Achievement Standard 91602
Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue
1
Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed
response involves:
·
presenting a personal
position, developed using relevant biological knowledge
·
proposing action(s) at
a personal and/or societal level.
Integrate biological
knowledge to develop a reasoned informed response involves:
·
explaining why the position
and the action(s) have been chosen.
Integrate biological knowledge to develop a comprehensive
informed response involves:
·
justifying the
personal position and proposed action(s) by analysing and evaluating the
biological knowledge related to the issue.
This may include:
-
comparing the
significance of implications
-
considering the likely
effectiveness of the proposed action(s)
-
commenting on sources
and information, considering ideas such as
i
validity – currency,
peer review status, scientific acceptance
ii
bias – attitudes,
values, beliefs.
2
Integrate refers to
selecting and collating relevant biological knowledge to develop an informed
response.
3
A socio-scientific issue has
both biological and social implications.
The issue is one for which people hold different opinions or viewpoints.
Social implications may be economic,
ethical, cultural, or environmental.
4
Biological knowledge includes:
·
biological concepts
and processes relating to the issue
·
biological and social
implications of the issue
·
differing opinions or
viewpoints about the issue.
Introduction
Since the appearance of our first human ancestors on the world stage, we have been challenged to adapt to live successfully within the natural environment. Through slow advances, from stone tool manufacture and harnessing fire to the development of advanced agriculture and modern technologies, we have managed to alter our landscape in ways which now allow us to create never before seen environments and manipulate the species with which we share our lives.
Through selective breeding, genetic manipulation and a greater understanding our own biochemistry, and responded using this knowledge to create new and enriched food sources and modern medicines which have greatly improved the survival rate for children and extended the life expectancy of adults. In parts of the world, vaccines and immunisation programmes have even eliminated some diseases entirely.
These are just a few of the factors which have led to an explosion in the human population to its present level of over 7 billion.
While science can be looked to as a means to improve our quality of life and find solutions to general human problems, in an increasing complex world, there are very few one size fits all answers. Examining the diversity of cultures, values, political views and beliefs held by people across the globe, and taking into consideration the different levels of education, wealth and access to resources, it becomes clear that using science to respond to present day issues requires careful thought and consideration.
This page is dedicated to exploring the socio-scientific issue of obesity and diabetes in New Zealand. Building on your understanding the biology of blood glucose homeostasis, this exploration will look at different scientific theories related to the causes, risk factors, and prevention strategies related to type 2 diabetes. Examining biological, social, economic and environmental factors influencing the development of obesity and diabetes, your task will be to develop an informed response aimed at reducing the rate of type 2 diabetes in New Zealand.
You are invited to examine the possibilities and limitations of our biology and the potential impact we are having on one another as a result of our lifestyle choices and the manipulation of our world. You will need to evaluate the validity and reliability of scientific theories and consider the likely effectiveness of different approaches to addressing the climbing rate of type 2 diabetes. Most importantly, this page will challenge you to explore how humankind can use our greatest trait, our intelligence, to understand the effects of the mismatch so that we may assist our generation and future generations successfully navigate the uncertain road ahead.
Diabetes in Aotearoa
The following link will direct you to a video speaking about the Diabetes epidemic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmtIeRolUMoAnswer the following questions:
1. What was the source of this video and in what year did the interview take place? Why is this important to consider?
2. It is important to find NZ sources of information when researching health conditions? Why or why not? How could international sources be useful?
3. Who is the most affected by diabetes? Why is this of concern to New Zealanders?
4. Name 3 consequences of diabetes.
5. The video suggested that the problem has been known since the 1990s but little has been done, and diabetes rates continue to increase. Brainstorm as many factors as you can think of to explore why this may be the case.
Disarming New Zealand's Lifestyle Illness Timebomb
"The average Kiwi was estimated to weigh 81.3kg last year, lighter only than the average American, who weighed 82.7kg."
(http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10885815)
According to our own Ministry of Health, "there has been a rise in obesity in New Zealand adults in recent decades - from 9% (males) and 11% (females) in 1977 to 27.7% and 27.8% respectively in 2008/09."
(http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/obesity)
Over 50% of NZ adults are estimated to be obese!
In New Zealand the rate of obesity varies across ethnic/cultural groups. The percentage of adults in NZ considered to be obese each of the four major groups are as follows:
Pacific 62%, Maori 44%, European 26%, Asian 16%
Why is it that different groups experience different rates of obesity in NZ?
According to Diabetes New Zealand, "over 208 000 New Zealanders have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. And every day 50 more people are diagnosed with diabetes. It is an epidemic."
The socio-scientific nature of chronic adult health issues such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is multi-faceted. Risk factors include: genetics, socio-economic status, level of education, activity, mental health, environment and diet... just to name a few.
You are invited to explore the biology, risk factors, prevention strategies and treatments/interventions currently being explored so that you may join the debate and develop your own personal response to the lifestyle illness timebomb in New Zealand.
