After watching the video answer the following questions.

1. What is Newsela?

2. How could Newsela benefit your students?

3. What are some pros / cons of Newsela?

Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

Anchor 8 : Arguments & Claims

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.

Biology Standards

CLE 3210.4.7 Assess the scientific and ethical ramifications of emerging genetic technologies.

SPI 3210.4.9 Evaluate the scientific and ethical issues associated with gene technologies: genetic engineering, cloning, transgenic organism production, stem cell research, and DNA fingerprinting.

Anatomy Standards

CLE 3251.Inq.1 Recognize that science is a progressive endeavor that reevaluates and extends what is already accepted.
 

1.)    Gene therapy, which includes the correction of defectives genes, is a significant part of the human genome project. Which of these is an application of the technique?

a.       A new protein, which can repair defective genes, is injected.

b.       Mutated DNA sequences, which can pair with existing genes, are introduced.

c.       The DNA sequences of the entire genomes of disease-causing microbes are compared.

d.       A new gene, which codes for the protein that can repair defective genes, is introduced.

2.)    New technologies have been developed that enable DNA to be intentionally changed in ways that do not occur under natural conditions. What would be a specific benefit as a result of using this new technology?

a.       The creation of a super race of humans

b.       A disease in recessive form could be introduced 

c.       Genetic diversity could be reduced

d.       Healing the sick and eliminating awful disorders

3.)     If we are able to save future generations from illnesses through gene editing, what would be a realistic disadvantage upon using this technology?

a.      A super human race could be created.

b.      Genetic diversity could be reduced.

c.       The world would end suddenly due to over-population.

d.      Genetic diversity could be increased.

4.)    Who do you think should not be able to engineer the better baby?

a.       Infertile couples

b.       Poor people with sick children

c.       Rich people who want super children

d.       No one should be able to engineer a better baby

READING STANDARDS: Craft and Structure – Standard #5 R.CS.5

11-12.RI.CS.5 Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her own exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.

READING STANDARDS: Craft and Structure – Standard #6 R.CS.6

11-12.RI.CS.6 Determine an author’s point of view and/or purpose in a text, analyzing how style and content contribute to its effectiveness.

Questions to answer:
1. Arthur Caplan’s purpose in this article is 

    A. To raise awareness about the progress being made regarding human genetic modification.

    B. To argue that debating the issue is a waste of time, and we should focus on how to respond to the inevitable changes that are approaching.

    C.To make the public aware of the concerns that the practice is unsafe and unfair, and it could be used to for unintended purposes.

    D.To clarify the disparities between economic classes in education and health care.

2. Caplan’s use of “essentially a very sharp molecular knife” is an example of

    A. Hyperbole.

    B. Metaphor.

    C. Simile

    D. Juxtaposition.

3. Caplan’s structure is primarily

    A. Deductive reasoning that leads the reader to the only possible solution.

    B. Inductive reasoning that starts with genetic engineering and leads the reader to conclusions about a wide range of topics including health care, education, and economics.

    C. Prioritized exemplification that moves from most important to least important concerns.

    D. A pattern of refutation/concession through which Caplan acknowledges then disputes the leading arguments against human genetic engineering.

4. Which evidence is the best example of Caplan’s structure?

    A. Likewise, as valid an ethical concern as fairness may be, it has never held back the advancement of technology.

   B.The world is plagued with hereditary diseases that cause real misery.

    C.The same technology that can be used to eliminate hereditary diseases can undoubtedly be used to try to build genetically enhanced children.

    D.Yes, the benefits of CRISPR are likely to be made available through private, profit-seeking companies, giving the rich far better access to technology than the poor.

    E. (A and D)

    F. (B and C)

    G. (A and C)