Unit4 Genetic engineering: the hopes and fears of the future Pre-Reading activities One of the most controversial

areas of medicine is a field called genetic engineering. The word genetic is related to gene. A gene carries chemically coded information which determines the characteristics of an orangism. A genetic engineer plans and designs living things, from single-celled bacteria to complex animals including man. Discuss and answer the following questions briefly. How is the work of a genetic engineer similar to the work of other engineers? Do you see any possible problems with genetic engineering? Match the word on the left with the definitions on the right in the chart below Blueprint lagre ruminant animals with horns and cloven hoofs, domesticated for meat or milk, or as beasts of burden; cows and oxen. Breed a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction Cattle a hormone produced in the pancreas by the isets of Langerhans, which regulates the mount of glucose in the blood. Embryo an early plan and design which explains how something might be achieved Anzyme develop ( a kind of animal of plan ) for a particular purpose or quality Insulin an unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development Now read the following passage The beginning of Genetic Engineering acid), a chain of chemicals found in the genes of on living things. The chemicals are arranged in special pattems which from a blueprint for the life and growth of the organism. These chemicals nt only make a human being different from a rose, but determine height, eyes color and tens of thousands of other characteristics. Researchers have also found that irregularities in the chemical arrangment cause certain birth defects and may also determine which with people are more likely to become victims of diseases, such as cancer, later in life. By studying these genes, scientists are learning how life grows and changes. Rechearchers now know how to read this blueprint of life and even how to change parts of it. They have discovered the location of genes which control characteristics such as growth, the production of

hormones such as insulin, and diseases such as sickle cell anemia. They hope to learn even more in the future. scientists are also learning how to rearrange the genes in the blueprint. Special chemicals called enzymes can replace one chemical with another. This process, known as recombiant DNA,changes the genes and therefore the characteristics of the organism. Using this technique, scientists can either grow new cells in the laboratory or put them back into the body to produce different characteristics. By changing and creating new forms of life in laboratories, scientists can speed up nature s progress. The hope In the coming years, an increasing amount of our food, medicine, and manufactured goods will come knowledge to improve our food supply. They have combined the genes of a tomato and a potato to produce a pomato that has more nutritional value than either vegetable. Genetic engineers have helps famers in other ways too. They have ferfected embryo transfer, a procedure in which fertilized, eggs are taken from prize-winnning cows and implanted in ordinary cows. The ordinary mothers then give birth to superior animals. Cattle farmers are also benefiting from other advances in genetic engineering. Using a combination of test-tube breeding and embryo engineering, genetic engineers are producing cattle which are less likely to become ill, will eat less often, produce more meat and milk, and grow to marketable size In only six months. They have change the growth genes of mice to produce a new supermouse and combined the genes of a goat and a sheep to produce a new animal called a geep. They can even produce an elephant-size cow that can give 45,000 pounds of milk each year. Genetic engineers have also made exciting breakthroughs in medicine. Unlimited supplies of insulin can be produced for people who suffer from diabetes, a disease which inhibits the bodys ability to produce insulin itseft. Doctors have also developed a method of producing lagre quantities of interferon. This wonderdrug is being used to fight many kinds of viruses and some scientists feel that it may even fight some forms of cancer. Another recent discovery is disease fighters called monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies can be joined and aimed directly at cancer cells in the body without harming healthy tissues. The fears Biotechnology may be one of the greatest discoveries in history, but some people feel that it is potentially very dangerous. They fear that scientists may inad vertently creata new types of deadly bacteria that would spread rapidly because the human body would have no natural defense against them. Scientists have tried to safeguard against this danger by creating bacteria that will die if they are removed from the laboratory enviroment. However, there is always the chance that an error could be made. Other people object to genetic engineering because they say that scientists are playing God by creating new life forms. They also worry that if researchers develop ways to predict and control human characteristices, some people may try to start a super race or even try to create a caste system in

which spectific kinds of work . in addition, some people are afraid that given the choice, parents may try to control exactly what kind of children they will have. Genetic engineering is just beginning to have an important influence on our lives. Therefore,it is impossible to say how much influence it will have in the futuer. The potential benefits are enormous, but the risks are also great. Therefore, scientists must proceed with great caution. (from the new technologies Allen, Harold B and Robinett, Betty Wallace McGraw-hill Book Company 1986) Understanding the text Getting the main idea The author of this article thinks Genetic engineers play God No one should sorry about genetic engineering. Genetic engineering has both risks and benefits. Give two benefits and two risks of genetic engineering. Checking the facts Where is DNA found? What techcique do scientists use to produce new forms of life? How does the technique of embryo transfer help farmers? What is interferon? Why is the creation of new kinds of bacteria potenially dangerous? What is a super race? Making interences Why was the discovery of DNA important? Which group is most likely to oppose genetic engineering? Reading skill Scanning for specific information

Sometimes when you are article you looking for specific information. You will save a lot of time if you scan the article first, so that you know which parts you need to read. For example, presend that you are writing a technical report on genetic engineering on the farm. What paragraphs should you read? What paragraph should you read if you need to know about recombinant DNA? Post-Reading activities Discussion Do you think genetic engineers are interfering withnature or improving it? Why? Do you think that government should control the work of genetic engineers? Would you want to choose what kind of child you would have? If so, what characteristics would be the most important to you? Health Gender Talents Intelligence appearance