Team:NYMU-Taipei/HP/Silver
Human Practice
Human Practice
Abstract
This year, we visited and interviewed several stakeholders including fruit growers, companies, high school teacher, college professor, and interest group, from whom we received profound and valuable feedback, triggering the ideas of establishing a pest forecasting website and conducting a more in depth research into social study.
We also went out to the iGEM community, celebrated our time with other iGEM teams in Taiwan. We held a meetup in NYMU on 8/6 and had a great time. We also conducted survey in knowing if world café would be a good way to help teams interact at the Jamboree.
Last but not least, we went to I-lan senior high school visiting a biology teacher who immersed himself in flipped-classroom. We also shared basic concept of synthetic biology and presented several issue to high school students.
You will definitely love our human practice.
Fruit grower I
Date:07/20/16
Respondents: Mr. Chung, Mr. Cheng
Place: Chiayi, Taiwan
Abstract:
Two fruit growers used different eco-friendly techniques to deal with pests. We also found out how they get along well with the environment and its residents.
Content:
Mr. Chung, the mango farmer
We usually use pesticide, but we will stop using it before harvest. Every pesticide has its own safety period and limit. Thus, fruit maturation would not be affected by pesticide. Most things shares the philosophy of relativity including farming. If we protect our land, our land will be a better place with more fruitful harvest and clean water.
The biological control often appears in the organic farming. However, it is not easy to realize the organic farming. The timing of using these biological control agents is before harvest. In addition, we also protect our growing with bagging.
We use integrated protection rather than chemical pesticide to kill the pest. The growth of fruits in a sustainable way is a better choice for ourselves and the land.
Mr. Cheng, the melon and tomato famer
The organic agriculture is different from the sustainable agriculture. We can use chemical pesticide properly. For example, we need to see a doctor when we are ill. The other main reason we should not develop organic agriculture is because the 'Return On Investment' is low. We need to put more resources and money into organic agriculture.
We build a greenhouse to protect fruits from pests. Thus, we hardly use pesticide. Another advantage of growing fruit in greenhouse is that it’s rain-proof, so we do not have to worry about any loss after heavy rain. Even though the cost is much higher than that of other farmers’, the overall profit is still higher. In fact, the council of agriculture supports farmer with funds.
Fruit grower II
Date: 07/22/16
Respondents: Mr. XU,QI-SHENG from 萃。檸檬
Place: Pingtung, Taiwan
Abstract:
We interviewed with a lemon grower, who grows his plants in a sustainable and toxin free way. He makes good use of some easy and efficient gadgets and techniques to manage his land, which we shall share with other farmer for reference. Let’s take a close look how he achieves in this method.
Content:
The so called “toxin free agriculture” or “sustainable agriculture” does not mean a complete prohibition to the use of chemical pesticide. The biological pesticide is not efficient as chemical pesticide, thus, we use these chemicals in a proper way. There are several benefits from toxin free agriculture. First of all, we fruit growers can keep ourselves healthy and so can the planet. Secondly, the crops do not contain chemical pesticide. The consumers are more likely to choose these healthy products, which then will increase our income. Since we know how to use the pesticide correctly, we can reduce a great among of cost, which also benefits us a lot.
We make fertilizer by ourselves instead of chemical fertilizer. We mix the used or wasted soybeans, shrimp shell, and other kitchen waste for fermentation. Then, the fertilizer will spread precisely to the field through the pipe. This is a simple and helpful design that can save a lot of our money and time.
To conclude, our main goal is not to stop using the chemical pesticide or fertilizer but to figure out some alternative ways of growing healthy plants. Furthermore, just by using some smart tools, farmers can easily manage their land, which makes the balance between environment and farmers.
End-User Interview 3
Date: 08/03/16
Respondents: 謝謝農場
Place: Nantou, Taiwan
Abstract:
We went Nantou to interview with local farm. Since Nantou is on the mountain side, it would be a lot of thing different than plain.
