LEARNING GUIDE
Week No.: __7_
TOPIC/S : When Technology and Humanity Cross
EXPECTED COMPETENCIES
At the end of this topic, you must have:
1. evaluated contemporary human experience to strengthen the human person functioning in
society;
2. discussed the importance of human rights in the face of changing social conditions and
technological development; and
3. identified laws or policies in the country that protect the well-being of the person in
technological advancement and ethical dilemmas.
CONTENT/TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Read and Analyze the case study below.
Case Study 1
Somebody very close to you, like a parent or a sibling, is a victim of a massive stroke. The
doctors say that he/she is ‘brain dead,’ and therefore, he/she is only alive because of life
support machines; and only a miracle can make him recover.
The doctors are making you decide whether to keep the life support going or to turn it off.
What would be your decision and why?
Case Study 2
You are three- month pregnant (if you are female); or your wife is three- month pregnant
(if you are male). Because of great advances in technology, your institution has granted you
free access to amniocentesis and genetic testing for your unborn child; to test for genetic
disorders and to avail of genetic counselling. Your test results show that your unborn child
has a severe genetic disorder, osteogenesis imperfecta II or III, or what you call “brittle bone
disease”, wherein, very minimal pressure and exertion can result to multiple bone fractures. If
Type II, bone malformities are extremely severe, which may lead to early prenatal death. If
Type III, other complications are stunted growth, possible mental retardation if the fracture
occurs in the skull, progressive bone malformities. However, during gestation, it cannot be
confirmed whether the disorder is Type II or Type III.
The genetic counselling team has given you an option for termination of pregnancy.
Will you terminate the pregnancy? Justify your answer.
This module is a property of Technological University of the Philippines Visayas intended for
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and is NOT FOR SALE NOR FOR REPRODUCTION.
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death. If Type III, other complications are stunted growth, possible mental retardation if the
fracture occurs in the skull, progressive bone malformities. However, during gestation, it
cannot be confirmed whether the disorder is Type II or Type III.
The genetic counselling team has given you an option for termination of pregnancy. Will
you terminate the pregnancy? Justify your answer.
BASIC PRNCIPLES OF BIOETHICS
1. The good life entails living in a just and progressive society whose citizens have
the freedom to flourish.
2. The united nations general assembly proclaimed the universal declaration of human
rights (UDHR) as the global standard of fundamental human rights for universal
recognition & protection.
3. Human dignity is an ultimate core value of our existence.
4. Human beings become freer when empowered to make choices for flourishing.
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (UDHR)
The first 7 (out of 30) articles encapsulate the spirit of this so-called ‘milestone
document in the history of human rights’
Article I All human beings are born free & equal in dignity and rights. They are
endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of
brotherhood.
Article II Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedom set forth in this declaration,
without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or
other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no
distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional, or
This module is a property of Technological University of the Philippines Visayas intended for
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and is NOT FOR SALE NOR FOR REPRODUCTION.
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international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be
independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article III Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Article IV
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be
prohibited in all their forms.
Article V No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading
treatment or punishment.
Article VI Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person
before the law.
Article VII All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to
equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any
discrimination in violation of the declaration and against any incitement to such
discrimination.
The ‘milestone document in the history of human rights’
The UDHR has a long bloody history. Crafted in 1948, after WWII, the UDHR now
serves as a common understanding of what each person’s fundamental rights are. These rights
apply to everyone everywhere. It is imperative that we all know and live these rights to
prevent injustice and oppression.
This module is a property of Technological University of the Philippines Visayas intended
for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and is NOT FOR SALE NOR FOR REPRODUCTION.
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PROGRESS CHECK
After reading your notes, go back to the case study and write your stand on the space
provided after each case.
WORKSHEET: (you can use this portion as your scratch paper.)
This module is a property of Technological University of the Philippines Visayas intended for
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and is NOT FOR SALE NOR FOR REPRODUCTION.
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REFERENCES
Concepcion, G. e. (2012). Science Philippines : Essay on Science by Filipinos (Vols. 1-3).
University of the Philippines Press.
Lee-Chua, Q. (2000). Ten Outstanding Filipino Scientists. Anvil Publishing.
McNamara, D. J. (2018). Science, Technology and Society. C & E Publishing, Inc.
Padilla-Concepcion, G. (2015). Science Philippines : Essays on Science by Filipinos Volume III.
University of the Philippines Press.
Ryan, M. C. (2010). Ethics and Human Dignity. Rex Book Store.
Serafica Janice Patria J. : Pawilen, G. T., & Caslib Jr., B. N. (2018). Science, Technology and
Society. : Rex Book Store.
https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/darwinian-revolution.html
This module is a property of Technological University of the Philippines Visayas intended for
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY and is NOT FOR SALE NOR FOR REPRODUCTION.
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