To use film and
media clips to
understand the
advantages and
disadvantages of
GENETIC
ENGINEERING.
Grade C
You will be able to define the
terms genetic engineering,
cloning and stem cell research.
Grade B
You will be able to explain some
of the advantages and
disadvantages of genetic
engineering, cloning and stem
cell research.
Grade A-A*
You will be able to express an
opinion on genetic engineering,
cloning and stem cell research.
BUT…
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You
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three
STEM
CELL
GENETIC
some
important
definitions
– can
the following
words…
ENGINEERING
RESEARCH
you work
out which
terms…
FILL
THE
one isIN
which?
BLANKS
CLONING
SO…
Genetic Engineering: The deliberate alteration of a person by
manipulating its genetic framework in order to cure or prevent
diseases and disabilities in human beings. This can also be done
using plants and animals.
Cloning: A clone is an exact copy of something. Reproductive
cloning is a technology that is used to create an animal or plant
with an identical genetic make up. It used one set of cells
rather than two.
Stem Cell Research: The most recent form of genetic
research.
Stem cells are the ‘ building blocks of life’ and can be used to
create (clone) new organs or cells to replace diseased ones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn52Ed1q4rk
Use this clip to add any additional information/detail to your definitions
Grade C
You will be able
to define the
terms genetic
engineering,
cloning and
stem cell
research.
Are there
any
DISADVANTAGES?
Watch the
following clips
carefully and
write down any
ADVANTAGES
to GENETIC
ENGINEERING.
Genetic Engineering...
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Set your book
up in the
following way.
Now try to add AT LEAST
ONE idea in each column.
Swap ideas with a
partner – try to add AT
LEAST ONE MORE
idea in each column.
Add any ideas that you
didn’t have but like in
GREEN PEN.
Advantages and disadvantages...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiR0clfzDXo
•
•
What are the
ADVANTAGES ?
Are there any
DISADVANTAGES ?
It can be used to change
the genes in the embryo –
this could stop children
being born with genetic
diseases .such as Cystic
Fibrosis.
• Our genetics is what makes
us unique – who is to say
what is defective?
It can improve quality of
life, reduce people being
born who will suffer/be in
pain.
• The process is irreversible
so if anything went wrong
it would be permanent.
• Other diseases may be
caused by genetic
modification.
Advantages and disadvantages...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaIYwzXQ9xc
What are the
ADVANTAGES ?
Organisms can be
made to produce
chemicals that are
needed in medicines, for
example bacteria that
produces human insulin.
•
•This means medication
for is more widely
available.
Are there any
DISADVANTAGES ?
•
In the wrong hands this
kind of technology could
lead to mass production of
the wrong substances –
e.g. biological weapons
• The long term effects are
unknown.
Advantages and disadvantages...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEc7QXAjsL4&feature/results_main&playnext/1&list/PLC13A29DE36353066
What are the
ADVANTAGES ?
Are there any
DISADVANTAGES ?
• Genes have been inserted
into animals to grow organs this can enable those in need of
life saving organs to receive
them without the need for
waiting lists.
• Animals can be harmed in
this process.
• The outcomes cannot be
certain and are unknown.
Advantages and disadvantages...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVIznPgdQSM
What are the
ADVANTAGES ?
• Animals can be grown to be
heavier and have leaner meat –
which means more meat to eat
that is healthier.
•We can adapt the genetic
makeup of animals to aid our
needs.
Are there any
DISADVANTAGES ?
• Animals can be exploited
for our curiosity/
entertainment.
• Is it moral/ethical to use
and treat animals this way?
• Scientist might go too far
and produce unnatural
organisms.
• It could reduce the variety
of animals.
Advantages and disadvantages...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja6al3OLyIo
What are the
ADVANTAGES ?
• Genetically modified crops
allow us to create more crops
which can solve issues such as
global hunger.
• GM crops grow resistant to
disease and insects and harsh
climates.
• GM crops can save farmers
money.
•GM crops can be boosted in
nutrition.
