What’s baked into your DNA? In this lesson, students will learn about medical advancements relating to DNA and the advantages and possible disadvantages that are associated with trying to alter it. This lesson features a video that discusses genome editing and a tool called CRISPR. Students will learn and practice making predictions and vocabulary relating to this topic. The lesson includes plenty of engaging discussion activities and worksheets that have been developed for adult and teenage learners.

Lesson Objectives

Grammar: Students will learn and review how to make predictions using modal verbs and other expressions. They will practice forming sentences that speculate about the future, focusing on possibilities and likelihoods related to genetic advancements.

Listening: Students will enhance their listening skills by engaging with a video about CRISPR technology. They will listen for detailed explanations about how genome editing works and its potential impacts on medicine and society.

Speaking: Through discussions and debates, students will articulate their views on the ethical implications of genome editing. They will use newly learned vocabulary and grammatical structures to express their opinions on topics such as designer babies, medical enhancements, and the potential to alter human capabilities.

Vocabulary: The lesson will introduce vocabulary related to genetics and biotechnology, such as "genome," "CRISPR," "mutation," and "gene editing." Students will learn to use these terms to discuss complex topics in biomedicine and genetic engineering.

Homework: Students will complete exercises that reinforce their understanding of making predictions and using relevant vocabulary. They will fill in blanks, match sentence beginnings to their endings related to genetic topics, and apply vocabulary to discuss hypothetical scenarios about the future of genetic technologies.

Video

Have you ever wanted to change your eye color or cure cancer? CRISPR is a revolutionary gene-editing technology that can change a person’s genetic makeup. Watch this video that details what CRISPR can do to improve or even save lives.