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Human cloning developments raise hopes for new treatments

Lorraine Barnes suffered a heart attack in 2005 and has lived with the consequences – extreme
exhaustion and breathlessness – ever since. There is no cure for heart failure, the aftermath of a heart
attack, and the condition is common. Every seven minutes a person has a heart attack in the UK, and
some victims are left so weakened they can hardly walk a few metres.

It's a grim scenario. But the prospects for patients like Barnes last week took a dramatic turn for the
better when it was revealed that human cloning has been used for the first time to create embryonic
stem cells from which new tissue – genetically identical to a patient's own cells – could be grown.

Scientists have been working on such techniques for some time without success. But the team led by
Shoukhrat Mitalipov, of the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, have changed that. "We
were able to produce one embryonic stem cell line using just two human eggs, which would make this
approach practical for widespread medical use," said Mitalipov.

The development was hailed as a major boost for patients such as Barnes, who might benefit from tissue
transplants – and not just heart attack patients but those suffering from diabetes, Parkinson's disease
and other conditions.

But the announcement was also greeted with horror. "Scientists have finally delivered the baby that
potential human cloners have been waiting for: a method for reliably creating cloned human embryos,"
said David King of Human Genetics Alert. "It is imperative we create an international ban on human
cloning before any more research like this takes place. It is irresponsible in the extreme to have
published this."

Such reactions have a familiar ring. When the cloning of Dolly the Sheep was revealed in 1997 there was
an outpouring of hysteria about the prospect of multiple Saddam Husseins being created in laboratories.

At present such a creation is banned in Britain. No human embryo created by cloning techniques is
allowed to develop beyond 14 days.

Experts such as Professor John Harris, see positive benefits in reproductive cloning. In fact, most
arguments against human cloning are foolish, said Harris, adding: "It could be used in medically helpful
ways.”

"Or consider the example of a single woman who wants a child. She prefers the idea of using all her own
DNA to the idea of accepting 50% from a stranger. But because we ban human cloning she would be
forced to accept DNA from a stranger and have to mother 'his child'. I think that is ethically
questionable.”

Adapted from The Guardian 18 May 2013

 What is the main subject of the article?
1) Cloning for reproductive purposes.
2) Cloning to find new cures for common diseases.
3) Previous cloning experiments.
 Answer the following questions
a) Who is Lorraine Barnes and why could she benefit from cloning?
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b) What other illnesses does the article mention that cloning could be useful for?
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c) What is David King worried about?
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d) What does King think should be done to prevent further research?
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e) How could cloning benefit single women?
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Writing.
“Cloning is both beneficial and necessary for the survival of the human race.” Discuss this statement
giving arguments both in favor and against. Try to use as many different verbs, tenses and structure as
you can. (150 words)

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Grammar
Present perfect or past simple? Complete with the correct tense.

1. We __________(go) to the movies last night.

2. Tom ___________(see) that movie three times already.

3. I __________(read) yesterday’s newspaper, but I ________ (not/read) today’s.

4. The students__________(have) eight exams this month so far.

5. The students __________(have) eight exams in the last month.

6. They _____________ (practice) for the concert for over three hours now.

7. ______you ever _________(be) to a professional football match?

Present perfect simple or continuous? Complete with the correct tense.

8. The kids _______ (watch) television since 3 o’clock

9. Sorry I’m late. _____ you_______ (wait) long?

10. I _______(see) theat band twice since they started playing.

11. Your mother_______(call) you for over two hours! She was very worried!

12. Since 2005, there ______(be) two big economic crisis in Europe.

13. ________she__________(text) you the adress? I don’t know where the party is.

14. For the last two month, I ______(buy)all my food from an organic store.

15. I ________(read) that book twice and I love it!