Reading Practice for Intermediate: The Genetic Manipulation Dilemma
Reading Practice for Intermediate: The Genetic Manipulation Dilemma A. Building Knowledge of the Field Have students watch the video below to build their knowledge on the genetic manipulation. Have students […]
Reading Practice for Intermediate: The Genetic Manipulation Dilemma
A. Building Knowledge of the Field
Have students watch the video below to build their knowledge on the genetic manipulation.
Have students answer the questions below orally!
- What is genetic manipulation, and why is it important?
- How can genetic manipulation be used in agriculture?
- What are some potential benefits of using genetic manipulation in medicine?
- What are some ethical concerns associated with genetic manipulation?
- How can society ensure that genetic manipulation is used responsibly?
B. Related/Technical Vocabulary
Have students learn the following vocabulary to understand the upcoming text better. (Play the audio for each vocabulary word, have students repeat it, and then discuss the meaning together)
| 1 | Genetic Manipulation | The process of altering the genetic material of an organism to achieve desired traits. | |
| 2 | Genetically Modified (GM) Crops | Crops whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques to possess certain desirable traits. | |
| 3 | Bt Cotton | A type of genetically modified cotton that produces an insecticide to combat pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides. | |
| 4 | Gene Therapy | A medical technique that involves altering the genes inside a person’s cells to treat or prevent disease. | |
| 5 | Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) | A group of rare disorders caused by mutations in different genes involved in the development and function of infection-fighting immune cells. | |
| 6 | Superweeds | Weeds that have developed resistance to herbicides, often as a result of crossbreeding with genetically modified crops. | |
| 7 | Biodiversity | The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, often considered to be vital for ecological balance. | |
| 8 | Designer Babies | Babies whose genetic characteristics have been artificially selected or modified to ensure specific traits. | |
| 9 | Genetic Discrimination | Discrimination against individuals based on their genetic information, often concerning their predisposition to certain diseases. | |
| 10 | Genetically Engineered Insulin | Insulin that is produced through recombinant DNA technology, making it identical to human insulin and used to treat diabetes. | |
| 11 | Ethical Dilemmas | Situations in which there is a conflict between moral imperatives, where choosing one option would result in transgressing another. | |
| 12 | Global Inequalities | The unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among countries and populations on a global scale. | |
| 13 | Ecosystem | A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment. | |
| 14 | Herbicides | Chemical substances used to control or destroy unwanted vegetation, particularly weeds. | |
| 15 | Pests | Organisms that are considered harmful or inconvenient to humans, often because they damage crops or spread diseases. | |
| 16 | Climate Change | Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions on Earth, often attributed to human activities. | |
| 17 | Genetic Engineering | The direct manipulation of an organism’s genes using biotechnology to change its characteristics. | |
| 18 | Medical Breakthrough | A significant and often sudden advance in medical science that leads to major improvements in health and treatment. | |
| 19 | Food Security | The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. | |
| 20 | Genetic Disorders | Diseases or conditions caused by abnormalities in an individual’s genetic material. |
Now, have students listen to the entire audio of the words to reinforce their understanding.
C. Text
Have students read the following text carefully to understand the pros and cons of Genetic Manipulation. Play the audio to assist them in reading the text.
The Genetic Manipulation Dilemma
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 On one hand, the benefits of genetic manipulation are significant. One notable advantage is its potential to solve food shortages. By altering the genes of crops, scientists can create varieties more resistant to pests, diseases, and harsh environmental conditions. For instance, genetically modified (GM) crops like Bt cotton produce their own pesticide, reducing the need for chemical sprays and increasing yields. This advancement could be crucial in feeding the growing global population, especially in regions facing frequent crop failures due to climate change. |
 Additionally, genetic manipulation holds promise in medicine. Scientists have developed genetically engineered insulin, revolutionizing diabetes treatment by providing a more reliable solution than previous methods. Gene therapy, another breakthrough, involves altering genes to treat or prevent diseases, showing success in treating conditions like severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and certain cancers. Such advancements could lead to the eradication of genetic disorders and significant improvements in human health. |
 However, despite these benefits, genetic manipulation also presents concerns. One major issue is the potential impact on the environment. The introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into ecosystems can lead to unforeseen consequences. For example, GM crops may crossbreed with wild relatives, potentially creating “superweeds” resistant to herbicides. These superweeds could spread uncontrollably, disrupting local ecosystems and harming biodiversity. |
 Another significant concern is the ethical implications of genetic manipulation. The ability to alter the genetic makeup of living organisms raises questions about the extent to which humans should interfere with nature. Critics argue that manipulating genes for human benefit, especially in animals, could lead to unforeseen ethical dilemmas. For instance, the concept of “designer babies,” where parents select specific traits for their offspring, raises concerns about social inequality and potential genetic discrimination. |
 Furthermore, there is a fear that genetic manipulation could widen the gap between developed and developing countries. Access to advanced genetic technologies may be limited to wealthier nations, exacerbating existing global inequalities. Developing countries, which could benefit the most from GM crops and medical advancements, might not have the resources to implement these technologies effectively. |
 In conclusion, genetic manipulation is indeed a double-edged sword. While it offers significant potential to address global challenges such as food security and medical advancements, it also raises important environmental, ethical, and social concerns. As we explore this technology, it is crucial to weigh both the benefits and risks carefully, ensuring that our pursuit of progress does not come at too high a cost. |
Now, have students listen to the entire audio of the text to reinforce their understanding.
