April 11th · 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 LESSONB1 / B2Discussion · Vocabulary · Activities
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.'