Tag: science

Gene Editing for Cancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cancer is undoubtedly one of the worst diseases one can ever be so unfortunate to contract.

In the US, doctors have started using gene editing to help cancer patients with their bouts with this dreadful disease.

Listen to the podcast and find out more about gene editing and how it can help fight cancer.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/doctors-report-first-us-tests-of-gene-editing-for-cancer/5158217.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this breakthrough?
  2. What other ways to treat cancer do you know of?
  3. How prevalent do you think the incidence of cancer is in your country?
  4. Why do you think more and more people contract cancer?
  5. What might be the reasons we haven’t discovered an effective treatment for cancer?

The Mysterious Science of Pain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every painful sensation is coming from our brains and there is no pain without the brain. Does that mean can we think the pain away? Just how much power does the mind have over pain?

These are the biological and psychological factors that influence how we experience pain and how our nervous system reacts to harmful stimuli.

Watch the video to know more:

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you deal with pain?

2. What unbearable physical pain have you experienced?

3. Do you try not to focus and try to just keep trying various things to numb the pain?

4. What pain management techniques do you know of?

5. Have you consulted a pain specialist before?

Effects of Growing a Beard

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Beards are in.  Beards have fascinating history that evolved into something more socially acceptable.

Find out about the scientific effects when men grow a beard.

Discussion Questions:
1. What are the 7 scientific effects that happen when a man grows a beard?
2. Is growing a beard good or bad?
3. How is growing a beard viewed in your country? In workplaces?
4. Do you agree that men with beards are generally regarded as more masculine, dominant, and socially mature?

Three-Parent Baby

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The joy of having a child is immeasurable and it is what most couples look forward to. However, there are situations when couples could not possibly have a normal and healthy offspring due to the genetic disorder of one of the would-be parents. Science has found the answer, but are parents willing to replace their genes with another person’s to conceive a healthy child?

Let’s learn more about the three-parent baby.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-150402

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the three-parent baby work?

2. Why is there a need for a three-parent baby technique?

3. What is your stand on this issue? Do you think it is morally acceptable to undergo this process?

Aging Cure

C1 – Advanced

Aging is inevitable and is associated with changes in our biological, physiological, and behavioral being. Scientists are doing their best to unravel all aging mysteries to come up with an antidote. If scientists discovered a cure for aging, would you take it?

Let’s watch the video to check the discoveries that might benefit us:

Discussion Questions:

1. What 3 tools are scientists experimenting with?
2. Do you think humans will ever be able to stop aging?
3. Would you volunteer for a trial?
4. How long do you want to live?
5. How are senior citizens viewed in your country?

Historic Landing on the Dark Side of the Moon

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The first country to successfully launch a probe on the dark side of the moon that is never visible from the earth is China. The moon has been one of the subjects of human research and explorations for centuries. How will this great technological feat impact our space explorations in the future?

Read on to find out more about China’s successful moon mission.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1901/190107-dark-side-of-the-moon.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the things that you know about the moon?
  2. How big of an achievement do you think this is?
  3. What are the pros and cons of creating settlements on the moon?
  4. What do you think the future of space exploration will be?
  5. How interesting is the idea of settling in outer space for you?

What Would Happen If the Earth Stopped Spinning?

C1 – Advanced

The earth rotates at 1,000 miles per hour. Can you imagine what might occur if the earth were to slow down or stop spinning altogether?

Watch this video to find out what scientists think would happen in the event that our planet suddenly stands still.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the video in your own words.

2. What does tidal locking mean? What will happen if earth gets locked to the sun?

3. What are your thoughts about this scenario? Do you think it is likely to happen?

4. In general, what do you think about the universe?

How Do Vampire Bats Survive on Blood?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever wondered how vampire bats live? Scientists have recently discovered how these “flying mice” can survive on a blood-only diet.

Watch the video to find out more about these creatures and also learn some vocabulary associated with their “bloody” lifestyle.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the video, how do vampire bats live only on blood?

2. What comes to mind when you hear the words “vampire”, “bats” and “blood”?

3. Do you know of any vampire legends/folk stories from your country? Tell us about them.

Cryogenic Freezing

C1 – Advanced

Cryogenic freezing is a technique used to store a person’s body at an extremely low temperature with the hope of one day reviving it. If someone has died from a disease or condition that is currently incurable, they can be “frozen” and then revived in the future when a cure has been discovered. This technique is already being performed today, but the technology behind it is still in its infancy.

The idea of preserving a person’s body at very low temperatures in the hope that it will be restored by future medical technology has been a staple of science fiction. But could cryonics be a genuine way of being brought back to life years into the future?

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, how is the cryonic process performed?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of cryogenic freezing?
  3. How do you feel about cryogenic freezing?
  4. Would you undergo such process in the hope of finding a cure to your incurable disease?

Designer Babies

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A designer baby is one whose genetic makeup has been selected in order to get a particular trait or remove a particular defect in the baby’s gene. It has become an increasingly popular procedure since it helps couples with infertility-related issues. The practice pre-selects before implantation. This procedure allows couples to screen viable embryos for various genetic traits, such as potential diseases the embryo could have and other traits that the embryo would likely attain before implanting them into the mother’s womb.

Since this has been created, it has caused uproar throughout the scientific community as to whether it is an ethical procedure or not. There are many questions that have been brought up, but these are very difficult to answer. Should there be designers babies?

Watch the video and be ready to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Designer Babies?
  2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of pre-implantation genetic screening?
  3. Would you be willing to undergo this procedure? Why or why not?