Biology
In order to engage in the debate around what we can do to improve the outlook for the lifelong health of New Zealanders, we must first aim to understand the biology of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Below is a list of bullet points and possible resources to explore:- homeostatic mechanism for blood glucose regulation
- insulin resistance
- diet and exercise physiology
But with all the exercise and dietary advice that is available, how do we sift through what is scientifically valid, and what is pseudoscientific marketing?
Click on the link to see what Valerie Adams is doing in the most recent campaign sponsored by the NZ Health Promotion Agency and the Ministry of Health (2016)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/national/health/85818599/32-per-cent-of-Kiwi-children-and-teens-will-be-overweight-or-obese-by-2025
Questions after watching the video:
1. What is the key message in this video?
2. What is the value of using people like Valerie Adams to convey this message?
3. How effective do you think this message will be in creating real change?
Click on the link to see what Valerie Adams is doing in the most recent campaign sponsored by the NZ Health Promotion Agency and the Ministry of Health (2016)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/national/health/85818599/32-per-cent-of-Kiwi-children-and-teens-will-be-overweight-or-obese-by-2025
Questions after watching the video:
1. What is the key message in this video?
2. What is the value of using people like Valerie Adams to convey this message?
3. How effective do you think this message will be in creating real change?
Recent Scientific Investigation
1) The Predictive Adaptive Response Theory (Mismatch)
2) High fat/low carbohydrate diet
Genes, Culture and Evolution
Have you ever heard someone complain that their friends can be lazy and eat fast food all the time and remain "fit" while they just smell fresh baked biscuits and they gain weight? Why is it that we are so different in this way? Is it in our genes or is there something more?Contrary to the success of our species in populating every corner of the globe, new challenges, illnesses and diseases which previously did not exist in the human population have appeared. World renowned scientists, Sir Peter Gluckman and Mark Hanson, report evidence showing that the dramatic changes in our diet, food intake and energy expenditure have led to an increase in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular (heart) disease. In their book, Mismatch(2006), Gluckman and Hanson explore ideas related to what happens when we are born into a world that is different to the one our bodies have prepared for us to be born into.
Gluckman, P., & Hanson, M. (2006). Mismatch: The lifestyle diseases timebomb. New York: Oxford University Press.
High Fat Low Carbohydrate diet
The documentary below showcases how a native Canadian community confronted obesity and type 2 diabetes in their community by reflecting upon how changing from a traditional way of life to modern living may have influenced the health of their community.
Tackling misunderstandings about dieting, the Namgis First Nation of Alert Bay in British Columbia document a year long intervention to engage the whole community.
Can a traditional high fat diet actually be the answer to preventing and treating obesity and type 2 diabetes?
How could this story told by the native people of Canada be used to tackle some of the culturally specific aspects of Obesity and Diabetes in NZ?
Another example of a community approach can be seen in "That Sugar Film" Check out from 33 minutes to 41 minutes.
Stakeholders
Individuals, corporations community groups and governments are responding to the increased rate of lifestyle-related illness.
Many are looking to science in order to better understand the complex nature of these issues and to justify the approach that they see best suited to balance the social, economic and environmental needs and desires they consider most important.
Here is an interesting video which outlines a corporate response to the issue by the coca-cola company. Identify how they have used science to influence their suggested responses to the growing obesity epidemic in America.
How effective do you expect their responses to be?
Fonterra/Sanitarium
“Kickstart Breakfast”
Stuff.co.nz
– “Is free breakfast in schools working? KATE CHAPMAN AND JO MOIR
Other possible interventions to be researched include:
1) Food labeling
a) Health Star Labeling
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety/food-safety-for-consumers/understanding-food-labels/health-star-ratings/how-health-star-ratings-work/
b) Traffic light labeling (“Fight the Obesity Epidemic NZ”) http://foe.org.nz/issues/food-labelling/
a) Health Star Labeling
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety/food-safety-for-consumers/understanding-food-labels/health-star-ratings/how-health-star-ratings-work/
b) Traffic light labeling (“Fight the Obesity Epidemic NZ”) http://foe.org.nz/issues/food-labelling/
2) Alternative
pricing and taxation on “healthy” options such as fruit and vegetables (NZ Herald, 17 Feb 2013)
https://nutritionfoundation.org.nz/our-programmes
POVERTY AND DIABETES RISK
Have a look at this article to see if it might help you in finishing your research and supporting your strategies to reduce Type 2 Diabetes in Aotearoa. Why is this a valid source with reliable information?
http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/60/11/2667
TAKING ACTION
Here are some ideas of actions being taken to combat the obesity and diabetes epidemic.
SCHOOL MEALS IN JAPAN
Would something like Japan's school lunch program work for us? Why or why not?
https://www.facebook.com/madamecaya/posts/10155229556460894
The extended video is here.
https://youtu.be/hL5mKE4e4uU
Turangawaewae's effort to change tradition
Check out the latest efforts of one marae aiming to tackle the lifestyle illness timebomb in their community.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/103600954/scrambled-tofu-burritos-and-eggplant-roti-nzs-largest-marae-is-going-vegan