Genetic Modification equates to Sustainable Development??

High tech, innovative, futuristic – these are the words that we say when we see new tools. These new tools help us to increase our control and understanding of our environment – technology. Technology has come a long way through centuries of discovery: from stone weapons to metals, natural to synthetic, bone fire to electric stoves. A great advancement indeed and it also helped us to live our life easily since technologists, together with scientists, continuously present us new tools.

With the greater public demand to use innovative tools, technologists and scientists seek every possible source of advancement. Perhaps the most recent and controversial technology ever made is the use of genetic engineering. It is the most recent since it is only in the latter part of the 20^th century that the genes in the DNA of an organism have been available for scientific studies with the creation of PCR techniques and such. This technology has been controversial because of the ethics behind human manipulation of genes to yield their perspective organisms. Some religious organizations connote these kind of technology as a play of God since the scientists and technologists’ max-and-match the genes of organisms to have the “perfect” organism they can benefit from.  

This technology does not only involved human or animal genes, but it is commonly involved with the genes of plants. Plants that are genetically engineered are called Genetically Modified Plants, or in broader terms, Organisms. Genetic modifications of plants involve the selection and transferring of different genes to make an organism more useful. 

BT Corn

Many critiques argued that, although plants may be altered into more useful organisms, the effects can outweigh the advantages of this technology. In the internet, there is a wide-spread of issues talking about the detrimental effects of the plants - it creates incredibly toxic colons, alters the genetic make up of good bacteria and other various health hazards associated with the consumption of such. It has been a big issue in the worldwide web with all the mockery that can be done to the GMOs. 

Nevertheless, scientists and technologists still pursue the use of such technique that led civilians to compose groups to fight the growth of the industry. Their strongest argument is that the GM plants will help solve famine while caring for the environment. 

In the light of the Philippines Agenda 21 which promotes Sustainable Development, the justification of the existence of the GM plants may be grounded. The society is composed of the civilians, the government and economy together with the natural resources, in whatever endeavor is the framework for the sustainable development and branches out to other dimensions and principles.

In the plus side, the existence of GM plants have made great progress in human development by inculcating new knowledge to the society, therefore, the society grows with them as well as the economy of that certain country. 

However, the negative side is far ahead of the plus side. Human development in the plus side is only in the knowledge or science behind the technology, but human development in terms of life style and longevity are jeopardized by the effects in the health of, not only humans, living things. The spiritual, cultural and moral development is also compromised because the scientists and technologists manipulate the genes of these organisms and some may be greedy and/or overstep the boundaries of science and nature. Societal development in the global cooperation becomes competitive for new products to present which may even lead to warfare which in turn may also compromise the political development. Most importantly, the ecological development of a certain area where Gm plants are grown will be in trouble. The natural flora will be affected if a new organism is introduced to their habitat, especially if the GM plants are pesticide or herbicide-tolerant. The biodiversity of the area may decline because of the mechanism of actions of some genes introduced to the plant. 

With all these issue present and the existing studies that published, we must always think of the consequences of our actions and how we tolerate the actions of others. If we tolerate the genetic manipulation of plants, what will happen to our moral being? Our spirituality? Most importantly, if we eat this things, what will happen in the long-run. We may live to be fifty years old and only then will we ever see the negative effects to our bodies and to the environment. We must always remember there is more than what meets the eye: scientists and technologists may present aesthetic products but has detrimental secrets inside of it. Moreover, it is a no time-limit to science, manifestations of probable effects may only be seen after generations from us. Whatever path we chose on this endeavor, there are always be a feedback, much like the yin of yang, and we must be prepared. 

References:

Natural News Network. (2008). GMOs news and articles. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.naturalnews.com/GMOs.html 

Ocampo, D. (2008). GMOs Potential threat to Fertility. Greenpeace. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/en/press/releases/gmos-potential-threat-to-ferti 

Philipps, T. (n.d.) What are GMOs? Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://biotech.about.com/od/faq/f/GMOs.htm

Relfe, S. (n.d.). genetically engineered organisms (GMOs): the greatest threat ever to humans and animals. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.relfe.com/GMOs.html

Say No to GMOs Organization. (n.d.) 10 reasons why we don't need GM foods. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.saynotogmos.org/10reasons_need.pdf

Whitmann, D. B. (2000). Geneticall modified foods: harmful or helpful? Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

Insurgency for Science's Sake

We are now in the 21st century, and many say that we have come a long way from how our ancestors have lived. We now have so many things that make our lives a breeze - new tools and deep understanding on how living- and non-living things work. But how did we ever made it this far? It's because of a systematic body of knowledge, we now know as S-C-I-E-NCE. Science, as they say, paved the road from the ignorance to knowledge because of the discoveries of scientists. Nevertheless, many of us do not pay attention as to how these knowledges were deciphered by the scientists.

