercialization; planting started in early crops grown worldwide have been engineered
2014 (the wet season) (Choudhary et al., 2014). for herbicide tolerance.
In the wet and dry seasons of 2014, 12
hectares total of Bt eggplant were planted in  As a result, the use of toxic herbicides, such as
Bangladesh (James, 2014). In 2015, 25 Roundup®, has increased fifteenfold since
hectares were planted (James, 2015). GMOs were first introduced.

Are GMOs safe?  In March 2015, the World Health Organization

 • In the absence of credible independent long- determined that the herbicide glyphosate (the
term feeding studies, the safety of GMOs is key ingredient in Roundup®) is “probably
unknown. Increasingly, citizens are taking carcinogenic to humans.”
matters into their own hands and choosing to
opt out of the GMO experiment.  Genetically modified crops also are responsible
• https://www.nongmoproject.org/gmo-facts/ for the emergence of “superweeds” and
“superbugs,” which can only be killed with
Are GMOs labeled? ever more toxic poisons such as 2,4-D (a major
 Sixty-four countries around the world, ingredient in Agent Orange).
including Australia, Japan, and all of the
countries in the European Union, require  The long term impacts of these GMOs are
genetically modified foods to be labeled. unknown. Once released into the environment,
Canada does not require any GMO labeling. these novel organisms cannot be recalled.

 GMOs are not currently labeled in the United GMO foods may offer several advantages to the
States. However, the National Bioengineered grower and consumer.
Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) was  For starters, many GMO crops have been
published in the Federal Register on December genetically modified to express a gene that
21, 2018. This law, which is called the DARK protects them against pests and insects.
Act, is the start of mandatory GMO labeling in
the United States. It means that some—but  For example, the Bt gene is commonly
not all—products containing GMOs will have genetically engineered into crops like corn,
to be labeled by 2022. In its current form, cotton, and soybeans. It comes from a
categorical exemptions prevent this law from naturally occurring bacteria known as Bacillus
delivering the meaningful protections thuringiensis.
Americans deserve.
 This gene produces a protein that is toxic to
Which foods might contain GMOs? several pests and insects, which gives the GMO
 Most packaged foods contain ingredients plants a natural resistance. As such, the GMO
derived from corn, soy, canola, and sugar beet crops don’t need to be exposed to harmful
— and the vast majority of those crops grown pesticides as often.
in North America are genetically modified.
 In fact, an analysis of 147 studies from 2014
 Animal products: The Non-GMO Project also found that GMO technology has reduced
considers livestock, apiculture, and chemical pesticide use by 37% and increased
aquaculture products at high risk because crop yields by 22% .
genetically engineered ingredients are
common in animal feed.  Other GMO crops have been modified with
genes that help them survive stressful
 This impacts animal products such as: eggs, conditions, such as droughts, and resist
milk, meat, honey, and seafood.
 diseases like blights, resulting in a higher yield  In addition, research has shown that GMO
for farmers. foods are no likelier to trigger allergies than
their non-GMO counterparts.
 Together, these factors help lower the costs
for the farmers and consumers because it  Yet, if you have a soy allergy, both GMO and
allows a greater crop yield and growth through non-GMO soy products will prompt an allergic
harsher conditions. reaction.

 Additionally, genetic modification can increase Cancers

the nutritional value of foods. For example,  Similarly, there’s a common concern that GMO
rice high in beta carotene, also called golden foods may aid the progression of cancers.
rice, was developed to help prevent blindness
in regions where local diets are chronically  Because cancers are caused by DNA mutations,
deficient in vitamin A . some people fear that eating foods with added
genes may affect your DNA.
 Moreover, genetic modification may be used
simply to enhance the flavor and appearance  This worry may stem partly from an early mice
of foods, such as the non-browning apple. study, which linked GMO intake to a higher
risk of tumors and early death. However, this
 In addition, current research suggests that study was later retracted because it was
GMO foods are safe for consumption. poorly designed.

