The quest to create
animals with human organs has a long history – and it is now becoming a
reality. Has science taken a step too far?
By: David Robson
Published: BBC, 5
January 2017, http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170104-the-birth-of-the-human-animal-chimeras
Level of Difficulty:***
BEFORE YOU READ
·
BBC to create human animal hybrids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yccCmULoags
WATCH A FILM
·
The Island of Doctor Moreau http://ffilms.org/the-island-of-dr-moreau-1996/
ALTERNATIVELY, READ
THE BOOK
·
The Island of Doctor Moreau http://www.planetebook.com/ebooks/The-Island-of-Doctor-Moreau.pdf
QUESTIONS
1.
The Island of Doctor Moreau gives the impression
of being a horror story / an adventure story / a crime novel / a mystery story
because the main characters are a veterinarian/ a medical researcher/ a crazy
scientist and ……………………………
2.
We get the impression that past literature and
some modern papers regard the issue of half human and half human chimeras with
suspicion / disgust / fear / horror
3.
Why does the writer start his article the way he
does?
4.
What does “It” refer to in the sentence “It’s
going to open up a new understanding of biology”?
5.
We need to stop and think before proceeding down
the path of creating chimeras because…………………….
6.
Read the information about the incidence of
chimeras in nature. From the information we can draw the conclusion that
·
Homer accurately expressed the presence of
chimeras in the world
·
Chimeras in the animal kingdom are all twins
·
Human chimeras cannot be detected from their
appearance
·
Chimeras of various kinds already exist in
nature
7.
Rossant showed that the key factor when trying
to create chimeras is to make sure that……………………
8.
Rossant also thinks that the work done with
chimeras could help shed light on……………………………………………….
9.
Read the story of the Soviet Ape Man. In what
way is this experiment similar to or different from what scientists are
currently trying to do?
10.
Growing human organs in animals has two distinct
advantages: ………………would be reduced and …………………..could be more effectively
tested.
11.
The biggest technical hurdle that needs to be
overcome at present is how to deal with…………………………………
12.
Why does Rossant say “I do think that has to be
something that is taken into account and discussed extensively”?
13.
Stuart Newman is not happy with the current
solutions because:
·
He feels they may not be affective enough
·
He feels the research may not be carried far
enough
·
He feels the research may be carried too far
·
He feels the research is still in its infancy
14.
Why does Newman think scientists will be unable
to stop themselves from overreaching?
15.
Why does Newman think this research could pave
the way for designer babies?
16.
What are the possible implications of research into
human and animal chimeras in terms of society?
17.
Read the remainder of the text to the end. Which
of the statements below best express the writer’s views?
·
He is deeply disturbed by the repercussions of
the research
·
He has serious reservations about this new
research
·
He mostly agrees with the arguments put forward
in the journal nature
·
He expresses an understanding of the pros and
cons of the issue
18.
Why does the writer end the article by referring
back to “The Island of Doctor Moreau?
WRITING TASK
Write an argumentative essay on whether to allow research
into chimeras in your own country or not. Consider the arguments below:
For:
·
Organs for transplant could be created
·
Waiting times for organs could be reduced
·
Drug
tests could be carried out more affectively
Against:
·
Scientists may go too far
·
It will numb our sense of our own humanity
·
It is unethical
THE BIRTH OF HALF
HUMAN, HALF ANIMAL CHIMERAS KEY AND TEACHERS’NOTES
Chimeras do exist in
nature occurring naturally in the womb or
in the animal kingdom but actually creating human animal chimeras for organ
transplant is a completely new phenomenon but it needs to be discussed as it
has recently been legalized in the UK. It should lead to a good argumentative
essay. Some will feel that scientists can be prevented from going too far with
legislation others will feel this won’t stop them but at least they will have
formed an informed opinion.
1. A
horror story, a crazy scientist and grotesque travesties of men
2. Horror
3.
It is standard practice to start with the
counter argument and then introduce your own argument. A striking example like
the one in this text will motivate the reader to continue reading, especially
if he agrees with the counter arguments
4.
Implanting human stem cells into an animal
embryo
5.
It may permanently change our understanding of
what it means to be human
6.
The last one
7.
Ensuring
that the placenta matches the mother’s DNA
8.
The behavioral differences between species
9.
The foreign tissue in the chimeras would be
limited to specific organ in the new research
10.
Waiting time, drugs
11.
The evolutionary gap between humans and pigs
12.
Because she found her chimeras shared the temperaments
of both species; OR because stem cells have reached the brains of animal
chimeras
13.
He feels that the research may be carried too
far
14.
Because there is a momentum to the whole enterprise
that makes you want to go further and further
15.
Because it would numb our sense of our own
humanity
16.
If the public thinks a human is a compilation of
capacities, those existing humans with fewer of these valued capacities will be
considered of lesser value
17.
The last one
18.
It is good stylistically
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