BIONIC BRAINS AND BEYOND

Published: The Wall Street Journal; June 1, 2012; http://online.wsj.com

By: Daniel H. Wilson

Level of Difficulty: ***

BEFORE YOU READ

1.       What course will evolution take in the future?

2.       Do you think man will be shaping his own physical and mental characteristics in any way? Explain.

3.       Do you think there should be any restrictions on this?

QUESTIONS

1.       The reason why Susie Hamilton’s scores were so high on the fictitious National Spelling bee was that her abilities had been enhanced by ………………………………………………………………………..

2.       What is the writer referring to when he enquires “Sound farfetched? It isn’t.”

3.       What bonus will new technologies provide for the disabled?

4.       Why could implants designed to combat disabilities have the potential to cause a civil rights movement?

5.       What is the dilemma concerning these implants and what are your views?

6.       Read the story of Oscar Pistorius. The reason why he has been allowed to compete despite his cheetah blades is the fact that……………………………………………………………………………………….

7.       The writer states that in the future,”able bodied athletes would no longer be able to compete effectively” Why would they be at a disadvantage?

8.       Where is the demand for this technology mainly coming from?

9.       The writer states that “Industry is taking notice”. What exactly is industry taking notice of? You will need to use your own words to some extent.

10.   What two functions do neural implants perform?

11.   What do all the applications of neural implants currently in use have in common? Use your own words.

12.   In what way could neural implants improve learning during intellectual activities?

13.   Neural implants could enable “athletes to hone their skills incredibly quickly” thanks to the fact that they ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

14.   All the instances mentioned in paragraph 20 are examples of ……………………………………………

15.   Why will the disabled be the first to try out the new technology?

16.   Who will the second group to benefit from this technology be and why?

WRITING TASK

Read the questions posed in paragraph 24 of the text carefully. Now, write an essay in which you discuss where you stand in relation to the dilemmas.

BIONIC BRAINS AND BEYOND/ TEACHER’S NOTES AND KEY

This text is all about a very new issue: enhancing our physical and mental capabilities. As such it should lend itself to lively discussion and an essay. I found the text riveting. I hope you do too.

1.       A neural implant (that prevented her seizures but appeared to make her a prodigy at memorization)

2.       A new battle over civil rights – over the very definition of the word human – had begun.

3.       They may have a super ability. OR: They may be better off than able bodied folk.

4.       Because they would create a class of superabled people whose capacities would destabilize society at large.

5.       Should we have an unlimited sovereign right to upgrade our own bodies?

6.       The advantages of the cheetah blades are offset by the disadvantage of being a double amputee.

7.       Because the prosthetic of tomorrow…

8.       The influx of amputees returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.

9.       The demand for something much better than the original limb

10.   Listen to your brain activity; talk directly to your brain.

11.   They are designed to treat serious medical conditions.

12.   The user could choose to stay focused on command while constantly strengthening circuits of the brain associated with concentrating.

13.   Strengthen neural pathways associated with physical tasks.

14.   Next generation assisted technology.

15.   Because they have a lot to gain and are willing to face the risks inherent in new medical technology.

16.   The elderly; they will have lost physical and mental capacity through the natural aging process.