For centuries, beginning with the ancients, scientists have sought different ways to explain the phenomena of nature. Thus, they have constructed a guideline on how to do so: the scientific method. It is a step-by-step process of observation, prediction and experimentation for a scientific study. Although there is an "established" scientific method, new knowledge led scientists to present different approaches. (Take quizzes to test your mastery of the Scientific Method: http://www.quizmoz.com/quizzes/Science-Quizzes/s/Scientific-Method-Quiz.asp, http://www.biology4kids.com/extras/quiz_studyscimeth/q02.html)

Galileo Galilei and his telescope

For more facts visit
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/08/090825-galileos-telescope-400-anniversary-facts.html

Galileo presenting his theory to priests

One of the prominent revolutionary scientists in the Renaissance period is Galileo Galilei. Most us only regard him as the one who invented the telescope; what we didn't know was that he is one of the scientists that initiated the scientific revolution.

Galileo in his trial against the Roman Catholic Church 

He initiated the split between science and religion from his works on physics, inspired by Nicolaus Copernicus. Galilei used mathematics, experimentation and observation to prove the sun-centered theory of Copernicus. These findings led him to a nuisance with the Roman Catholic Church, since they believed that the Earth is the center of the universe. Moreover, he advocated for the use of inductive reasoning in performing the scientific method, which is also iniquitous for the Church. Accordingly, he was placed in house-arrest because of his dispute.


"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same god who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use" - Galileo Galilei

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

Galileo's revolution made a significant impact on the scientific community because of his methods. When he see a problem, he reduces it to simpler terms by means of logic and experience and analyzes them through the use of mathematics. His methods, accompanied by his condemnation, appealed to emerging scientists, such as Isaac Newton and Johannes Kepler.

While Galileo Galilei promoted the separation of Church and Science, a 20th century philosopher, Paul Feyerabend, advocated for the separation of Science and State in his book Against Methods (1975).

"The separation of state and church must be complemented by the separation of state and science, that most recent, most aggressive, and most dogmatic religious institution" - Paul Feyerabend

In his books, he postulated the idea that there can never be a single scientific method that can be used by all scientists. Grounding all scientific study would only limit the progress of science to explain how nature works and, consequently, prevent the growth of knowledge of humans. He proposed that the scientific method should be done with a mixture of all the proposed reasoning and ways so as not hinder the progress of scientific discoveries. Because of this, he has presented a new method: Anything Goes! or Theoretical Anarchism.

Paul Feyerabend (1924-1994)

“There is only one principle that can be defended under all stages of human development. It is the principle: anything goes.” – Paul Feyerabend

Nowadays, with all the new knowledge and even more complexity discovered, it is safe to say that a little of each of the methods proposed should be used in order to maximize the resources and advantages fed to us by past discoveries
.







References:


Blunden, A. (1975). Against method. Retrieved September 21, 2010 from http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/feyerabe.htm

Chew, R. (2008). Galileo galilei. Retrived September 23, 2010 from http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96feb/galileo.html

Jones, R. (n.d.). Philosophy of science. Retrieved September 21, 2010 from http://www.philosopher.org.uk/sci.htm

Liukkonen, P. (2008). Paul Feyerabend. Retrieved September 21, 2010 from http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/feyerab.htm

Microsoft Corporation Inc. (2009). Galileo. Microsoft Encarta [DVD]. Richmond, WA

Newall, P. (2005). Anything Goes: Feyerabend and Method. Galilean library. Retrieved September 25, 2010 from http://www.galilean-library.org/site/index.php?/page/index.html/_/essays/philosophyofscience/anything-goes-feyerabend-and-method-r76

Preston, J. (2009). Paul Feyerabend. Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Retrieved September 21, 2010 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feyerabend/

Shuttleworth, M. (2009). History of The Scientific Method. Experiment resources. Retrieved September 23, 2010 from http://www.experiment-resources.com/history-of-the-scientific-method.html

Stanbrough, J. L. (2005). The inductive (scientific) method. Retrieved Septermber 23, 2010 from http://www.batesville.k12.in.us/physics/phynet/aboutscience/Inductive.html

Tisthammerw. (2006). The nature and philosophy of science. Retrieved September 21, 2010 from http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/tisthammerw/science.html

Amdist the Fortress of the Philippine Saltwater

Victoria - Ferdinand Magellan's Ship 

When we studied history in our lower years, our teachers told us about the discovery of Ferdinand Magellan of the Philippines in the year 1521. Magellan and his men are in an expedition to fins spices that are very valuable during that period. Even though the spices were not in sight, Magellan and his men stayed - we were in captivity of the Spaniards for over 300 years. Historians figured that one of the prime reasons that the Spaniards never left was the richness of the country in natural resources. But these was not discovered until the scientists explored deeper into the islands. 

The Philippines only covers 297,179km2 in the westernmost Pacific Ocean, composed of 7,107 islands. With only a small land portion and vast ocean covering, still, the Philippines is considered the hottest hotspot in the world in terms of biodiversity. This diversity cuts across species, genera, families, orders, classes, phyla and kingdoms. Various species of both flora and fauna only resides and in the islands of the Philippines and no place else. 