1. What made you decide to run a farm?
A: This is our childhood dream. However, my dad, a school principal himself, doesn’t allow us to run farms at that time. 9 years ago, we were finally able to realize our dream.For we finally got our own time-
2. What’s the reason for organic farming?
A: I used to be a captain in a camp before I became a farmer. Since I had no experience working on earth, I wasn’t familiar with chemicals, so I learned to grow crops in the most natural way. During this process, I gradually got a sense that Nature is a gift that God has given us. As his creation, we are given the authority to regulate the world, So we need to treat other creatures equally with the same love that God shows us, instead of using pesticides that may damage the environment. Furthermore, we are actually the real victims of pesticides, for we consume all the products we grow. Why should we harm ourselves?
What are the concerns about organic farming?
A:The most pressing issue is how to deal with pests. Now we are using the most traditional method: pepper spray and handpicking. Sex hormone is a more effective method that’s also in use, but still cannot be compared to pesticides. In addition, if our farm is the only area that doesn’t use chemical pesticides, all the pests will come to our land. Of course we would like everyone to adopt this new way of farming.
M. anisopliae Expert I
Date: 07/21/16
Respondent: MIN-NAN Tseng
Place: Kaohsiung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station, COA, EY
Abstract:
We went to Kaohsiung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station to interview Min-Nan Tseng, an expert of Metarhizium anisopliae, and discussed the biosafety issue regarding Metarhizium anisopliae. Moreover, we also talked about the interaction between researchers and farmers, specifically, why, what, and how they help farmers to enhance the farmer’s knowledge and technology on agriculture.
Content:
The wild type Metargizium anisopliae would not harm the environment. However, would it to harm to the environment in the farmland? This problem is tricky since agriculture is artificial and does not belong to the nature. We might have concerns about eliminating the non-targeted bugs, but we can guarantee that it’s much safer then chemical pesticide. As long as we use Metarrihizium anisopliae in the right place and time, it would be really effective in dealing with the pest problems.
We had done many researches on the genetically-modified Metarhizium anisopliae to ensure the biosafety through the following protections. First, we needed to ensure that Metarhizium anisopliae would not become a pathogen against human beings, so we selected the fungus that could only survive below 37℃(98.6F). Second, we allowed the experiment conducted in the lab only, and it was well conserved in fear of gene transfer to the wild.
Nowadays, consumers and farmers pay close attention on the issue of food safety and environment. It’s the best time to promote pollution-free and eco-friendly agricultural methods. Our job is to educate farmers on implementing pesticide and fertilizer correctly. Thus, we chose to use Metarrihizium anisopliae because it is not made out of chemistry; it would not harm the land or human. Another thing we did is to hold a series of events on social education. It’s the so called “Food and Agriculture Education”(食農教育). The ultimate goal is to teach kids and adults the right way to choose good food and build up relationship towards land. Because we only have one earth, we should leave a healthy planet to our next generation.
All in all, Metarrihizium anisopliea could play a vital role in toxin free, sustainable, and eco-friendly agriculture in the future. Moreover, we can let if possible many people to know what importance of having a sustainable agriculture is and how we can do it.
M. anisopliae Experts II
Date: 07/22/16
Respondent: Xian-Da Liu
Place: Meiho University, Pingtung, Taiwan
Abstract:
Metarihizium anisopliae does not have much safety concerns. However, we still need to pay extra attention when we use it. Furthermore, the professor believes that education should be taken seriously. Students are encouraged to “do it themselves” in order to know what the end-user is thinking and what the problems they are facing. Liu also mentioned that everyone on this land can do something to support the sustainable and toxin-free agriculture.
Content:
We have done integrated researches on Metarihizium anisopliae, so we can ensure that it is safe for human. Moreover, M. anisopliae has already passed the Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) and is available now on the market. Nevertheless, M. anisopliae is virulent to Hemiptera such as cicada, silkworm and so on. We should be careful when using M. anisopliae near the silk industry because silkworm will be easily infected.
I encourage my students to “do it themselves” during college. In an agriculture technology college, we cannot just lock ourselves up in labs and lose connection to our society. After connecting to the industry chain, students could understand more about what they are studying. The purpose of education is to bridge the gap between academic and practice. Thus, we should not lose the connection to society.
