全新版大学英语综合教程第三册教案 Unit 8

Unit 8Cloning

Ⅰ. Suggested Teaching Plan

Students will be able to:

1.understand the main idea (cloning is a two-edged sword) and structure of the text;

2.appreciate the writing strategies employed by the author;

3.master the key language points and grammatical structures in the text;

4.

conduct a series of reading, listening, speaking and writing activities related to the theme of the unit.

1. T asks Ss the following questions on the recorded interview: (5 minutes)

—What does Prof. Greely think of human cloning? (We must distinguish different types of human cloning. Some are justified; others are not.)

—What is the greatest problem with human reproductive cloning? (safety)

2. Out-of-class research project (30 minutes)

1) The research project should be assigned at the end of the last unit. Ss form groups to use library

resources and Internet resources to get answers to the following questions:

—What is cloning?

—Give a brief history of the scientific research into cloning.

—What are the major pros and cons of human cloning?

—During your research, what new vocabulary items have you come across that are related to cloning?

2) Groups report to class. To save time and give presentation opportunities to more groups, no one

group need answer all the questions. A group member may write down new vocabulary items (in both English and Chinese) on the blackboard while another member is presenting.

3. T may lead in to the text by saying: By now many of you may have already formed your own idea about human cloning, but let’s refrain from opinions for the moment. The author of Text A is a science reporter. Like a good journalist, let’s first make the facts clear. (2 minutes)

1. Learning about writing strategy (25 minutes)

1)Ss read Writing Strategy in this unit.

2)Ss do the after-text structure exercise on “It is true ..., but...” and “True ..., but...”, so that they

realize this is one form of concession.

3)T reminds Ss that this is a piece of journalistic writing, the author of which must refrain from

passing judgment. He / She concedes to achieve objectivity.

4)Ss find other examples of balanced, objective writing, (see Text Analysis)

2.T guides Ss through some after-text exercises. (35 minutes)

3.T checks on Ss’ home re ading (Text B). (3 minutes)

4.Ss do Part IV: Theme-Related Language Learning Tasks. (1 period)

Ⅱ.Text Analysis

This text has some features in common with Text A, Unit 7: an eye-catching introduction and objectivity.

The text starts with the birth of Dolly, because it is a critical point in cloning research. Reader interest is further aroused by the low-key tone. Why no excitement, why no champagne, why were few people around? Readers are then ready to be told an objective account about human cloning.

The “father” of Dolly is level-headed about his achievement, so is the author. She quotes Wilmut and Oppenheimer to show how science can be a double-edged sword. Before listing the many benefits of human cloning in Part IV, she first identifies the ethical problems involved in Part III. In her article she asks many questions, to which she gives no answer. If she said that there were definite answers, she would not be objective.

However, compared with Text A, Unit 7, the word choice is more elaborate; sentences and paragraphs grow longer and more complex. After all, this is about science and ethics!

Ⅲ. Cultural Notes

1. clone: a group of organisms or cells that are genetically identical, having been produced from one parent by asexual reproduction. The individual organisms or cells are precise copies of the parent and genetically identical to it. Clones are found naturally among single-celled organisms (such as bacteria), a few invertebrates (such as corals), and some asexually reproducing plants (as in the production of runners by a strawberry plant). In agriculture, plant cloning can be used to advantage, in that individuals with desirable properties, such as pest-resistance or high growth rates, can be replicated exactly without the unpredictable results associated with sexual reproduction. Artificial cloning of animals and cells can be achieved by teasing apart the cells of the early embryo. Similarly, cells capable of growing into mature plants can be obtained from plant growth-regions (meristems).

In genetic engineering cloning refers to the copying of DNA molecules.

2. genetic engineering: the deliberate modification of the genetic make-up (genome) of an organism by manipulation of its DNA. Genetic engineering techniques include cell fusion and the use of recombinant DNA (rDNA). Since the late 1960s these techniques have held out the most exciting promise for biotechnology.

In such a new field controversy inevitably abounds. Worries concerning release of genetically novel bacteria into the environment, or the possible manipulation of human embryos, have led to the setting up in the USA of the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Group (GMAG). Legislation governing genetic research has also been passed in several other countries.

