Synthetic Life | HTX Engelsk A | 30. maj 2011

This study guide will help you focus on the topic of synthetic life. We will show you examples from two texts that cover the topic and focus on the most significant elements that will be relevant for a discussion about synthetic life. In these notes, we will focus on outlines, the implications of creating synthetic life, and on the future effects the applications of synthetic life forms might have.

Exam question

This study guide is based on the written exam in English A on HTX from May 30, 2011:

A. Account

Account for the creation of artificial life at the J. Craig Venter Institute. (About 300 words)

B1. Essay

“Should we stop scientists developing synthetic life?”

Write an essay in which you discuss the implications of creating synthetic life. Base your essay on both video and text. (Minimum 700 words)

B2. Report from the Future

Write a report from 2050 in which you describe the effects the applications of synthetic life forms have had. (Minimum 700 words)

Texts

I: Artificial Life Created
II: Should We Stop Scientists Developing Synthetic Life?

Presentation of the topic

Synthetic life refers to bio-organisms that are created in a laboratory. The first researcher to create synthetic life is Craig Venter who has created a completely new bacteria using genetic material from mycoplasma and implanting it in a different bacteria which was stripped of its own DNA. This scientific achievement paves the way for a future in which researchers will be able to design bacteria on a computer. Synthetic life forms like bacteria could be used to clean the air or treat some diseases. However, there are also various ethical concerns related to synthetic life. They could become a threat because of bio-errors or if they fall into the hands of bio-terrorists.

Further help

Do you want additional help with analysis of speeches? See our general guide to non-fiction analysis.