Last but not least, “Life”,”Environment”, and “Production” will form a golden triangle in agricultural industry. In the past, the only thing that farmers care about was how to make the best profit. Thus, the chemical pesticide and fertilizer was overused and done many damages to our land. Most of the time, we only care about “Production”, so the golden triangle is not balanced. However, people’s attitudes are changing. Not only farmers but consumers started to choose the less damaging way of growing. It is a great thing to see the progress. We can support farmers to make changes in several ways such as technical support, financial subsidy, or just simply, buy their products. Since the sustainable agriculture becomes a trend around the world, we can also help our farmer in Taiwan with this practice!
Interest group I
Time: 07/12/16
Respondent: 台灣農村陣線 (Taiwan Rural Front) 秘書處 蕭喬薇
Q&A:
1. It seems that the government and the agricultural sector in Taiwan generally have a rather contentious relationship. What may be the cause of that?
A: The agricultural occupation generally isn’t perceived as an industry. In addition, in this small yet densely populated region, the government has the ability to purchase and acquire farmland through legal means for non-agricultural purposes. Asides from farmers, the intermediaries in the market also play a crucial role in influencing the relationship. Since the Taiwanese government does not implement adequate legal measures to guarantee the rights the agricultural industry, it creates a fragmented relationship.
2. What contributions has Taiwan Rural Front made to advocate for land rights and changes to the current agricultural measures? We would like to hear your stories.
A: In 2008, the government issued a reform plan to transform the agricultural industry into one for tourism purposes, although the decision brings little to no benefits to the farmers. For instance, Taipei residents often choose to purchase cheaper land in Yilan to build elite housings or mansions. However, the tall buildings often block out the sunlight, and contaminated water are also not adequately regulated, thereby bringing detrimental consequences to people’s lives and the agricultural industry’s once persistent culture of purity and simplicity. As a result, the rural countryside essentially became a tourist site of little significance behind the urban city. Some people feel that there must be changes to these measures; we believe that those who hold the same belief should voice out their opinion together.
When we began to hear the thoughts and hopes of those who are directly involved in the agricultural industry, we decided to create the organization “Taiwan Rural Front”. Through social media and the internet, we bring these issues to light and attract supporters who are involved in different areas of occupations and industries. In addition, we have published some relevant works and communicated with international organizations; we hope that we can make a difference via politics and effective public relations.
3. In the early ages, we didn’t use chemical fertilizers or pesticides in crop production. Then, there was an evident trend towards an increased use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. However, recently there are more and more farmers shifting their approach towards organic farming. What accounts for these trends and changes in agricultural methods?
A: In the past, farmers faced relatively less food scarcity issues, plus the technology back in the days was not advanced enough to invent chemical fertilizers and pesticides. After World War II, food shortage becomes a common issue, hence it becomes a goal for every country’s researchers to find alternatives to mass-produce crops. The United States, the European countries and Japan all have their own methods to deal with food shortage. During the Green Revolution in the 1960s, government from different countries encouraged farmers to use pesticides and synthetic fertilizer to improve agricultural output. However, with that comes many downsides. In Taiwan, such measures have not only brought harm to the quality of soil, it also increased farmers’ reliance on industrial products, and subsequently they lose their agency and become trapped in a cycle of debts.
Recently, more people have returned back to the traditional farming methods, taking soil quality and well-being of the consumers into account. Although the agricultural output is incomparable to that of the mass production, yet it raises the quality of living, and attracts young people to be willing to return back to the agricultural industry. As such, the relationship between land and mankind are gradually improving.
4. What are your thoughts on genetically modified crops?
A: The agricultural industry, the consumers and the environment are the three essential areas that Taiwan Rural Front focus on.
