Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology

Science and Society

1. Faculty: FLSB
2. Course Code: LSB006
3. Course Title: Science and Society
4. Number of Credits: Two

5. Course objectives:

Science and technology have a major impact on society. The effects of scientific findings on society, the ethical dimensions of research, and the prospect of future scientific developments change the way we live and have an immediate influence on the function and status of science in society. This course will comprise of discussions about the latest scientific breakthroughs and fostering a greater connection between sciences, medicine and technology with society that can help identify and solve society’s challenges.

6. Minimum prerequisites for taking this course, if any: High school-level biology, chemistry or any branch of science.
7. Course structure with units, if applicable: The course is divided in two halves:

A.     Science in Agriculture and its impact on Society

Current Food Practices and Diet in South Asia

• What is considered a Good Diet?
• The Difference Between Natural, Organic, and GMO Foods
• Basic understanding of GMO

Present Agricultural Practices and their Evolution

• Major Crops Grown in South Asia
• The History of Agriculture
  1. Plant Breeding and Domestication
  2. Origin of Crops
  3. The difference between natural wild-type plants and their domesticated agricultural counterparts
  4. The Challenges of Current Agricultural Practices
     • Abiotic Stress
     • Biotic Stress Biotechnology in Agriculture and Its Impact
  5. Biotechnology in Conventional Plant Breeding
     • Marker-Assisted Selection
     • Radiation Breeding
  6. Genetic Engineering of Plants
     • Bt Cotton
     • Golden Rice
  7. Regulation and Biosafety Risks Regarding GMOs
  8. Social Acceptance and Myths Associated with GMOs
  9. Genome Editing/CRISPR in Crop Improvement
  10. Laboratory-Grown Meat Summary and Future Perspectives

B.     Health Challenges in South Asia

1. Science in Society
   • Scientific theory and experimentation
   • The sociology of science
   • Societal changes through science
   • Modern Science
2. Immunization in South Asia
   • Universal Immunization Programs
   • Vaccine misinformation and re-emergence of measles
   • Understanding Pandemics
3. Preventable illnesses in South Asia
   • Infant mortalities and oral rehydration rescue
   • Childhood and maternal undernutrition
   • Hidden hunger challenges, food fortification and the effect on cognition
   • Neglected tropical diseases

4. Health Screening in South Asia
   • Inborn errors of metabolism
   • Newborn screening in South Asia
   • Newborn genomic screening and health privacy concerns
   • Prenatal screening
   • Premarital screening

5. Lifestyle Diseases in South Asia
   • Changing shifts in risk factors and global patterns
   • Hypertension, obesity and diabetes in South Asian populations
   • Substance abuse and social media influence

6. Mental Health in South Asia
   • Depression and suicide in South Asia
   • Traumatic brain injury and comorbidities

Neurodevelopmental disabilities and challenges