Non-fiction: Cloning Around

Transcription

1 Non-fiction: Cloning Around Cloning Around Should people be allowed to clone themselves or others? In 1997, scientists cloned a lamb named Dolly from an adult sheep. Cloning is a process in which cells from the body of one living thing are used to make an exact copy of it. Since Dolly, scientists have cloned cattle, pigs, and other animals. Some scientists would like to try to make clones of human beings. They could create a new baby from the cells of a person, they say. Someday, just a few of your cells could be used to make a copy of you. You could have a younger identical twin. Should scientists be allowed to clone humans? All over the world, people are wrestling with that question. Read these arguments. Then decide for yourself. Yes! Scientists Should Clone People. Cloning humans would help us learn. We could learn more about how people develop. That could lead to preventing and curing diseases. Scientists could learn how to clone parts of the human body. People who need new body parts would be able to get them. For example, a person with a bad heart could get a heart from a clone. Making a clone of a person could be a wonderful thing. Parents whose child dies could use cells to create a new baby. The baby would be like the child they lost. Some people aren't able to have babies. People who want to be parents could make a clone instead. Then they would have a baby of their own. Many people have done a lot for peace or science. A clone might be able to continue the good work. No! Scientists Should Not Clone People. Making clones of people is wrong. We were not meant to make new humans in the lab. 1 Article: Copyright 2001 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission.

2 Non-fiction: Cloning Around Experiments on humans are dangerous. We don't know what could happen. Cloned babies might have problems. They might not be able to live full lives. A person should be made from two parents. A cloned baby would have only one parent. A cloned person would not be exactly like the original. Many things affect how a person is. What happens in your life affects who you are. No two babies have the exact same experiences. Cloning a child who died would not mean getting that same child back. Bad people might clone for the wrong reasons. For example, they might want to make thousands of clones of super strong people to use in armies. Cloning is too risky. 2 Article: Copyright 2001 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved. Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation. Used by permission.

3 Name: Date: 1. According to the passage, what living beings have been cloned? A sheep, humans, and pigs B pigs, cows, and humans C dogs, cats, and sheep D sheep, cows, and pigs 2. Which of the following best describes one argument for and one argument against cloning? A One argument for cloning is that cloning could help a person live on to do good work. One argument against cloning is that cloned babies might have problems. B One argument for cloning is that people might make clones for bad reasons. One argument against cloning is that cloning could provide people with new body parts. C One argument for cloning is that Dolly the sheep lived a happy life. One argument against cloning is that cloning is too risky. D One argument for cloning is that a cloned baby would have one parent instead of two. One argument against cloning is that scientists might not be allowed to clone humans in some countries. 3. It can be inferred from the passage that A scientists will certainly clone a human being in the next few years B no human being has yet been cloned C cloning human beings is wrong and dangerous D cloning human beings is something that will never happen 4. Read the following sentence: They could create a new baby from the cells of a person, they say. In this sentence the word create means A make B love C enjoy D teach 5. What would be another good title for this passage? A Cloning Parts of the Human Body B The Life of Dolly the Sheep C Is Cloning a Good Idea or Not? D Cloning Animals is Wrong 1

4 6. According to the passage, what would happen if a few human cells were cloned? 7. What are two arguments in favor of cloning? 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Some scientists would like to make clones of human beings it could help people who can t have babies on their own. A because B although C but D when 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. Scientists cloned a lamb named Dolly in 1997 from an adult sheep. Who? scientists (did) What? When? 2

5 10. Read the vocabulary word and definition below and complete questions 10a, 10b, and 11. Vocabulary word: identical (i den tic al): exactly the same. 10a. Read the sentences below and underline the word identical. 1. It was hard to tell the difference between the birthday presents because they were the same size and wrapped in identical paper. 2. Sometimes identical twins like to dress exactly alike. 3. The two puppies were identical except that one had a white spot on its ear. 4. I liked the shoes so much that I went back to buy an identical pair. 5. As I walked down the street I noticed all the houses looked exactly the same, so they were identical. 10b. Which of the following pictures shows people that are NOT identical? 11. If you and your best friend wear identical outfits, will people be able to tell you apart? Why or why not? 3