Are there any
DISADVANTAGES ?
• Possible transferring of allergies.
• Can alter our human digestive
system and this could be life
threatening.
• There is no information about the
long term consequences.
• Changes may affect the balance
of biological systems.
Is there anything we missed?...
•
• Stem cell research, genetic
engineering and cloning, offer the
prospect of cures for currently
incurable diseases.
• It is available in some countries
already.
• Cloning has been used to grow
healthy cells to replace
malfunctioning ones.
• Genetic research is a vital tool in
medical science, it would
be wrong to ignore the
advantages genetic
engineering can bring.
• The laws on what can
be done are strictly
monitored to protect
from abuse.
•Genetic engineering treats the human
body as a commodity to be manipulated
no different to plants.
•There is no information about the long
term consequences.
• It opens the way for
genetic screening
where people could be
checked for likely
illnesses before
getting jobs or life
insurance.
•It is only available to
the rich who can afford
to travel and pay
medical bills.
Cloning...
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
Set your
book up
in the
following
way.
Advantages and disadvantages...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qry1gYYDCA
What are the ADVANTAGES
?
• Cloning has been used to grow
healthy cells to replace
malfunctioning ones.
• Human cloning could aid in
finding suitable organs for
donation or bone marrow and
blood matches.
Are there any
DISADVANTAGES ?
Once started there is no going
back, scientists will be able to
reproduce scientifically
created human beings.
These human beings could be
used and abused in the name
of science as they have no true
origin.
Watch the following clip (01.20 - 03.05)
Pay particular attention to both the
positive and negative emotions that she
touches upon.
What are the positives?
What are the negatives?
How can this be linked to what we have
been discussing?
In the film children have been
cloned from unknown people (there is
a rumour among the children that the
'originals' who provided the DNA
were outcasts in society - drug
addicts, criminals, etc) for the sole
purpose of providing donor organs for
others.
At some point in young adulthood,
they will be called upon to donate a
major organ. Some time later, they
will donate again and so on until they
'complete' - that is to say, until their
body becomes incapable of supporting
life and they die.
Some 'complete' after just one
donation, some survive as many as
four donations.
In late teens, donors can volunteer
to become carers. If chosen their
own donations will be delayed by a
few years, and they will be expected
to support and care for other donors
going through the donation process.
Grade B
You will be able to
explain some of the
advantages and
disadvantages of
genetic engineering,
cloning and stem
cell research.
What do I think?
Write YOUR OPINION on your POST-IT.
Give ONE reason WHY.
Put your POST-IT on the board.
Watch the following clip (21.45 – 26.09)
The clip is set in 1978 and takes place at a very special
school. In this clip, some of the children at that school
are about to find out just how special they are.
What would it be like to hear such news?
How might you feel if you discovered that you had been
bred solely for the purpose of providing spare parts for
someone else?
Is it fair that the donor children are denied a normal
life in order to enable others to be cured of
potentially life-threatening conditions?
You have the choice of making it legal to
clone humans.
What would you do and why?
Try to consider BOTH sides of the
argument and explain your REASONS for
making the decision you have.
Grade A-A*
You will be able to
express an
opinion on genetic
engineering and
stem cell
research.
Are these Statements For or Against Genetic Engineering?
It offers the prospect of cures for currently incurable diseases
It is being done in other countries and so is available to those rich enough to
travel and pay for treatments
Researchers have too little information about the long-term consequences
Research into stem cell cloning would only use embryos until it was easier to use
adult cells
It has effects which would be irreversible, so if anything went wrong it would be
permanent
Genetic research is an integral part of medical research and is bound to include
some genetic engineering
It places too much power in the hands of scientists who could use genetic
engineering to act like Dr Frankenstein to produce scientifically created humans
Genetic Engineering treats the human body as a commodity no different from
plants
It offers the possibility of people having to be genetically screened before getting
life insurance, jobs etc.
Genetic research is closely monitored by the law, but has vast potential benefits
F? A?