IELTS Reading Practice: Exploring Ethical Concerns in Biotechnology

The IELTS Reading section challenges test-takers to demonstrate their English comprehension skills through various text types and question formats. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been increasingly prevalent in recent years: ethical concerns in biotechnology. This subject has appeared in several past IELTS exams and, given its growing relevance in our society, is likely to feature in future tests as well.

Biotechnology ethics is a complex and evolving field, making it an ideal subject for IELTS Reading passages. It combines scientific knowledge with moral and societal considerations, requiring test-takers to engage with the material critically. Let’s dive into a practice exercise that will help you prepare for this type of content in your IELTS Reading test.

Reading Passage: The Ethical Landscape of Biotechnology

Biotechnology: A Double-Edged Sword

Biotechnology, the manipulation of living organisms or their components to create useful products, has revolutionized fields ranging from medicine to agriculture. However, as with many scientific advancements, it brings with it a host of ethical concerns that society must grapple with. From genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to human cloning and gene editing, the potential benefits of biotechnology are often overshadowed by moral dilemmas and potential risks.

One of the most contentious areas in biotechnology is genetic modification in agriculture. Proponents argue that GMOs can increase crop yields, enhance nutritional value, and improve resistance to pests and diseases. This could potentially address global food security issues and reduce the use of harmful pesticides. However, critics raise concerns about the long-term effects of GMOs on human health and the environment. There are fears that genetically modified crops could lead to unintended consequences, such as the creation of “superweeds” or the loss of biodiversity.

Human applications of biotechnology raise even more complex ethical issues. Gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 offer the potential to eliminate genetic diseases before birth. However, they also open the door to “designer babies,” where parents could potentially select for desired traits in their offspring. This raises questions about equality, as such technologies might only be available to the wealthy, potentially exacerbating societal divides.

Cloning technology presents another ethical minefield. While animal cloning has become relatively common in research and agriculture, the prospect of human cloning remains highly controversial. Many countries have banned reproductive human cloning outright, citing ethical and safety concerns. However, therapeutic cloning, which involves creating cloned embryos for stem cell research, remains a topic of debate. Supporters argue that it could lead to groundbreaking medical treatments, while opponents view it as unethical manipulation of human life.

Privacy and consent are also significant concerns in biotechnology. As genetic testing becomes more widespread, questions arise about who should have access to this sensitive information. There are fears that genetic data could be used for discrimination in employment or insurance. Additionally, as biobanks collect and store genetic information for research purposes, issues of informed consent and data protection come to the forefront.

The rapid pace of biotechnological advancement often outstrips the development of regulatory frameworks. This creates challenges for policymakers trying to balance the potential benefits of new technologies with ethical considerations and public safety. International cooperation is crucial, as the implications of biotechnology transcend national borders.

As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in biotechnology, it’s clear that ethical considerations must remain at the forefront of scientific advancement. The decisions we make today about how to regulate and apply these powerful technologies will shape the future of humanity and our relationship with the natural world.

Ethical Dilemma in Biotechnology

Questions

True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Biotechnology has had a significant impact on both medicine and agriculture.
2. All scientists agree that GMOs are completely safe for human consumption.
3. Gene editing technologies could potentially be used to create “designer babies.”
4. Therapeutic cloning is universally accepted as an ethical practice.
5. Genetic testing raises concerns about privacy and potential discrimination.
6. International cooperation is unnecessary in regulating biotechnology.

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct number i-viii next to the paragraph number.

List of Headings:
i. The controversy surrounding GMOs
ii. Ethical issues in human biotechnology
iii. The definition and impact of biotechnology
iv. Cloning: from animals to humans
v. The challenge of regulating biotechnology
vi. Privacy concerns in genetic testing
vii. The future of biotechnology ethics
viii. Biotechnology and global food security

Paragraph 1:
Paragraph 2:
Paragraph 3:
Paragraph 4:
Paragraph 5:
Paragraph 6:
Paragraph 7:

Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

7. According to the passage, proponents of GMOs argue that they can:
   A) Increase the use of pesticides
   B) Improve crop resistance to pests
   C) Reduce nutritional value of crops
   D) Decrease crop yields

8. The main ethical concern about “designer babies” is:
   A) They could lead to the creation of superhumans
   B) They might exacerbate societal inequality
   C) They are not technologically feasible
   D) They could eliminate all genetic diseases

9. The passage suggests that the main challenge in regulating biotechnology is:
   A) Lack of international cooperation
   B) Insufficient funding for research
   C) The rapid pace of technological advancement
   D) Public opposition to biotechnology

10. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a potential use of genetic information?
    A) Medical research
    B) Insurance decisions
    C) Employment decisions
    D) Criminal investigations

Answers and Explanations

1. TRUE – The passage states that biotechnology “has revolutionized fields ranging from medicine to agriculture.”

2. FALSE – The passage mentions that “critics raise concerns about the long-term effects of GMOs on human health,” indicating that there is no universal agreement on their safety.

