When Charles Darwin published " On the origin of species" in 1859, the Bishop of Worcester's wife was very much distressed. "Let us hope it is not true," she said, "But if it is, let us pray that it does not become generally known!"
Supposing that we had been alive 150 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 to rationalise my own response to genetic engineering. I personally feel that if we were supposed to be perfect, we would have been designed that way. Surely experimenting with genes is an invasion of the human self. On the other hand, can we honestly say that the human self is to be found in our genes?
From the medical point of view, genetic engineering has opened up exciting possibilities for the treatment of genetically related disorders. However, the real problem with this new science is that it threatens to undermine our world: our moral and social codes.
Yet if morality had originally been based on reason, our attitudes might have been justifiable. Unfortunately, morality has it origin in the prejudice ritual and habit, and, as a result, the possibilities afforded by scientific advance are increasingly constrained.
2.17. Change the sentences into the past:
1. He says he is a bachelor of the Institute of Biology.
2. He says he passed the exams with good marks.
3. The student says he will enter the post-graduate courses.
4. My sister thinks she will have finished her thesis by the end of September.
5. My supervisor asks what article I am writing.
6. I think you are cleverer.
7. Everybody knows the candidate exam will be taken in May.
8. It seems everything is clear.
9. I know what you are thinking about.
2.18. Put the following sentences into reported speech:
1. He said: " I'll teach you natural science; I like to collect different plants and watch the behaviour of these animals day and night; I have caught a tortoise today; I'm reading about different species of animals."
2. He asked: "Has he decided to publish the materials of his voyage? Does he like to go on a sea voyage? Did he explain the origin of different species in his book? What conclusion did you come to after reading this book? Will you return this book in time? Have you made a report about it?
UNIT 3. BIOTECHNOLOGY
WARM-UP
3.1. Before you read the text, discuss the following questions in pairs, make use of the prompts in brackets:
1. What is the definition of biotechnology? (technology, research techniques, biological processes, societal needs; to control, to meet, to use)
2. What are the goals of genetic engineering? (products, human problems, genetic manipulation, gene transfer, DNA typing and cloning; to develop, to solve)
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VOCABULARY
application
bioinformatics -
biological entity-
biological/ biotech process-
biorobotics -
biotechnology -
cell reprogramming -
cloning- ,
derivative ,
desired trait- ,
develop products -
diet - ,
DNA typing -
DNA(deoxyribonucleic acid)- ( )
embryonic stem cell-
engineering- , ,
establish identity-
gene -
genetic -
genome-
genotype -
HGH (human growth hormone)-
make adult clones -
meet needs - ()
microorganism -
originate from-
plant in abundance- , ( -)
pluripotent stem cell-
range from to -
reproductive - ,
research technique
simulate - ,
solve human problems -
splicing - ,
tandem repeat pattern-
technology-
transgenic -
yield-
DEVELOPING VOCABULARY