How has genetic modification impact the agricultural industry? Genetic modification has a huge implication for the Third World countries. The Monsanto company uses inexpensive and efficient plantation methods to solve food scarcity issues in these countries, and encourage the farmers to use their products. Nonetheless, despite the promising sign of good agricultural output at the start, once the soil fertility worsens, the crop yield decreases significantly. As a result, farmers have to use an even stronger fertilizer; this creates a viscous cycle. How is this different than the agricultural methods used long ago? in the early days, farmers save the left-over seeds and trade the seeds with the other farmers, thereby saving cost. Using the seeds from Monsanto, the cost of cultivating crops not only increases, the diversity and options also become limited. These seeds have no patent, so one cannot use them without approval; this limits the farmers’ agency to manage their own farmland. Hence, in our views on genetic modification, we are concerned with threats posed by monopolistic corporations on the rights and will of the farmers.
5. As students, what can we do to contribute to the agricultural developments in Taiwan?
A: To solve an issue, one must first have a good understanding of that area. We hope that teenagers can visit the countryside more frequently and have a more thorough understanding of the farm life. As well, by promoting and advocating our cause, we hope to spread awareness about the importance of our connection to the land. We notice that parents in Taiwan commonly do not wish to have their kids stay in the countryside, most likely as a result of the lack of resources and opportunities when compared to the cities. Moreover, those of the younger generation who move from rural to urban area often lose connection with their home on the countryside. Hence, we will be planning activities and inviting teenagers to talk to the farmers about their work experiences and interesting lifestyle. Perhaps it will successfully convince some to return to the countryside; yet, the agricultural industry doesn’t only involve the famers, it requires the cooperation of people from different fields and studies. Not everyone will decide to return to the agricultural industry, but it is important for all of us, regardless of the field of study we pursue in, to appreciate and be grateful of our homeland.
8/6 Meetup in NYMU
Yang-Ming’s first time holding interschool meetup!
8/6 cannot be forgotten by every Yang-Ming student in iGEM. Having participating in iGEM for ten years in a row, this is our first time hosting 6 school for a interschool meetup. See How can we help teams interact with other teams at the Jamboree? World Café can be helpful
2 weeks before the meetup, CGU(Chang Gung University), NCTU(National Chiao Tung University), NTHU(National Tsing Hua University), NCCU(National Chung Cheng University) and us decided to have a meetup, and since we were familiar with TAS and we were going to be a meeting with TU(Tongji University), we proposed the bold idea of holding this meetup in NYMU. Thankfully, they accepted it and we got to prepare for all this.
We had presentation time in the morning, and hold the world café in the afternoon. Every team got all prepared, they were all engaged that keeping asking for suggestion during the break time. Since everyone understood that the objective of this meetup was ‘connection’, they were willing to break the ice and talk to strangers, who were then a new friend. This was such encouraging and inspiring for one first holding meetup.
In the lunch time, friends from different team move the tables and sat together. In the afternoon, we host a world café, the outcome is very fruitful.
How can we help teams interact with other teams at the Jamboree?
World Café can be helpful
At 7/26, I received email from Rosa, iGEM HQ. She told me that iGEM HQ was in the process of compiling all the ideas from around the world to help increase interaction in Jamboree. And I was glad that my proposed World Café is appreciated. In the document I am going to share with you the World Café we have in Taiwan, NYMU.
We held a Meetup welcoming 6 schools in Eastern Asia at 8/6, where we would like all the participants to communicate and share their ideas. That time, I thought of the World Café which can be helpful in enhancing the interaction between people who are unfamiliar with each other.
Thus, I put World Café into our meetup. In 8/6 afternoon, it was astonishing that all the participants were engaging in their talks and could not stop sharing their ideas in common. The atmosphere was far from icy. Every team was so creative that a team even came up with the idea of making an airplane with poster.
Before the Meetup, thankfully, I designed a survey for all the participants to better the Meetup (It is NYMU’s first time holding Meetup) and for feedback of World Café since I thought the result can be helpful for iGEM HQ and all iGEMers wanting to hold a conference or meetup aiming at increasing interaction. Below are the result of 31 responses from the participants. The survey was originally in Chinese, my team member Tom Liu and I translated the question and choices into English.