3. Narcissus (in Greek mythology): a beautiful youth who spurned the love of the nymph Echo and in punishment was made to fall in love with his own reflection; he pined away gazing at himself in a

pool and at his death was changed into the flower bearing his name narcissus.

4. Prometheus: in Greek mythology, a Titan who made the first man from clay and stole fire from the

gods to give to mankind. In revenge for the theft, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock, where his liver was eaten every day by an eagle, only to grow again every night. Hercules eventually rescued him.

Prometheus has been seen as a symbol of freedom, rebellion against tyranny, and of creative imagination.

5. Oppenheimer, (Julius) Robert (1904-1967): US physicist. He was appointed in 1942 as Director of the Manhattan Project, the secret project to develop the atomic bomb in the USA during World War II, based at Los Alamos, New Mexico, which in 1945 made the first atomic bomb. In 1953, at the height of the witch-hunting campaign led by the US Senator Joseph McCarthy, Oppenheimer was excluded from sensitive research on the grounds that he had Communist sympathies, but subsequently (1963) he was unreservedly rehabilitated.

6. Hiroshima: Japanese city in southern Honshu. Hitherto largely undamaged by the US bombing campaign, Hiroshima became the target of the first atomic bomb attack on 6 August 1945, which resulted in the virtual obliteration of the city centre and the deaths of about one-third of the population of 300,000. The attack on Hiroshima, together with that on Nagasaki three days later, helped bring about Japan’s unconditional surrender and the end of World War II.

7. Nagasaki: Japanese city in Kyushu. On 9 August 1945, three days after the first atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, Nagasaki became the next target. The hilly terrain protected the population of 230,000 from the full effects of the explosion, but 40,000 people were killed and tremendous destruction caused. On the following day Japan offered to surrender and the ceasefire began on 15 August, the official surrender finally being signed on 2 September.

Ⅳ. Language Study

1. clone: any of a group of plants or animals produced from the cells of a single ancestor and therefore

exactly the same as it is

Examples: Researchers produced clones from adult mice in 1998.

Although two clones are identical genetically, they may develop in different ways.

v.

Examples: Researchers in Japan have cloned eight calves from the cells of a single adult cow.

The idea of cloning extinct life forms still belongs to science fiction.

Experiments to try to clone human embryos have met with hostility from some sections

of the public.

2. give birth to: 1) bear (a child), bring forth

Examples: Although a mother panda often gives birth to two cubs, she usually abandons one of them without attempting to care for it

The research has shown that mothers who smoke give birth more frequently to premature

or underweight babies.

2) create, originate

Examples: The extraordinary experience gave birth to his latest novel.

Einstein gave birth to a whole new way of looking at matter and energy.

3. for all the world: in every respect; exactly

Examples: I felt for all the world as if I was still a child.

He looked for all the world like a country doctor.

4.dot: spread things or people in various separate places over an area

Examples: From the top floor we could see the trees dotting the landscape.

The sky was dotted with stars. n. a small round mark

Examples: He forgot the dot on the letter i and so it looked like an 1.

The stars just look like thousands of tiny dots of light.

5. union: a uniting or being united; combination; an organization of workers from a particular profession,

an association or club

Examples: Marriage is a socially recognized and approved union between individuals.

Labor unions bargained with employers to determine issues such as wages, conditions of

work, and worker security.

6. fuse: (cause to) join together (followed by with)

Examples: Nearly 50 percent of the cumulus cells that successfully fused with an egg developed into an advanced embryo.

Genes determine how we develop from the moment the sperm fuses with the egg.

7. gene: a unit in a chromosome which controls inherited characteristics

Examples: Genetics is the study of the function and behavior of genes.

The Human Genome Project has so far identified nearly all of the estimated 31,000 genes in

the nucleus of a human cell.

The DNA is divided into units called genes, just like a long train is divided into separate

cars.

8. take up: go and live; move into (a certain position)

Examples: The hunter took up his quarters in a hut.

As the crowd grew, riot police took up their positions.

UN peacekeeping forces are expected to take up positions along the Afghanistan border.

9. residence: the fact of living in a particular place

Examples: He took up his permanent residence in China.

Campus residence halls provide common settings for students to form new bonds with peers

who share similar experiences.

More immigrants were admitted to the United States for permanent residence in recent

years.

