The Future is in our Genes
Teaching objectives:
By the end of this class, students will be able to:
1. Learn the possible changes genome editing can bring to human life and health care.
2. Be critical to advanced technology such as designer babies.
Teaching difficult points
3. Compose a short essay to convey ideas logically.
Teaching important and difficult points
1. How to cultivate student’s critical thinking about advanced technology.
2. How to compose an entire writing logically.
1. Lead in
Watch a short video about genome editing and ask:
What happened to the main character?
2. Pre-reading: Prediction
What’s going to be talked about in the lecture, according to the title?
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3. While-reading
3.1 Fast reading
(1) What’s the speaker’s attitude to genome editing?
A. Doubtful. B. Worried.
C. Positive. D. Vague.
(2) The structure of the text
3.2 careful reading
Para 2 Fill in the blanks
Main Idea. |
Aspects |
Genes play a critical role in shaping our lives. |
The color of eyes and our talent for math. |
Making us grow and develop . |
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Helping determine lifespan and affects our chances of contracting certain diseases . |
Para 3: Genome editing can help with disease treatment and prevention.
(1) How can geneticists make changes to the genomes?
By correcting, adding, deleting, replacing specific parts of the genetic material.
(2) How might genome editing make it possible to prevent diseases from developing?
By correcting abnormal genes early on.
Para 4: Many people are concerned about how to use genome editing appropriately.
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what moral issues designer babies
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Putting appropriate controls in place
4. Post reading: Composition
(1) What is a designer baby?
A “designer baby” is a baby whose characteristics have been specifically selected before it is born.
(2) Should we feel excited about designer babies?
Watch a video about designer babies.
(3) Are you for or against designer babies? Why? Please write down at least two reasons.
Possible answers:
Reasons for Designer Babies
I am for the designer babies for the following reasons. Firstly, designer babies can be perfectly healthy. Secondly, they can be stronger and cleverer than ordinary babies. What’s more, the research on them help further the cause of science. In addition, they may have substantially longer lifespan. Last but not least, they can maintain a healthy gender ratio, the balance of males and females.
In conclusion, we should feel excited about designer babies.
Reasons against Designer Babies
I strongly against designer babies due to the following reasons.
Firstly, designer babies will not be a success story all the time. Also, they can cause a rift in the social balance. Most importantly, designer babies would be artificial so there would be no individuality.
In conclusion, we should feel excited about designer babies.
5. Summary and Homework
1. Polish up your composition
2. Find out more advantages or disadvantages of gemone edition to prepare for the debate next class.
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