First steps in biotechnology. Первые шаги в биотехнологии

1. Work in pairs and answer the question:

Prepare

 Why is biotechnology important?

2. Work in pairs. Decide which of the sentences (1-10) describe the ad-

vantages of biotechnological science and which describe the disad-

vantages.

1 Although biotechnology will generate many new and valuable chemicals,

some chemicals with unknown or damaging environmental impacts are

likely to be developed.

2 Application of biotechnology to medicine includes the designing of or-

ganisms to produce antibiotics, and the engineering of genetic cures

through genomic manipulation.

3 The Development of genetically modified crops or domestic livestock

could reduce genetic variety among both domesticated and wild species.

4 A genetically engineered bacterium produces vast quantities of synthetic

human insulin at relatively low cost.

5 The biotechnology industry has also been instrumental in developing

molecular diagnostic devices that can be used to define the target patient

population for a given biopharmaceutical.

6 By using computer-generated images of complex molecules such as pro-

teins, the underlying mechanisms and pathways of a malady can be better

understood and targeted.

7 Reproductive cloning could create "Frankensteins" or result in eugenic

practices.

8 Exposure of wild species to genetically modified crops or domestic live-

stock could cause "super species" to evolve with resistance to pesticides,

herbicides, or fungicides.

9 Private insurers, employers, and governmental entities are more likely to

discriminate against people who have genetic or medical anomalies, espe-

cially if such information is available in databases

10 Biotechnology lets improve cleanup of toxic spills, improve yields of

fisheries, etc.