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

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

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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