Brave New World is set in a future version of a. London b. New York c. Paris
The real historical person who is a religious figure in Brave New World‘s World State is a. Winston Churchill b. Henry Ford c. H. G. Wells
Brave New World began as a parody of a. science fiction b. pulp fiction c. utopian fiction
Discussion/essay questions
It is often said that dystopian books “predict the future.” People have claimed this about Brave New World, as well as other dystopian novels like Nineteen Eighty–Four and The Handmaid’s Tale. Why do you think this is? Have you read any older dystopian books that feel very important now? Have you read any newer dystopian books that you think will become important in the future?
Transcript
Brave New World is a 1932 novel by English writer Aldous Huxley. The novel is set in a version of London, England in a future dystopian society called the World State. In the World State, the businessman Henry Ford has become a religious figure. The World State tries to keep its citizens happy with technology and drugs. It uses cloning technology to produce children. These children are genetically selected for a specific class and role within society. Huxley’s work was influenced by the genre of utopian fiction, which was very popular at the time. Many utopian novels described futures where technology had solved all human problems. Huxley thought this was an impossible and even dangerous idea. Brave New World began specifically as a parody of the utopian novels of H. G. Wells. Early reviews of Brave New World were often negative. Readers at the time thought it was disturbing and pessimistic. Over time, it became a classic of dystopian fiction, especially as technology grew and changed.
Fingerprints develop a. when DNA first forms b. in the womb, while skin is still growing c. a few days after birth
To change your fingerprint, you would need to damage a layer of skin called a. the epidermis b. the dermis c. the hypodermis
A very small percentage of people a. have matching fingerprints b. have fingerprints that change naturally c. have no fingerprints
Discussion/essay questions
Many cell phones now allow people to use their fingerprints to secure their personal information. Some people find this concerning. Unlike a password, it is very difficult to change your fingerprint. Do you think it is a good idea to secure your information with a fingerprint? Why or why not?
Transcript
Unlike most physical features, fingerprints are not genetic. The patterns on our fingers develop in the womb, while skin is still growing. For this reason, no two people have the same fingerprints, even identical twins. The ridges of a fingerprint are the same through multiple layers of skin. This is why fingerprints stay the same after cuts or scrapes heal. To permanently change your fingerprint, you would need to destroy all of the skin’s outer layers and damage the inner layer, which is called the dermis. Since the early 20th century, many law enforcement agencies have used fingerprints to identify people. They are more accurate than earlier identification techniques, such as measuring body proportions. However, fingerprints are not a foolproof way to find someone. Some diseases and medications can cause people to lose their fingerprints. A very small percentage of people are even born without them. This can make it difficult to get legal documents, enter different countries, and apply for certain jobs.
Tetrachromacy causes people to a. be more sensitive to blue light b. see perfectly in the dark c. distinguish more colours than the average person
Tetrachromacy has only been found in a. women b. young children c. artists
Scientists test for tetrachromacy by a. taking a DNA sample b. observing a person’s reactions to bright light c. asking a person to sort nearly identical colours
Discussion/essay questions
Do you think you see colours the same way as other people? Is this possible for us to know?
Transcript
Tetrachromacy is a rare genetic condition that causes some people to see more colours than usual. Most people have three types of cones in their eyes, which are sensitive to red, green, and blue light. However, tetrachromats have four. This allows them to see millions of colours that the average person can’t distinguish. So far, very few true tetrachromats have been identified, and all of them are female. This is because the gene for an extra cone is found on the X chromosome. If men experience the same mutation, they are likely to become colourblind instead. Scientists test for tetrachromacy by asking people to sort nearly identical colours by similarity. The average person will likely change their answer, but a tetrachromat will always sort these colours the same way.
The article says that many people have ethical concerns about the consequences of human cloning. What do you think some of those concerns might be?
Do you think human cloning should be legal? Why or why not?
Transcript
Cloning is the process of creating a genetically identical copy of an organism. Researchers have been experimenting with cloning since the 1900s, when they attempted to create genetic copies of animal embryos. As technology became more advanced, it became possible to make clones of fully-grown creatures. The first successful cloning of an adult organism was in 1996, when a British research group managed to produce a cloned sheep. The sheep’s name was Dolly, and she lived for six years. Scientists have since managed to clone many other types of animals. In fact, there are now companies that offer expensive pet cloning services. The idea of human cloning has come up in scientific discussions, but many people have ethical concerns about the consequences. Because of this, human cloning is illegal in several countries.