Explore a variety of recent biotechnology developments and the ethical issues associated with them. Consider their impact on society. Make the presentation of your report

(see: Giving a presentation -http://www.bmstu.ru/ps/~sunnymood77/fileman/download/for%20Master's%20Degree%20Students/Presentation%20phrasebook.pdf )

Result:by the end of this activity, you should be able to:

• define biotechnology

• identify a range of recent biotechnology developments around the world

• discuss current or potential positive and negative impacts of recent biotechnologies on society

• understand that biotechnologies can impact differently on different groups of people.

What you need:

• A selection of images of different technologies

• A selection of articles on biotechnologies

• Definitions of biotechnology

Introduction:

There are numerous definitions of the term ‘biotechnology’. In some countries, the definition is broader and includes examples of both ancient and modern biotechnologies. Others have different views on it.

Biotechnology is a rapidly growing industry both in Russia and throughout the world. In Russia, research and development in this area has increased employment opportunities with huge benefits for our economy.

Biotechnologies are often controversial because they involve using organisms or parts of organisms to make products. This raises many social and ethical issues, and people have many different views of what is acceptable and how new biotechnology developments may impact on people and the environment in the future. Public debate about biotechnology often features in the media, and it is important for people to develop their own informed view about potential impacts and acceptability.

The predominant view of what is acceptable in one country is often different in another country, and consequently, government policy and legislation varies. This impacts on progress in research and development in different countries and also on implementation, making some biotechnology developments accessible in some countries and not in others.

Resources you may use for getting information:

1. Ethical issues and risk assessment in biotechnology-

http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/96/07/biot_ch4.html

2. Biotechnology-Wikipedia - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biotechnology

3. Key issues in biotechnology - http://unctad.org/en/Docs/poitetebd10.en.pdf

UNIT 4. YOUR FUTURE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

WARM-UP

4.1. Before you read the text, discuss the following questions in pairs:

1. What do biologists do?

2. What university biology programs do you know?

3. What fields of biology do you know?

4. What is your job outlook for the future?