Step 2: What's next? 2/ Breaking the code

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• Secundair onderwijs

Step 2: What's next?

Discussing medical developments

2/ Breaking the code

Ex. 1

Watch the video on CRISPR. Answer the questions.

a CRISPR is a 2-part system. Which 2 parts?

b Are these statements true, false or not mentioned in the text (NIT)? Correct the false statements and rewrite the statements that were not mentioned.

Ex. 1

Watch the video on CRISPR. Answer the questions.

a CRISPR is a 2-part system. Which 2 parts?

Ex. 1

Watch the video on CRISPR. Answer the questions.

a CRISPR is a 2-part system. Which 2 parts?

There is a GPS locator and there is a pair of molecular scissors. The GPS locator directs the molecular scissors to a specific part of the DNA that is removed. They correct the cells in the petri dish and put them back into the patient.

Ex. 1

b Are these statements true, false or not mentioned in the text (NIT)? Correct the false statements and rewrite the statements that were not mentioned.

1. The edited genes that are put back diminish the symptoms of
the disease that the patient has.

1. true
2. false
3. NIT

The edited genes that are put back diminish the symptoms of

the disease that the patient has.

FALSE

It could potentially be a complete cure for that disease, for that individual.

2. Dr Russell strongly believes that some diseases will be completely cured in the near future.

1. true
2. false
3. NIT

3. Dr Liddell is concerned genome editing will allow for some sort of post human race design.

1. true
2. false
3. NIT

Dr Liddell is concerned genome editing will allow for some

sort of post human race design.

NIT

She herself may not necessarily be concerned, but it does

top most people’s lists of issues to be concerned with.

4. Dr Russell predicts we might even have readily available donor parts made from synthetic tissue.

1. true
2. false
3. NIT

Ex. 2

Read the introduction to The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson. Answer the questions.

a Are these statements true or false? Correct the false statements.

1. Jennifer Doudna and her team developed the CRISPR method at the same time as the Corona virus outbreak.

1. true
2. false

Jennifer Doudna and her team developed the CRISPR method at the same time as the Corona virus outbreak.

FALSE

They developed this tool in 2012. When Corona virus broke out,

Jennifer led a virus-fighting team.

2. Her co-workers had to cancel their travel plans.

1. true
2. false

 Her co-workers had to cancel their travel plans.

FALSE

Nobody had travel plans because of the pandemic and

correlated travel ban.

3. Jennifer Doudna created the first designer baby.

1. true
2. false

Jennifer Doudna created the first designer baby. 

FALSE

A young Chinese scientist did so. (His name is He Jiankui.)

b Reread the underlined paragraph that discusses the ethical questions that arise when gene editing is performed. 

Which of these is acceptable when it comes to gene editing? Tick the box that you think applies.

Should we use gene editing to ...
make us less susceptible to deadly viruses?

Ethically acceptable

Ethically unacceptable

I don’t know

Should we use gene editing to ...
eliminate dreaded disorders, such as Huntington's, sickle-cell anaemia, and cystic fibrosis?

Ethically acceptable

Ethically unacceptable

I don’t know

Should we use gene editing to ...
cure deafness or blindness?

Ethically acceptable

Ethically unacceptable

I don’t know

Should we use gene editing to ...
help people who are short?

Ethically acceptable

Ethically unacceptable

I don’t know

Should we use gene editing to ...
help people who are depressed?

Ethically acceptable

Ethically unacceptable

I don’t know

Should we use gene editing to ...
enhance the IQ and muscles of children?

Ethically acceptable

Ethically unacceptable

I don’t know

Should we use gene editing to ...
let parents decide eye colour? Skin colour? Height?

Ethically acceptable

Ethically unacceptable

I don’t know

c Discuss these questions with a partner. Afterwards, report back to the class.