​Genetic Engineering

 

Picture: Most GMO crops are RoundUp-ready

You attend a biotechnology symposium. A panel of speakers plans to discuss the future of gene manipulation in various life sciences fields. You have been asked to introduce this panel. In this 4-5 minute speech,:

·       Explain what  a clone is.

• ·       Discuss the potential of genetic modification in research, agriculture, and medicine. Provide some real world examples to introduce the topic.

• ·       Explain how genetic engineering could become more significant in the future with new technology like CRISPR or gene therapy.

• ·       Suggest possible ethical questions in the area of genetic modification/genetic engineering.

Following the presentation, you and a bioethicist at the convention visit the bar. After a few drinks, you get into a lively debate about the use of GMOs in medicine and agriculture, and you do not agree on this topic. Provide opposing perspectives about

• ·       The ethics of creating and copyrighting organisms for research or agriculture

• ·       Analyze how GM crops could help or hurt food production and global nutrition

• ·       Discuss the potential of gene therapy and new technologies like CRISPR

• ·       Suggest what limits should exist on genetic modification

 

Related videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIM38NlkWEo – overview; includes insulin example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZZH7mJ9ono – the Oncomouse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayv_EYi43E8 – golden rice (slightly longer, but a very interesting use of GMO in agriculture not for pesticide/herbicide)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sweN8d4_MUg – longer video, CRISPR explained in 5 levels of difficulty (1-3 could be useful, 4-5 useful after if students want to listen in English about this topic)

 

Advertising

 

The Egg Scrambler

         

 Lego Friends

 

 Obvious product placement examples

 

 Flat Matthew (Superbowl 2021)

 

Dodge Charger (Superbowl 2010)

 

Watch some ads and pay attention to: 

 

-          What are they advertising?

-     Who is the target audience, and how do you know?

-     What marketing techniques do you recognize?

 

Grammar & Listening

 

Grammar 

Grammar Exercises 😎

Error File  👍

Good, better, perfect! p.94.ff

 

Listening 

Listening EASY😊

Listening INTERMEDIATE 😉

Listening DIFFICULT 😜

Milk Production/ How Butter is Made

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmNzUEmFZMg

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwb2uZLSLhw&t=28s
 

 https://www.statistik.at/web_en/statistics/Economy/agriculture_and_forestry/livestock_animal_production/milk/index.html

 

 

 Talking activity: 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QftuC3IrFCE
 

 

·    Give a short interpretation of these cartoons above. Analyse the present situation of milk and beef production in Austria.

 ·       You have applied for a very interesting and profitable job in the US- milk business. You have been invited to a job interview. You have the best chances to get the job. Sitting there, you are asked to give a short introduction to the milk production in Europe. What about organic farming in the USA?

 ·       With farming in Austria, which problems and future perspectives do you see? Do you see chances for Austrian small structured farming, when the subsidies from the EU are cut?