Or watch the video!
D. Grammatical Aspects
The following are the grammatical aspects of the text.
(Teacher explains the grammatical aspects of the text)
Use of Conditional Sentences
The text employs conditional sentences to explore hypothetical scenarios and their potential outcomes related to genetic manipulation. These sentences often follow an “if… then” structure, allowing the discussion of various risks and benefits depending on certain conditions.
Examples from the Text:
1. “If GM crops crossbreed with wild relatives, they could create ‘superweeds’ resistant to herbicides.”
(Potential Environmental Risk)
The conditional sentence here presents a hypothetical situation where genetically modified (GM) crops might crossbreed with wild plants. The “if” clause introduces the condition (crossbreeding), and the main clause (“could create”) suggests a possible negative outcome—the emergence of “superweeds” resistant to herbicides. This structure highlights the potential environmental risks of genetic manipulation.
2. “If gene therapy becomes more widespread, it could lead to the eradication of genetic disorders.”
(Potential Medical Benefit)
This conditional sentence discusses a positive outcome where gene therapy’s wider use might eradicate genetic disorders. The “if” clause (“If gene therapy becomes more widespread”) sets the condition, while the main clause (“could lead to”) indicates the possible benefit. This structure allows for speculation on the hopeful possibilities of genetic manipulation in medicine.
3. “If access to advanced genetic technologies is limited to wealthier nations, it might widen the gap between developed and developing countries.”
(Potential Social Inequality)
This conditional sentence addresses the concern that unequal access to genetic technologies could exacerbate global inequalities. The “if” clause presents the condition (limited access), while the main clause (“might widen”) predicts a possible negative consequence—worsening the divide between developed and developing countries. This structure emphasizes the social risks of unequal technological distribution.
4. “If not carefully regulated, genetic manipulation could lead to unforeseen ethical dilemmas.”
(Potential Ethical Dilemmas)
The conditional sentence here warns of potential ethical issues arising from unregulated genetic manipulation. The “if” clause (“If not carefully regulated”) introduces the condition, and the main clause (“could lead to”) suggests a possible negative outcome. This structure serves as a caution, highlighting the importance of regulation in preventing ethical concerns.
Conditional sentences in the text are used to discuss possible risks, benefits, and outcomes of genetic manipulation, encouraging students to consider the implications of these hypothetical scenarios.
E. Quiz
Have students do the following quiz to test their understanding on the text.
The Genetic Manipulation Dilemma
Genetic manipulation, the process of altering the genetic material of an organism to achieve desired traits, has triggered widespread debate. Proponents and opponents alike present compelling arguments, making this topic interesting and complex issue to explore.
On one hand, the benefits of genetic manipulation are significant. One notable advantage is its potential to solve food shortages. By altering the genes of crops, scientists can create varieties more resistant to pests, diseases, and harsh environmental conditions. For instance, genetically modified (GM) crops like Bt cotton produce their own pesticide, reducing the need for chemical sprays and increasing yields. This advancement could be crucial in feeding the growing global population, especially in regions facing frequent crop failures due to climate change.
Additionally, genetic manipulation holds promise in medicine. Scientists have developed genetically engineered insulin, revolutionizing diabetes treatment by providing a more reliable solution than previous methods. Gene therapy, another breakthrough, involves altering genes to treat or prevent diseases, showing success in treating conditions like severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and certain cancers. Such advancements could lead to the eradication of genetic disorders and significant improvements in human health.
However, despite these benefits, genetic manipulation also presents concerns. One major issue is the potential impact on the environment. The introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into ecosystems can lead to unforeseen consequences. For example, GM crops may crossbreed with wild relatives, potentially creating “superweeds” resistant to herbicides. These superweeds could spread uncontrollably, disrupting local ecosystems and harming biodiversity.
Another significant concern is the ethical implications of genetic manipulation. The ability to alter the genetic makeup of living organisms raises questions about the extent to which humans should interfere with nature. Critics argue that manipulating genes for human benefit, especially in animals, could lead to unforeseen ethical dilemmas. For instance, the concept of “designer babies,” where parents select specific traits for their offspring, raises concerns about social inequality and potential genetic discrimination.
Furthermore, there is a fear that genetic manipulation could widen the gap between developed and developing countries. Access to advanced genetic technologies may be limited to wealthier nations, exacerbating existing global inequalities. Developing countries, which could benefit the most from GM crops and medical advancements, might not have the resources to implement these technologies effectively.
In conclusion, genetic manipulation is indeed a double-edged sword. While it offers significant potential to address global challenges such as food security and medical advancements, it also raises important environmental, ethical, and social concerns. As we explore this technology, it is crucial to weigh both the benefits and risks carefully, ensuring that our pursuit of progress does not come at too high a cost.
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