Belonging to the organisms claiming a home in the Philippines are Sea Turtles, which is colloquially known as Pawikans. These are reptiles that belong to the super-family of Chelonioidea. The five sea turtles that reside in the Phlippines are Green (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), Loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). These turtles are morphologically different from other turtles since they are not able to retract their legs and head and they have long paddle-like legs. They swim gracefully in the water, travelling as fast as 32 kilometers per hour. Of these five species, the Olive Ridley is the only carnivorous species. 

Green Turtle

Hawksbill

Leatherback

Loggerhead

Olive Ridley

Three decades ago, it was common to see turtle tracks in the morning but since they are slow-moving in land, very graceful in the water, and predators for the plants, they are not considered to be destructive to the environment and the ecosystem. Nonetheless, they are considered to be critically endangered because of human 
destructive forces. 

Marine turtles need decades of maturity to reach the reproductive stage. Neverthless, before the females and the males reach it, they are faced with different endeavors, both in land and in water.


In the wild, it is inevitable that organisms have predators chasing after them. In the case of turtles, sharks and killer whales are among the predators. Clutches of eggs also serve as food for crustaceans. However, much of the decline of their population is brought about by environmental and human factors. 

Turtle Eggs

Among the major contributor of their endangerment is the destruction of their natural habitat. This is especially disturbing for male pawikans, since they spend their entire lives in the water while the females only exit the water to lay eggs in the shore. (Here is a link: http://news.discovery.com/animals/sea-turtle-eggs-meat-delicacy-extinction.html) In addition, the phenomenon of global warming increases their susceptibility to survive: because these organisms are cold-blooded , their body temperatures fluctuate with the environment. 

Turtle caught by a fish net

Human intervention is seen by scientists as the primary culprit in their decline. Adult pawikans are caught in fish nets that may cause immobility and suffocation. Furthermore, dynamite fishing sometimes destroy them. Adult turtles are also susceptible from the slaughtering of man for their meat because turtle meat is served in many countries, such as Japan, China and the Philippines. 


Tourism also has adverse effect on the reproduction of pawikans. Because of the light in the shore, the female pawikans are scared to go up in the land and lay their egg in the sand. And, even if the pawikans have laid their eggs, people harvest it and serves it as a delicacy in some restaurants along the shore. Even if the eggs survive from being eaten by humans, certain predators threaten their survival. 

Fortunately, the Locals and the Government took steps to help preserve these animals. A Pawikan Conservation Center has been established in Morong, Bataan to take care of lost pawikans and assist in their egg-laying. The eggs are gathered and placed in a protected area to prevent predators from eating them, including humans. When the eggs are hatched, hatchlings are released in the shore facilitated by the volunteers. In commemoration of the pawikans, Pawikan Festival is celebrated every year in the month of November at Morong, Bataan to increase awareness of the endangerment of the pawikans.


Regional efforts are also seen by conducting workshop and lectures on the importance and preservation of the marine turtles. Local Government Units also established sanctuaries for the pawikans. 

The Turtle Islands 

National and International collaborations has also been established to promote the preservation of these organisms. In June 1979, an Executive Order has been released creating a task force for pawikan conservation, called E.O. 542: CREATING THE TASK FORCE PAWIKAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR. The Philippines also established the Turtle Islands Heritage Protected Areas in cooperation with the Malaysian Minister. Moreover, the Phillipines is a member of the ASEAN Sea Turtle Conservation and Protection. 


Because of these efforts, many civilians invest their time in the conservation and protection of the pawikan. even the villagers from the beach areas help in the protection.


Here are some links on anectodals and accounts about pawikans in the Philippines
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/145396/84-newly-hatched-pawikan-released-in-Tayabas-Bay
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20100310-257918/Marinduque-seeks-pawikan-habitat
http://www.youscoop.tv/scoop/17452/pawikan
http://news.discovery.com/tech/saving-turtles-with-better-gear.html
http://news.discovery.com/tech/traffic-control-for-turtles.html


References:
Buaron, D. R. A. (2009). Pawikan conservation. Tourism Philippines. retrieved September 16, 2010 from http://tourism-philippines.com/pawikan-conservation/




Conservation International. (2007). Philippines. Biodiversity Hotspots. Retrieved September 16, 2010 from http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/hotspots/philippines/Pages/biodiversity.aspx


Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (n.d.). Pawikan conservation project. Retrieved September 23, 2010 from http://www.pawb.gov.ph/pawikan.html


Ocean Ambassadors. (n.d.). Turtle islands heritage protected areas. Retrieved September 16, 2010 from http://www.oneocean.org/ambassadors/track_a_turtle/tihpa/index.html


Ocean Ambassadors. (n.d.). Turtle threats. Retrieved Spetember 23, 2010 from http://www.oneocean.org/ambassadors/track_a_turtle/hazards/


Sea World Inc. (1994). Sea turtles. Retrieved September 16, 2010 from http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/SeaTurtle/stclass.html


The ChanRobles Group. (1998). Task force pawikan. Chan Robles Virtual Library. Retrieved September 23, 2010 from http://www.chanrobles.com/marcosexecutiveorderno542.htm