KEY CONCERNS AROUND GMO CONSUMPTION.  Currently, no human research ties GMO intake
 Although current research suggests that GMO to cancers.
foods are safe, there is some concern around
their long-term safety and environmental  The American Cancer Society (ACS) has stated
impact. that there’s no evidence to link GMO food
intake to an increased or decreased risk of
Allergies cancer.
 There is some concern that GMO foods may
trigger an allergic reaction.  All the same, no long-term human studies exist.
Thus, more long-term human research is
 This is because GMO foods contain foreign needed.
genes, so some people worry that they harbor
genes from foods that may prompt an allergic Other environmental and health concerns around
reaction. A study from the mid-1990s found GMOs
that adding a protein from Brazil nuts to GMO  Although GMO crops are convenient for
soybeans could trigger an allergic reaction in farmers, there are environmental concerns.
people sensitive to Brazil nuts. However, after
scientists discovered this, they quickly  Most GMO crops are resistant to herbicides,
abandoned this GMO food. such as Roundup. This means that farmers can
use Roundup without fear of it harming their
 Although allergy concerns are valid, there have own crops.
been no reports of allergic reactions to GMO
foods currently on the market.  However, a growing number of weeds have
developed resistance to this herbicide over
 According to the FDA, researchers who time. This has led to even more Roundup being
develop GMO foods run tests to ensure that sprayed on crops to kill the resistant weeds
allergens aren’t transferred from one food to because they can affect the crop harvest .
another.
 Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate
are subject to controversy because animal and
 test-tube studies have linked them to various
diseases .

 Still, a review of multiple studies concluded

that the low amounts of glyphosate present on
GMO foods are safe for human consumption.

 GMO crops also allow for fewer pesticide

applications, which is a positive for the
environment.

Application of Transgenic Animals

 WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY? The South rose window of Notre Dame Cathedral,
 Nanotechnology is a field of research and ca 1250
innovation concerned with building 'things' -
generally, materials and devices - on a
nanoscale which is about 1 to 100 nanometers.

 A nanometre is one-billionth of a metre: ten

times the diameter of a hydrogen atom. 1
nanometer = 10-9 meter How is nanotechnology used in everyday life?
 The average person already encounters nanotechnology
 The diameter of a human hair is, on average, in a range of everyday consumer products.
80,000 nanometres.  silver nanocrystals embedded in bandages to kill
bacteria and prevent infection
 It involves the characterization, design, and
production of structures, devices, and systems  Silver nanocrystals are used to deliver antimicrobial
with unique properties by fine tuning the properties in hand washes and socks
physical, chemical, mechanical, and optical  zinc oxide or titanium nanoparticles are the active
properties of materials at the nanoscale (DOST, UV protective elements in modern sunscreens.
2015)
 Improved display screens on desktops, portable and
handheld electronic devices, and memory chips with
increased density

 Nanocomposite plastic bottle, designed to stop

carbonated beverages from going flat.

 Clothes coated with nanoparticles of silica to make it

water and stain repellent.

 Carbon nanotubes are one hundred times stronger than

steel and are lighter, making them ideal for sports
equipment such as bikes or tennis racket.

NANOSILVER CONTAINING MILK BOTTLES EXTEND

Nanotechnology in Pre Modern Era THE SHELF OF LIFE OF MILK UP TO 15 DAYS
4th Century: The Lycurgus Cup (Rome) is an
example of dichroic glass; colloidal gold and Nanotechnology in Medicine
silverin the glass allow it to look opaque green
Drug Delivery
when lit from outside but translucent red when  One application of nanotechnology in medicine
light shines through the inside. currently being developed involves employing
nanoparticles to deliver drugs, heat, light or other
substances to specific types of cells (such as cancer
cells). Particles are engineered so that they are
attracted to diseased cells, which allows direct
treatment of those cells. This technique reduces
damage to healthy cells in the body and allows for
earlier detection of disease.
The Lycurgus Cup at the British Museum, lit from the
outside (left) and from the inside (right)  For example researchers at North Carolina State
University are developing a method to deliver cardiac
stem cells to damaged heart tissue. They attach
6th-15th Centuries: Vibrant stained glass windows nanovesicles that are attracted to an injury to the stem
in European cathedrals owed their rich colors to cells to increase the amount of stem cells delivered to
nanoparticles of gold chloride and other metal an injured tissue.
oxides and chlorides; gold nanoparticles also acted
as photocatalytic air purifiers.
Diagnostic Techniques 4. Sustainable water use:
 Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are using  Biodegradable hydrogels show an increased soil
antibodies attached to carbon nanotubes in chips to moisture of up to 400% compared to soil that hasn’t
detect cancer cells in the blood stream. The researchers been amended with hydrogel.
believe this method could be used in simple lab tests
that could provide early detection of cancer cells in the Nanotechnology in the Philippines
bloodstream. Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for
Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development
 A test for early detection of kidney damage is being (DOST PCASTRD)
developed. The method uses gold nanorods
functionalized to attach to the type of protein Notable products developed in the strengthened
generated by damaged kidneys. When protein nanotechnology programs of the University of the
accumulates on the nanorod the color of the nanorod Philippines Los Baños include:
shifts. The test is designed to be done quickly and
inexpensively for early detection of a problem. 1) nanosilica-based fertilizer that increases germination and
growth rate of tomatoes
Antibacterial Treatments
 • Researchers at the University of Houston are 2) fruitect® coating technology which boosts shelf life of high
developing a technique to kill bacteria using gold valued fruits such as mango and papaya
nanoparticles and infrared light. This method may lead
to improved cleaning of instruments in hospital settings. 3) nanoencapsulated plant growth regulators which
enhances germination and root development of coffee,
Wound Treatment banana, and cassava.
 For trauma patients with internal bleeding another way
to reduce the blood loss is needed. Nanotechnology risk assessment is a process through which
these advanced materials are evaluated to better understand
 Researchers at Chase Western Reserve University are their potential to harm humans and the environment,
developing polymer nanoparticles that act as synthetic combined with the likelihood that there could be any
platelets. exposure to the material, including the extent and duration
of that exposure.
 Lab tests have shown that injection of these synthetic
platelets significantly reduces blood loss.