First, we would like to know if participants had ever joined in World Café. If most of the participants had experienced over it, then they’ll be skillful and know how to play. The outcome shows that most of the participants don’t have related experience of World Café, which turns out that the survey can provide helpful information for iGEM community, most of which, as far as I am concerned, don’t have related experience over World Café either.
We had several topics ranging synthetic biology, education, entrepreneurship, disciplinary learning, bio-medicine and big data. We did another survey right before the meetup to collect participants’ interests so as to design appropriate topics. The result turned out that most of the participants are interdisciplinary learners, enjoy independent music, interested in entrepreneurship…. We did a graph by software Tableau to show the outcome of the survey in the morning of the meetup.
We have 4 round in World Café. There are 12 tables with different questions. The following chart shows that most of the participants are satisfied with the topics.
Since there can be questions that participants had never engaged in, we wonder whether those topics peak their interests during World Cafe. The result shows that most of them are quite satisfactory.
Each round of World Café started with introduction. The introduction parts are supposed to break the ice, aiding shy people to tell their stories. We can infer from the chart that introduction is helpful for topic discussion, and it successfully encourages people to engage in further talks in break time.
We also wonder whether participants felt comfortable in discussion, the following chart shows that most of them shared pleasant time in topic discussion.
We also wonder what leads to harmonious talks. Self-introduction, interests in subject, friends, members with leadership and knowing the objective of World Café are factors that leads to intriguing talks.
On the other hand, knowing what leads to inharmonious talks is important, too. Unfamiliar members and interests are the main cause. It is important for the iGEM community to break the ice, arrange introduction prior to discussion or group people in a way so that there are friends in the same group can be essential to a harmonious topic discussion.
New things, innovative ideas, stepping into unfamiliar field are what we can give to all iGEMers.
The last 3 questions are designed to know what do they think of World Café.
First, we want to know that are they willing to participate in another World Café activity after this experience? 70% of the participants are positive to this question.
The below chart definitely encourages me. They thought it is deserve it
It may be the most important result in this document. 77% of participants would suggest iGEM to apply World Café as a way to promoter interaction and talks. Well, it is worth noted that 1 person did not think so, we would add an extra question for this part next time.
The outcome of this survey is fruitful. It showed us that World Café is helpful for topic discussion, catalyze more talks, which is what the NYMU iGEM meetup, as well as iGEM HQ and iGEM community, want to achieve. If World Café can work good on people with different interests, can it help facilitate people of all works? Can World Café help knowledge and information transfer between scientist and general public, to better both understanding of each other? These are the question that can be answered and I do believe the answer to be positive.
Acknowledgements
University Agronomy Education
Time:2016/07/12
Responder: Department of Agronomy, NTU, Prof. Lin, Y.-R.
Place: National Taiwan Univeristy
Abstract:
We met Prof. Lin, Y.-R. to discuss about the interaction between science and agricultural workers. Prof. Lin mentioned that a researcher has responsibility to spray knowledge to society in a simple and clear way and help they to do the right decision. She focused on helping farmers to grow food in a more efficient and safer way for over a decade. We learned a great attitude of being a scientist from Prof. Lin.
Content:
The science can be divided into three, basic science, theory science, and apply science. Among these three, the apply science take the responsibility of connection between science and society most of the time. Our job is to cooperate with Agricultural Research and Extension Station to educate the farmers about latest knowledge. Scientists often cooperate with farmers too. Take the latest technology, Marker-assisted Selection, as an example, it is hard to discuss to the farmers. Thus, the Agricultural Research and Extension Station helps to build up connection between researcher and farmer.
The lack of knowledge in something would cause irrational rejection since human being is fear of uncertain things. Most of people in Taiwan think that the synthetic biology is dangerous to our environment. The synthetic biology is seen as Genetically Engineered Organism(GMO) by most of the people. Thus, our job is to promote the correct concept and knowledge. As long as they have knowledge, they would choose the right decision.
