13561 Cloning
TOEFL Independent Writing Task
Prompt: Genetic Engineering
Sample Answer by Jeenn Lee Hsieh
ielts360toefl@hotmail.com 谢振礼
Outline: a 4-paragraph opinion essay
*introduction>话题由大而小 thesis (genetic engineering is both positive and negative>focus (human cloning for good or evil)>signposts (A=benefits, B=dangers).
*body A>指标句A. benefits of genetic engineering (+支持句 supported by examples and explanations)
*body B>指标句B. dangers of genetic engineering (+支持句 supported by examples and explanations)
*conclusion>话题由小而大 signpost A+signpost B>focus (good vs. evil)>thesis (for better or worse)
Writing Topic:
>Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? "Genetic engineering brings with it more dangers than benefits and should be banned worldwide." Discuss both views.
Use specific reasons and examples (based on your knowledge or experience) to support your answer.
Example Essay by Jeenn Lee Hsieh:
Genetic engineering, if particularly speaking of cloning in humans, has the potential to be both a huge blessing and a terrible curse. In a literary sense, the issue may be likened to the strange case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde in Robert Louis Stevenson's story, referring to one who has dual personality that alternates between good and evil behavior. Worldwide, as the science of genetic engineering advances, probably there will be as many upsides as downsides.
There are a range of advantages to being able to alter the cells in human bodies genetically. Recent discoveries have demonstrated that things that once seemed slightly possible only in fiction could soon become a reality. If nothing else, scientists believe that the technology has the potential to increase people's life spans. For that matter, some estimates reckon that 100-150 years could be the norm. This is partly based on the latest research that has opened the possibility of new treatment for a number of diseases which up to now have been incurable, and that medical specialists have anticipated that they could replace a sick human organ with a new one grown from cells. After all, now that the cloning of a sheep (like 'Dolly') has proved to be successful, can the cloning of a human person be far behind?
What, then, are the risks associated with getting genes into a human body and have them carry out the desired function? At this stage, to say that genetic engineering such as cloning has attracted some controversy would be an understatement. Already there are many cries that scientists are 'playing God' and that it would unfortunately and unwisely lead to a two-tier society--the genetically 'haves' and the 'have-nots'. As a result, interfering with nature in this way could bring with it dangers beyond anyone's wildest imagination. As yet, none would have any idea how an artificially-created person might behave (e.g. Jeckyll or Hyde?), or indeed how that person might or might not enjoy or suffer at all. Altogether, there are ethical or religious questions to be asked, and there are scientific questions to be answered, but none of these subjects is simple.
In conclusion, society will decide how to use genetic engineering and, if possible, draw the 'red line', and it is for governments to weigh up the pros and cons of this technology. It has to be evaluated what may be legal and encouraged, and what should be illegal and banned, and what genetic scientists are trying to accomplish and what they are not trying to do. Eventually, for better or worse, will the human future be a science fiction or a science reality? (Essay created by Jeenn Lee Hsieh 谢振礼, ielts360toefl@hotmail.com pigai zuowen)
Writing A SFR Essay: ielts360toefl@hotmail.com 谢振礼通信讲座
>Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
>Use SPECIFIC reasons and examples (from your knowledge or experience) to support your answer.
1【狠】Strong>A strong essay is well focused, well organized, and well supported.
2【快】Fast>To be a fast writer, you should plan logically before writing grammatically.
3【准】Relevant>The opinion or ideas must be to your thesis. (and not off-topic).
1. 称得上【狠】的论说文具有强势的主题，结构，内容。主题有焦点，结构有组织，内容有支持。
2. 速度【快】才能适应考试时间的限制和字数的要求。想要达到速度的要求却是必须想好再写，佛则反而欲速则不达。
3. 论证逻辑而切题才算是【准】。做到有问必答;避免离题(答非所问)。
