April 11 • Cultural Insight

World Parkinson's Day

The Ethics of Longevity. This lesson explores the bio-Medical revolution and whether our focus should be on curing disease or redesigning the human body to avoid decay entirely.

Speaking Discussion

If a chip in your brain could stop all tremors but also recorded your thoughts, would you take it?
Should we spend more money on end-of-Life care or pre-Birth genetic engineering?
Is ageing a disease that we should try to cure, or a natural part of the human story?
How does a chronic illness change a person's sense of time?
Is empathy possible if you have never experienced physical limitation?

Activity 1: The Bio-Tech Ethics Board

The Task: You have a $10 Billion grant. You must choose between: A) A cure for Parkinson's for the current generation, or B) A technology that makes the next generation immune to all neurological decay but costs $100,000 per child. Defend your choice.

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Debate

Justify in 30 seconds: 1. 'We are just machines made of meat, and we should be upgraded.' 2. 'The 'limitation' of the body is what makes human life meaningful.' 3. 'Healthcare is a right for the young, but a luxury for the very old.'

Key Vocabulary

Neurological (Adj) Relating to the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system.
Chronic (Adj) (Of an illness) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
Tremor (N) An involuntary quivering movement.
Degenerative (Adj) (Of a disease or symptom) characterised by progressive deterioration.
Resilience (N) The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

Fluency Catalyst

Native Phrase: When discussing impact, use: "To get a handle on something (to understand or control a situation)."

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