Nanotechnology in Agriculture
 fertilizer nanoparticles, nanocapsules, and viral capsids
for better nutrients absorption of plants and site-
specific nutrient delivery (Anjali et al., 2012)

 Soil Improvement and Water/liquid retention

Nanomaterials like zeolites and nanoclays are used to
hold water and liquid agrochemicals in soil for their
subsequent slow release to plants
Environmental, Health, and Safety Implications of
Promising Case Studies on Nanotechnology Applications Nanomaterials
1. Treatment of seeds: Although some of these are speculative, scientists have valid
 A 29.5% and 26.3% increase yield of peanuts while using concerns regarding short and long-term threats to the human
15% less nanomaterial (zinc) in comparison to its bulk body and environment because of recent laboratory findings:
counterpart was found in two field researches in India.  Exposure to fullerenes killed water fleas

2. Enhanced delivery:  Fullerenes caused extensive brain damage and changed

 30% of people worldwide and 40%of schoolchildren the physiological make-up of fish
suffer from iron deficiency. This is further aggravated by
TBC, HIV and malaria.  Earthworms absorbed fullerenes that easily traveled
 A study on fertilizers containing nano iron particles has through soil
shown nanotechnology can increase the iron level in
watermelons substantially.  Nanoparticles built-up in the bodies of lab animals
subjected to long term exposure
3. Pollution detection:
 Mercury is toxic in small amounts and identified by the  Qdots caused cadmium poisoning in humans
WHO as a serious threat to the health of young children
and especially fetuses.  Nanoparticles can travel through a mother’s placenta
 Nanosensors based on silver particles are able to detect
these small amounts of mercury in soil and plants  Nanoparticles can assist in the formation of free radicals
Studies on Nanoparticle Effects Global Warming and Climate Change
 In March 2004, tests conducted by environmental
toxicologist Eva Oberdörster, Ph.D., of Southern The Impact of Technology on the Environment
Methodist University in Texas, found extensive brain
damage to fish exposed to fullerenes for a period of just What is global warming?
48 hours at a relatively moderate dose of 0.5 parts per  Global warming refers to the rise in the near surface
million — comparable with levels of other pollutants temperature of the planet Earth caused by the buildup
found in similar environments. The fish also exhibited of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that
changed gene markers in their livers, indicating their warms the atmosphere.
entire physiology was affected. In a concurrent test, the
fullerenes killed water fleas, an important link in the  Global temperatures have soared by 1.8 degree Celsius
marine food chain. over the last 100 years.

 Oberdörster could not say whether fullerenes would  Earth’s average temperature in 1999 was the fifth
also cause brain damage in humans, but she cautioned highest since the mid-1800s.
that more studies are necessary and that the
accumulation of fullerenes over time could be a concern,  The three warmest years on record were 1998, 1997,
particularly if they were allowed to enter the food chain. and 1995.
Earlier studies in 2002 by the Center for Biological and
Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) indicated  Global temperatures in 1998 may have been the highest
nanoparticles accumulated in the bodies of lab animals, in the last 1200 years.
and still other studies showed fullerenes travel freely
through soil and could be absorbed by earthworms. This What is greenhouse effect?
is a potential link up the food chain to humans and  The natural trapping of heat in
presents one of the possible dangers of nanotechnology. the atmosphere is referred to as
the greenhouse effect.
 Other nanoparticles have also been shown to have
adverse effects. Research from University of California
in San Diego in early 2002 revealed cadmium selenide What is enhanced greenhouse effect?
nanoparticles, also called quantum dots, can cause  The additional warming that may
cadmium poisoning in humans. Cadmium is toxic in any be produced by increased levels
form that can be absorbed by the body, but the tiny size of gases that absorb infrared
of these particles may increase the risk of accidental radiation is known as the
exposure. In 2004, British scientist Vyvyan Howard enhanced greenhouse effect.
published initial findings that indicated gold
nanoparticles might move through a pregnant woman's
placenta to her fetus. Even as far back as 1997,
scientists at Oxford discovered nanoparticles used in
sunscreen created free radicals that damaged DNA.

