Solved by a verified expert:Written Assignment: Biology and Technology in the Real WorldAddresses 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 at http://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, see
http://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.htmb)
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://www2.epa.gov/hydraulicfract
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