Genetic Engineering

When Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species in1859, the Bishop of Worcester’s wife was most distressed. “Let us hope it is not true”, she remarked. “But if it is, let us pray that it does not become generally known!”

Supposing that we had been alive a hundred years ago, would we have been repelled by the suggestion that humans and apes may have had a common ancestor? And had our ancestors been born in modern times, would they have been similarly repelled by the thought of ‘designer’ babies? I suspect that the answer to both questions would be in the affirmative!

I have tried (1) ______ rationalise my own response (2) _______ genetic engineering. I personally feel that (3) _______we were supposed to be perfect, we would have (4) _______ designed that way. Surely experimenting with genes is (5) _______ invasion of the human self? On the (6) _______ hand, can we honestly say that the human self is to (7) _______ found in our genes?

From the medical point (8) _______ view, genetic engineering has opened up exciting possibilities for the treatment (9) _______ genetically related disorders. However, the real problem (10) _______ this new science is that it threatens to undermine the categories through (11) _______ we understand our world: our moral and social codes.

(12) _______ the Bishop of Worcester’s wife, the anti-science lobby wishes to shut out the facts that might upset its moral universe.

Yet, if morality had originally been based (13) _______ reason, our attitudes might (14) _______ been justifiable. Unfortunately, morality has (15) _______ origin in prejudice, ritual and habit, and, (16) _______ a result, the possibilities afforded by scientific advance are increasingly constrained.

5.17. a) The war has always been a real pest of the world. What do you think about it? Work in a group and discuss the questions below.

Questions:

1. Can there be any purpose in a war? What war can be justified? Think of some examples from the history of Russia or other countries to prove your point of view.

2. How does each type of war characterise the population of the countries fighting in the war?

3. Is it possible to live without wars? What should people change in their behaviour to reach this ‘warless’ state? Is such a state possible in the modern word? Why?

4. What do you think about military operations in different countries at the moment? Pick up a couple of cases and analyse them.

b) Have your every heard the word Balaklava? What is it? Do you know what a ‘balaclava’ means in English? Consult a dictionary. Read the text and speak on the following: the main participants; the main reason of the war; the main political results of the war; the useful consequences of the war. What linguistic legacy did the war of 1854-1855 leave behind? c) Can you think about other “war inventions”?

“The Thin Red Line” and a “Balaklava Hat”

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27