Greenhouse Gases
 The gases that absorb heat (infrared radiation) are known
as greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse gases include:

 Carbon dioxide CO2
 Methane CH4
 Nitrous oxide N2O
 Chlorofluorocarbons CFCs
 Tropospheric ozone O3
The three most common types of greenhouse gases that Fertilizers
humans release are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous  Farmers use fertilizers to provide nutrients to crops.
oxide. Synthetic (i.e. man-made) fertilizers release nitrous oxide
when they break down.
Carbon Dioxide  Fertilizers that are used for agriculture are the main
 77% of greenhouse gas emissions source of nitrous oxide emissions worldwide.

Causes of Global Warming

Methane
 The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon.
 14% of greenhouse gas emissions
However, the increase in greenhouse gases is linked to
human activities. It is thus no surprise that the world's
Nitrous Oxide leading climate scientists believe that human activities
 8% of greenhouse gas emissions are very likely the main cause of global warming since
the mid-twentieth century.

USE of FOSSIL FUELS

 The massive use of fossil fuels is the first source of
global warming as burning coal, oil and gas produces
carbon dioxide as well as nitrous oxide.

DEFORESTATION
 The exploitation of forests has a major role in global
warming. Trees help regulate the climate by absorbing
CO2 from the atmosphere. When they are cut down, this
Sources of Carbon Dioxide positive effect is lost and the carbon stored in the trees is
 Carbon dioxide is added to the atmosphere by human released into the atmosphere.
activities. When hydrocarbon fuels (i.e. wood, coal,
natural gas, gasoline, and oil) are burned, carbon  Along with other Southeast Asian countries deforestation
dioxide is released. in the Philippines is a major environmental issue. Over
 Natural sources of carbon dioxide include respiration, the course of the 20th century, the forest cover of the
decomposition and ocean release country dropped from 70 percent down to 20 percent.

INTENSIVE FARMING
 Another cause of global warming is intensive farming,
not only with the ever-increasing livestock, but also with
plant protection products and fertilizers. In fact, cattle
and sheep produce large amounts of methane when
digesting their food, while fertilizers produce nitrous
oxide emissions.

WASTE DISPOSAL
 Waste management methods like landfills and
incineration emit greenhouse and toxic gases - including
Sources of Methane (CH4): methane
Organic Waste  that are released into the atmosphere, soil and waterways,
 Humans create a lot of waste. Over 30% of this waste is contributing to the increase of the greenhouse effect.
organic material, like food scraps. When buried organic
material decays in a landfill, it releases methane. OVERPOPULATION AND OVERCONSUMPTION
 Finally, overconsumption also plays a major role in
Livestock global warming and climate change. In fact, it is
 Animals are raised to create food for humans. Cows, responsible for the overexploitation of natural resources
sheep, goats and other animals create methane as part of and emissions from international freight transport, which
their normal digestive process. As a result, livestock is both contribute to global warming.
the main source of human caused methane emissions
worldwide. EFFECTS of GLOBALWARMING

Sources of Nitrous Oxide (N2O) On Biodiversity

Transportation  The increase of temperatures and the climate upheavals
 Nitrous oxide is produced as a byproduct when fuels are disturb the ecosystems, modify the conditions and cycles
burned to power motor vehicles. The amount of nitrous of plant reproduction. The scarcity of resources and
oxide that's produced depends on the type of fuel and the climate change are changing life habits and migratory
vehicle's technology. cycles of animals. We are already witnessing the
disappearance of many species - including endemic
 species - or, conversely, the intrusion of invasive species CLIMATE CHANGE
that threaten crops and other animals.  Refers to changes in any aspect of the earth’s climate
including temperature, precipitation, storm intensity, and
On Oceans rainfall patterns.
 Because of global warming, permafrost and ice are
melting massively at the poles, increasing the sea level at ELEMENTS OF CLIMATE
a rate never known before. In a century, the increase
reached 18 cm (including 6 cm in the last 20 years). The TEMPERATURE
worst case scenario is a rise of up to 1m by 2100.  HIGHER MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES AND MORE
HOT DAYS IN NEARLY ALL LAND AREAS
 The acidification of the oceans is also of great concern.
In fact, the large amount of CO2 captured by the oceans PRECIPITATION
makes them more acidic, arousing serious questions  MORE INTENSE PRECIPITATION EVENTS OVER
about the adaptability of seashells or coral reefs. MANY NORTHERN HEMISPHERE MIDDLE TO
HIGH LATITUDE LAND AREAS
 When water is too warm, corals will expel the algae
(zooxanthellae) living in their tissues causing the coral to Climatic Regions of the World
turn completely white. This is called coral bleaching.
When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive
a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are
subject to mortality.

