GEN1000 Perspectives on General Education
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This module is designed to acquaint students with selected scientific and technological advances that have elevated the standard of living. Topics such as recombinant DNA technology and its applications, biotechnology and genetically modified food, Western and Chinese medicinal advances, discovery of radiation effects and stem cell research, and the untoward side effects thereof are covered in the module. Students are strongly encouraged to read up-to-dated science magazines to enhance their knowledge of science.
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
a. identify how our lives have been changed by modern scientific breakthrough and technological advances, with the basic concepts explained in layman terms
b. examine the development of contemporary issues on science and technology
c. recognise their responsibilities in protecting themselves and others against noxious/hazardous substances and contribute to a better environment and the welfare of mankind
d. evaluate the risks related to the exposure to drugs, environmental factors and/or products of technology and industry that may be hazardous to health
1 Introduction to science and scientific methods
2 Benefits and harms of technological advancement on modern lives
3 Recombinant DNA technology and applications:
3.1 Gene cloning
3.2 Synthesis of insulin
3.3 DNA fingerprinting for forensic and alleged parenthood investigations
3.4 Authentication of precious Chinese medicinal materials
4. Biotechnology and genetically modified food
5 Stem cells and applications
6. Western medicine and complementary and alternative medicine including Chinese medicine and chiropractic medicine
7. Different types of radiation(ionizing and nonionizing): effects on health and applications in
medicine and research
8. Functions of the brain. Drugs of abuse e.g. heroin, ketamine and health consequences
9. How stress affects mental health and our wellbeing
10. Air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and consequences – a clean environment is conducive to good health.
1. Class participation and discussion (10%)
2. Group presentation (20%)
3. In-class quizzes (20%)
4. Individual final paper (50%)
1. Cooper, C. L. (ed.). (1996). Handbook of stress, medicine, and health. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
2. Ellis, K. V. (1989). Surface water pollution and its control. Basingstoke: Macmillan.
3. Kahn, J. & Yardley, J. (2007). China Roars, Pollution Reaches Deadly Extremes. The New York Times.
4. Nottingham, S. (1998). Eat your genes: how genetically modified food is entering our diet. New York: Zed Books Ltd.
5. NRC. (2004). Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. Washington D.C.: National Academies Press.
6. Potten, C. S. (ed.). (1997). Stem cells. London: Academic Press.
7. Stryer, L. (1995). Biochemistry (4th ed.). New York: Freeman.
8. Winslow, R. (2009). First Embryonic Stem-Cell Trial Gets Approval from the FDA. The Wall Street Journal. 23 January 2009.
