Pre-reading questions:
- According to the article, what’s the possible result of the experiment?
- Do you think this will help the couples who wants to have a child in the future?
Japanese scientists have developed and fertilized mouse eggs in their laboratory. This is the first report that fully matured eggs were developed in a laboratory setting. Processing stem cells into mature eggs is still too dangerous to be tested in humans. The technique may be helpful to treat infertility but the process is difficult and it will take a long time to develop according to Richard Anderson of the University of Edinburgh’s MRC Centre for Reproductive Health.
Scientist made the research for their clinical interests and also for those patients who lacks eggs. High possibility of abnormalities can result from this experiment if not done properly. Scientists still need to further improve their study to those mouse embryos that developed abnormally. They cannot test it on humans because IVF is still ethically not allowed as of now.
Vocabulary:
develop – grow
dangerous – unsafe
technique – procedure
improve – enhance
ethically – properly
Comprehension Questions:
- According to the article, what has been developed in the laboratory?
- What did Richard Anderson say about the technique?
- To whom is the research made for?
- What does scientists still need to improve with their study?
Express Your Opinion:
- What’s your opinion about this statement “The study is very useful to humans and it is said to be safe”.
- The issue has to be discussed fully by the scientists and society. Agree? Disagree? Why?
- If scientists will give you the chance to be tested, would you like to accept it?