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Biology and Technology in the Real World

Instructions

Written Assignment: Biology and Technology
in the Real World
Addresses course outcomes 1-4:

recognize and explain how the scientific
method is used to solve problems

make observations and discriminate between
scientific and pseudoscientific explanations

weigh evidence and make decisions based on
strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method

use knowledge of biological principles, the
scientific method, and appropriate technologies to ask relevant questions,
develop hypotheses, design and conduct experiments, interpret results, and
draw conclusions
1. Select one of the topics listed below.
2. Find at least two information sources
related to the topic. You can find assistance with searching for articles at
the UMUC Library Subject Guides athttp://libguides.umuc.edu/science.
3. Write a 750-1500 word paper, excluding
references and title page. You must read the information sources that you
find and summarize the information in your own words, addressing each of the
questions and expectations for your chosen topic. Extensive quotes from the
article are discouraged. Use APA style for citing references, seehttp://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.html.
4. Post your assignment to your Assignments
folder by the due date listed in the course schedule.
Topics (select one)
a) Genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
What is the purpose genetic engineering of crop plants and domestic animals?
Briefly explain how GMOs are created. What foods in your supermarket contain
GMOs? Are foods that contain GMOs safe for human consumption? What types of
regulations exist for these foods? Clearly explain your reasoning for each
answer. The following website from FDA regarding GMO regulation may be
helpful:http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm352067.htm
b) Stem cells. Your friend had a
spinal cord injury after a bad car accident. The medical team has decided
that he is a good candidate for a clinical trial using stem cell therapy.
Your friend has not had a biology course since high school, so you decide to
write him a letter sharing your knowledge of stem cells. Include in your
letter a description of the biology of stem cells and how these cells are
unique from other cells. Contrast the different types of stem cells,
including pros and cons of each. Explain how stems cells are can be used to
treat diseases and injury, with special focus on spinal cord injuries.
Conclude with your own opinion. The following website from NIH regarding stem
cell research will be very helpful:http://stemcells.nih.gov/index.asp.
c) Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) and
tar sands (oil sands). With society’s
dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels, the oil & gas industry is
turning to the use of hydraulic fracturing and tar (oil) sands
to extract natural gas and oil respectively. A friend asks
you “What’s all this controversy in the news about fracking and tar
sands?” Briefly explain to your friend how hydraulic
fracturing and tar (oil) sands are used to obtain these fossil fuels.
Then, in more detail, describe the environmental problems that may result
from these processes and why they are controversial. Issues that may be
addressed involves, but are not limited to, water, air and soil pollution,
effects on human health, effects on other species and natural ecosystems.
Finally, give your opinions on possible solutions to these environmental
problems, with your reasoning backed by the references that you
studied. The following websites from EPA may be helpful:http