3. TRUE – The passage explicitly states that gene editing technologies “open the door to ‘designer babies,’ where parents could potentially select for desired traits in their offspring.”

4. NOT GIVEN – The passage states that therapeutic cloning “remains a topic of debate,” but does not indicate whether it is universally accepted or not.

5. TRUE – The passage mentions that “as genetic testing becomes more widespread, questions arise about who should have access to this sensitive information” and that “there are fears that genetic data could be used for discrimination in employment or insurance.”

6. FALSE – The passage states that “International cooperation is crucial, as the implications of biotechnology transcend national borders.”

Matching Headings:
Paragraph 1: iii
Paragraph 2: i
Paragraph 3: ii
Paragraph 4: iv
Paragraph 5: vi
Paragraph 6: v
Paragraph 7: vii

7. B – The passage states that proponents argue GMOs can “improve resistance to pests and diseases.”

8. B – The passage mentions that designer babies raise questions about equality, as such technologies “might only be available to the wealthy, potentially exacerbating societal divides.”

9. C – The passage states that “The rapid pace of biotechnological advancement often outstrips the development of regulatory frameworks.”

10. D – The passage mentions medical research, insurance, and employment as potential uses of genetic information, but does not mention criminal investigations.

Common Mistakes

When tackling a reading passage like this, test-takers often make the following mistakes:

1. Overlooking key words: In True/False/Not Given questions, missing words like “all” or “some” can lead to incorrect answers.

2. Confusing the author’s view with reported views: It’s important to distinguish between what the author states as fact and what they report as others’ opinions.

3. Making assumptions: Especially in Not Given questions, avoid inferring information that isn’t explicitly stated in the text.

4. Misinterpreting complex sentences: Long sentences with multiple clauses can be tricky. Break them down to understand their full meaning.

5. Failing to use context: Sometimes, the meaning of a sentence can only be fully understood in the context of the surrounding text.

Vocabulary

Here are some key vocabulary items from the passage:

1. Biotechnology (noun) /ˌbaɪ.əʊ.tekˈnɒl.ə.dʒi/: The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products.

2. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) (noun) /dʒəˌnet.ɪ.kəl.i ˈmɒd.ɪ.faɪd ˈɔː.ɡən.ɪ.zəmz/: Organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

3. Gene editing (noun) /dʒiːn ˈed.ɪ.tɪŋ/: A type of genetic engineering in which DNA is inserted, deleted, modified or replaced in the genome of a living organism.

4. Cloning (noun) /ˈkləʊ.nɪŋ/: The process of producing genetically identical copies of a biological entity.

5. Ethical (adjective) /ˈeθ.ɪ.kəl/: Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these.

6. Contentious (adjective) /kənˈten.ʃəs/: Causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument.

7. Therapeutic (adjective) /ˌθer.əˈpjuː.tɪk/: Relating to the healing of disease.

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to these grammatical structures:

1. Passive voice: “Biotechnology, the manipulation of living organisms or their components to create useful products, has revolutionized fields ranging from medicine to agriculture.”

2. Present perfect tense: “Biotechnology… has revolutionized fields ranging from medicine to agriculture.”

3. Conditional sentences: “This could potentially address global food security issues and reduce the use of harmful pesticides.”

4. Comparative structures: “The rapid pace of biotechnological advancement often outstrips the development of regulatory frameworks.”

Tips for Success

To excel in the IELTS Reading section, especially with complex topics like biotechnology ethics, consider these strategies:

1. Skim the passage quickly before reading the questions to get a general idea of the content.

2. Read the questions carefully, underlining key words.

3. When searching for answers, focus on topic sentences and concluding sentences of paragraphs.

4. Practice active reading by asking yourself questions about the text as you read.

5. Improve your vocabulary related to science and ethics. This will help you understand complex passages more easily.

6. Time management is crucial. Allocate your time wisely between different questions and passages.

7. If you’re unsure about an answer, make an educated guess and move on. You can always come back to it if you have time at the end.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you expose yourself to complex texts and varied question types, the better prepared you’ll be for the IELTS Reading test. Good luck with your studies!

For more practice on related topics, check out our articles on ethical implications of genetic modification in food and ethical implications of human cloning.