The education is long-term process. We have done several things for knowledge promotion for Taiwan agriculture development. First, we opened courses of Technology of Agriculture for administrative staff in Council of Agriculture in order to keep up with the latest technology around the world. Second, we educate farmers. We are like an interpreter to translate difficult science research into simple language that farmer can understand. Last but not least, we teach our student to practice what they have learned and pay back to the society.
Biology teacher in High School Education 1
Time: 07/05/16
Respondent: 黃國修 HUANG,KUO-HSIU
Location: National Yilan Senior High School, Taiwan
Q1: How do you encourage your students to enter the field of biology?
A: Students studying biology shouldn’t be disconnected from nature, especially those studying ecology. That’s why I often take my students out to the field in addition to giving traditional lectures. I also like to teach in an interdisciplinary way. For instance, I’ll often cooperate with the geology teacher, leading students to study organisms living in intertidal areas. This type of cooperation is dependent upon the subject matter at hand and the other teachers’ interests, of course. Through these field excursions, students often gain a deeper understanding and appreciation towards our environment.
In Yilan, we teach Applied Biosystems, a book regarding agriculture and biotechnology. During class, I encourage discussion among students and hands-on activities. For example, we have cooperated with the local farmers to let students participate in agricultural activities.
Throughout the student’s sophomore and junior years, biology class is more focused on exploration and discovery; but during their senior year, in preparation for the college entrance exam, we follow the textbook more closely. The school takes into account the needs of different students and recommends them not to take extra lessons outside of school (e.g. cram school).
Q2: How does the Information Age affect your teaching style?
A: We often assign research projects to students, but many of them only know how to search in Wikipedia. In many cases, a student already has an opinion in mind then goes online to search for evidence that confirms their opinion, often ignoring other evidence with different perspectives. For example, one of the research questions asks whether alcohol can kill viruses. During the first week, many students confidently said “yes”, but after some hints, they usually come up with a different answer. Multimedia use depends on the lesson at hand; some teachers use PowerPoint presentations to enhance the visual effect on specific chapter, while others choose to play a Youtube video to help students understand the lesson material.
Q3: iGEM is closely related to synthetic biology. What is your opinion on synthetic biology?
A: For many high school students, synthetic biology is a long way off. They only learn about the concept of synthetic biology during their senior year. I’m personally not in favor of teaching university material to high school students. However, I am very happy to see students go deep into research if they show interest in synthetic biology. The philosophy of synthetic biology: it allows one to play God and create lots of organisms using simple tools, almost like the putting legos together.
Q4: Science and Humanities
A: Biology can relate to lots of other issues: plastic waste in the ocean, agriculture and food safety… etc. I require students to participate in DFC: Design For Change Challenge. Looking around, students may feel disconnected from the society, but that is not actually the case. Through DFC, students can realize that they too have the power to change the ones around them, indirectly changing society in the process. For instance, a former student researched on the ingredients contained in each brand of instant noodles, compiling them into a table; allowing consumers to quickly and conveniently check for themselves. Another student did community service at a remote town, teaching the local children new scientific discoveries and playing little games etc. Some students found their direction in life through these activities. Once you step out of your comfort zone, the resources are there for you to use.
Summary
Mr. HUANG not only teaches students the basic subject but inspires them to love their environment and community by introducing them the field. We found KAP, knowledge, attitude, and practice, on Mr. HUANG. He delivers the knowledge in a brand new way to students, changing their attitude on biology and the environment. Last but not least, they do DFC to actually practice their thought. Through this kind of education, children would build a strong connection with nature and be inspired to protect her.
Teacher HUANG is unlike the other teacher in Taiwan because of his passion, effort, and responsibility.
Education and Promotion synthetic biology in high school
7/18 annd 7/19, We went to I-lan senior high school and taught them what is synthesis biology and its controversy. We present in social science major class and science an engineering class respectively. We talk about what is synthesis biology is in general, its mechanism and ended at controvertial issues brought by this technology. We hope that we not only provide knowledge over technology and development, but also provide them with another view of point. As they are becoming more mature, they shall be able to think critically.
First talk in I-lan senior high school, 7/18
Second talk in I-lan senior high school, 7/19