10. identical: exactly alike or equal; the very same (followed by to )

Examples: The j ournalist David Rorvik wrote a true story of a billionaire’s quest to produce a son identical to himself.

Although Euro bills are identical in all countries, each country can issue its own coins. 11. twin: persons who have the same mother and were born on the same day

Examples: The two boys looked like twins.

He has a twin brother and a younger brother.

Unlike my friend, I think there are many positive aspects to being a twin.

12. beforehand: in advance; earlier

Examples: Catherine got married without telling anyone beforehand.

Mum had done most of the cooking beforehand, so we weren’t tied to the kitchen.

13. oppose: express strong disapproval with the aim of preventing or changing a course of action; resist

Examples: My father opposed my wish to become a musician.

The local residents strongly opposed the chemical companies dumping their waste in the sea.

be opposed to: be against

Examples: We are utterly opposed to any form of terrorism.

They are strongly opposed to the presence of American troops in this region.

14. theoretical: concerned with the theory of a subject; based on theory

Examples: Information theory is primarily a theoretical study.

With his brilliant theoretical work, Albert Einstein revolutionized 20th-century physics.

Aristotle defined the basic concepts and principles of many of the theoretical sciences,

such as logic, biology and physics.

15. in principle: as far as basic principles are concerned

Examples: In principle, clones may even be essentially immortal, dying only from disease or the deterioration of the environment.

In principle, Quantum theory could be used to predict the behavior of any physical, chemical,

or biological system.

16. offensive: causing sb. to feel upset, insulted or annoyed

Examples: Minority groups are protected from hateful and offensive speech and actions on campus.

The document did not appear to contain any offensive statements.

17. compromise: a settlement in which each side gives up some demands

Examples: In order to reduce carbon monoxide emissions from motor vehicles but at the same time develop the industry, a compromise was reached.

The two countries continued to have difficulties reaching a compromise on a solution to the

problem of acid rain.

v. (used in the patterns: compromise with sb. over sth., compromise on sth.)

Examples: The government has compromised with its critics over monetary policies.

Israel had originally wanted $1 billion in aid, but compromised on the $650 million.

18. potential: the possibility of sth. happening or being developed

Examples: The potential for abuse of genetic engineering has presented society with many ethical and legal controversies. The best single indicator of a state’s great-power potential may be

its total Gross

Domestic Product (GDP). V olcanoes have the potential t o create some of the planet’s most

formidable natural disasters.

a.that can, but has not yet, come into being; possible

Examples: In large cities with a million or more potential customers, there are much larger clothing stores with many more choices of items and styles.

In the article Wilmut discussed potential medical uses for cloning, and ethical issues

surrounding cloning technology.

Scientists can only speculate on the potential impact of the depletion of the ozone layer. 19. tolerate: allow (sth.) that one does not like to happen or continue; put up with

Examples: College president sent letters to every student saying that drugs on campus would not be tolerated.tolerated.

Teachers will not tolerate cheating on exams, just as parents will not let their children lie and

get away with it.

20. ancient: belonging to times that are long past

Examples: Furniture designs have reflected the fashion of every era from ancient times to the present.

Hebrew is an ancient language that became extinct, but has now been brought back to life

and is spoken today.

21. catalog: (also catalogue) a complete list of items

Examples: Users outside the library can access millions of bibliographic records, including the entire card catalog, through the Internet.

Dell sells its products directly to customers through the Internet and mail order catalogs

rather than through retail outlets.

22. terrify: make (sb.) very frightened

Examples: Flying has terrified some people since the terrorists attack on the World Trade Center.

The gunman’s threats terrified her into handing over the money.

23. normally: under normal circumstances; ordinarily

Examples: During 26 years of research on sharks I have found them to be normally unaggressive and even timid toward man.

Greatly affected by El Nino, areas that are normally wet, such as Indonesia, the

Philippines, and eastern Australia have experienced drought.

24. mixture: a combination of two or more things or styles

Examples: A mixture of cultures from around the world is reflected in the street festivals and ethnic celebrations in New Y ork City.

Offspring receive a mixture of genetic information from both parents. Smog, a mixture of

smoke and fog, irritates the eyes, throat, and lungs and also damages plants.

25. brilliant: very intelligent; extremely clever

Examples: With his brilliant theoretical work, Albert Einstein revolutionized 20 -century physics.

