Round Table discussion summary

In the round table discussion, group 1 discussed the potential and usage in transportation of biodiesel. Biodiesel is a renewable energy which is made from crops such as soya bean, when 20% of it is mix with normal gasoline or diesel fuel, it provide the equivalent energy power to run a vehicles engine at a cheaper price. Comparing biodiesel to other normal fuel, it emits lesser carbon dioxide which helps climate change and can be produce in a shorter period of time.

There are still concerns of biodiesel as in cold countries; it may not replace normal fuel as it has a higher freezing point than normal fuel which will clog vehicle’s engine.

The other concern is if biodiesel is to replace gasoline, food crops will be affected, as higher demand of biodiesel means more money earn from selling the soya bean which will make farms to grow soya bean more than other crops. A solution is suggested to tackle this problem; by using the government power to control the types of crop the farmer should grow in the area to average out the type of crop grow.

With the continued research and improvement on the biodiesel, it may replace fossil fuel in the future. There is a great prospective for it.

Group 2 discussed about green chemistry on whether Singapore should adopt it or not. The focus was on biodegradable plastic which is made from biomass such as corn and beans.

Green chemistry is more efficient manufacturing and better waste conversion as compare to normal plastic. Green chemistry can bring about profits and they are renewable and safe which can replace normal plastic in anyways. The concerns are is it toxic to human and will the price of plastic increase if Singapore uses green chemistry.

With the continue research of biodegradable plastic, it may one day replace the use of normal plastic and could save the earth.

Group 3 discussed about genetic engineering. It offers a great breakthrough to varying who we are today, but it also has its limits to opposition religious and humane to activists. The discussion of whether genetic engineering should be allowed is discussed.

Deciding the baby’s gender before birth and also deciding his/her future which makes the parents has a choice to decide on the babies. Deciding for the babies, there is no right or wrong answer to it. Problem of sex imbalance will occur as people prefer having male over females.

With genetic engineering, it will be able to create athletically stronger babies when they grow up, make them more resistant to diseases and also minimizing defects babies. This are more appreciate matters.

Concern of whether athletically better babies who grow up are allowed to participate in sporting event to compete again normal people. The choice was made for them before birth, but whether it is a burden or not, this is up to the people to decide.

With genetic engineering, we can make perfect babies, but what we define perfect as and what comes after perfect. Nobody knows the answers to it, but most importantly is who we are to the people around us.