EnglishClub : Listen to News : Chinese Scientist Faces Backlash Over Gene-Editing
photo Tara Benwell Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.

dateline: 28 November 2018

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Chinese Scientist Faces Backlash Over Gene-Editing

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • face: to receive an uncomfortable situation
  • backlash: a negative response
  • gene: an inherited part of the DNA of a cell (e.g., eye colour)
  • embryo: an early stage of development of an organism
  • unethical: morally wrong; unacceptable
  • monitor: to watch for changes

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Chinese Scientist Faces Backlash Over Gene-Editing

A Chinese university is denying any involvement with a who has claimed to have genetically modified the DNA of twin girls. He Jiankui says he edited the genes of the twin embryos to prevent them from contracting HIV. Gene-editing of embryos is in many countries, including China, and many scientists consider it unethical due to the of harming the individual and future generations. He Jiankui said the health of both children would be monitored over the next 18 years and admitted that another involving a third embryo was in its early stages.

Comprehension Questions

  1. What is the report mainly about?
  2. How do many scientists feel about this experimental technique?
  3. What did He Jiankui say about the future of the twins?

Discussion Question

In your opinion, is gene-editing unethical? Why or why not?

show Answers

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Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
© EnglishClub.com
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Teacher's Notes

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7 comments

  • Zairatap says:

    Работа в интернете

  • Alaa says:

    Teacher Tara,
    As I’m a science graduate , this oudio was so easy for me. This way is brilliant and my English really improved every day
    Thank you

  • Richard says:

    The manipulation of human genes bring various considerations. First of all, we can’t see all picture of our actions. Whether many medications, which are very tested along the years feature colateral damages, I wonder what the manipulation of genes can do. Besides, shit happens and that’s can be the start of the end of the mankind.(Yeah, I’m very tragic. LOL)

  • Bijan says:

    Oh!
    Teacher Tara!

    This week’s audio news is so harder than the last week. I could hear some your words clearly, but couldn’t understand the subject completely and also couldn’t fill in the blanks except one word “scientist”.

    Of course, I understood the subject after reading the text carefully.

    The subject is so interesting and it’s appreciated to prevent the embryos from contracting HIV.

    In addition, he JianKui said that the health of the twins would be monitored for the next 18 years.

    Teacher Tara,
    Thanks to you and English Club for doing the best for the learners.

    Best wishes and have a nice week in Nice Canada,
    Bijan from the Persian Gulf

  • shamsy says:

    this news shows, this way has been used for preventing the embryos from contracting HIV.apparantly it is interesting and a very good way to save twin girls, but maybe after many years, the scientists would have other ideas about the advantages or disadvantages of it.
    thank you, dear Tara.

  • imi says:

    All kinds of scientific achievements have two folds negative and positive it depends on who is going to use it in the future. Manipulating of nature in any forms may not acceptable in the eyes of religious people such as genie

  • BISANUKURI says:

    I like this online English club , My English is improving.

    Thank you

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