It was his brilliant performance in Hamlet that established his reputation.

The Hubble telescope is a brilliant new device that allows us to peer far more deeply into the

heavens.

26. inherit: 1) have features or qualities from an ancestor

Examples: Although all humans share the same set of genes, individuals can inherit different forms of

a given gene, making each person genetically unique.

Deficiencies in immune function may be either inherited or acquired.

While people biologically inherit many physical traits and behavioral instincts, culture is

socially inherited.

2) receive (money, property, etc. of an ancestor)

Examples: He has no son to inherit his land.

Mary inherited the money from her parents.

27. comment: a written or spoken remark giving an opinion

Examples: He was making rude comments about her haircut.

There has been no comment so far from police about the bomb attack happening

yesterday,

v. (followed by on)

Examples: The president refused to comment on the issue of gun violence on campus.

The teacher commented on the fact that some students were absent for class.

28. genius: (a person who has) exceptionally great creative ability

Examples: Thomas Edison is considered a genius of invention.

From the age of three, she showed signs of genius.

29. atomic: concerning atoms or the energy released by them

Examples: On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.

As the atomic nuclei are fused together, an extraordinary amount of energy is released. 30. curiosity: a strong desire to know and learn (followed by about)

Examples: Science museums stimulate curiosity and allow people to learn at their own pace.

As a youth Einstein showed a brilliant curiosity about nature and an ability to understand

difficult mathematical concepts.

My daughter showed an enthusiasm and curiosity about Chinese history.

31. let loose: set free; release

Examples: D on’t let that dog loose in the yard, as it will terrify the kids.

Trainees will go through a four-hour lesson before they are let loose on the controls.

32. transplant: 1) remove tissue or an organ from one person or animal and put it into another

Examples: To repair injuries such as burns, skin is sometimes transplanted from one area of the body to another.another.

The operation to transplant a kidney is now fairly routine.

2) remove a growing plant with its roots and plant it elsewhere

Examples: Tea was transplanted from China to India and Sri Lanka.

The seedlings can be transplanted when they are about four inches tall.

n. transplant(ation)

Examples: In some instances, surgeons may perform a lung transplant to save a patient’s life.

Cloning may generate genetically modified animal organs that are suitable for transplantation

into humans.

Advances in organ transplantation have brought new hope to those afflicted with diseased

organs.

33. lash out at: make a sudden violent attack at with blows or words

Examples: He lashed out at them with his fists.

It seemed that he was going to lash out at the saleswoman, but he controlled himself.

34.immune: 1) protected against through the body’s natural resistance (followed by to )

Examples: The health of t he body is dependent on the immune system’s ability to recognize and then destroy bact destroy bacteria and viruses.

A healthy immune system protects the body against bacteria, viruses, and other harmful

agents.

It seemed for a while that infants were immune to Aids.

My brother seems to be immune to colds — he just never gets them.

2) not affected by sth. (followed by to)

Example: Football is not immune to economic recession.

35. merge: (cause to) combine

Examples: In the great melting pot like New Y ork City cultures are merged and traditions lost.

In the story he merged his mind with the robot’s and shared its thoughts.

The two colleges will be merged to form a university.

36. primitive: of or at an early stage of development

Examples: An examination of two fossils reveals that a primitive human species had arrived in Asia from Africa about 2 million years ago.

With the discovery in 1996 that primitive life may have flourished early in the history of Mars,

interest in exploring the planet increased.

The most commonly cited example of a primitive calculating device is the abacus.

37. start out: 1) intend when starting

Examples: They started out wanting a house, but eventually bought a flat.

Peter didn’t start out to apply for Yale University —it just happened that way.

2) begin

Examples: He started out in the personnel department: later he was transferred to the sales department.

She started out as a teacher and only began writing in his thirties.

38. grow into: become gradually as time passes

Examples: With the construction of the highways, the village is growing into a town.

She is growing into a beautiful young woman.

39. batch: the amount (of bread, etc.) produced at one baking; a number of things taken as a group; lot

Examples: The second batch of sugar was better than the first.

Harvard University biologist Dick Estes supplied a large batch of lion photographs taken

from 1963 to 1965.

The school authorities have laid down a great batch of rules and regulations.

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