How do we Prevent Global Warming and Climate Change?

Renewable Energies
 The first way to prevent climate change is to move away
from fossil fuels.

What are the alternatives?

 Renewable energies like solar, wind, biomass and
geothermal.

Energy & Water Efficiency

 Producing clean energy is essential, but reducing our
On the Weather consumption of energy and water by using more efficient
 For decades now, meteorologists and climatologists devices (e.g. LED light bulbs, innovative shower systems)
around the world have been watching the effects of is less costly and equally important
global warming on the weather phenomena. And the
impact is huge: more droughts and heatwaves, more Sustainable Transportation
precipitations, more natural disasters like floods,  Promoting public transportation, carpooling, but also
hurricanes, storms and wildfires, frost-free season, etc. electric and hydrogen mobility, can definitely help
reduce CO2 emissions and thus fight global warming
On Humans
 Human beings are not spared by these upheavals. Sustainable Infrastructure
Climate change is affecting the global economy. It is  In order to reduce the CO2 emissions from buildings -
already shaking up social, health and geopolitical caused by heating, air conditioning, hot water or lighting
balances in many parts of the world. The scarcity of - it is necessary both to build new low energy buildings,
resources like food and energy gives rise to new conflicts. and to renovate the existing constructions.

 Rising sea levels and floods are causing population Responsible Consumption & Recycling
migration. Small island states are in the front line. The  Adopting responsible consumption habits is crucial, be it
estimated number of climate refugees by 2050 is 250 regarding food (particularly meat), clothing, cosmetics or
million people. cleaning products.

Global Warming and Climate Change Circular Economy

The main effect of global warming is climate change.  Use the 3 r's of circular economy (Reduce, Reuse and
Recycle) to significantly reduce our waste and avoid
unnecessary production of new items.
 SIMPLE THINGS TO DO Origin of the Concept
 Turn off your tv when you’re not using it.  The concept and name of the carbon footprint derive
from the ecological footprint concept which was
 Take shorter showers. Heating water uses energy. developed by William E. Rees and Mathis Wackernagel
in the 1990s.
 Dress lightly when it’s hot instead of turning the air
conditioner or electric fan  While carbon footprints are usually reported in tons of
emissions (CO2-equivalent) per year, ecological
 Turn off the lights when you leave a room footprints are usually reported in comparison to what the
planet can renew.
 Plant Trees
 This assesses the number of "earths" that would be
 Walk short distances instead of asking for a ride required if everyone on the planet consumed resources at
the same level as the person calculating their ecological
footprint.

 The carbon footprint is one part of the ecological

footprint. Carbon footprints are more focused than
ecological footprints since they measure merely
emissions of gases that cause climate change into the
atmosphere.

Humanity needs what nature provides, but how do we

know how much we’re using and how much we have to use?

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT
The Method of Calculation of Ecological Footprint
 In 1992, William Rees, a Professor at the University of
British Colombia, published information about the
ecological footprint for the first time.

 At the University of British Colombia, Rees along with

Mathis Wackernagel developed the method of
calculation of ecological footprint.

 They came up with the idea of 'appropriated carrying

capacity' and Rees later named it as the ecological
footprint.

 In four years, that was in 1996, they published a book on

this subject.

 The Ecological Footprint measures how much land and

water area a human population requires to produce the
resource it consumes and to absorb its wastes.
How many planet Earths would it take to support
humanity if everybody lived a given lifestyle?
 For 2006, humanity’s total ecological footprint was
estimated at 1.4 planet Earths

It now takes the Earth one year and six months to regenerate
what we use in a year.

 At present, 1.7 hectares per person is the accepted

ecological benchmark for global sustainability.

 With the anticipated global population of 10 billion for

the year 2050 or before, the available space will be
reduced to 1.2 hectares, including sea space.WHY?

Overpopulation and Overconsumption

• Rich countries = 20% global population
= Use 86% of resources

• Other countries = 80% global population

= Use 14% of resources

The ecological capacity of the world is smaller

than the population’s ecological footprint!