A Helping Hand?

1. Set Focus
Pose this essential question to guide discussion: Can humans go too far to preserve biodiversity?

2. List Vocabulary
Share with students some of the challenging vocabulary words in this article. Encourage them to use context to infer meanings as they read.

• genomes (p. 15)
• biodiversity (p. 16)
• intervention (p. 16)
• vortex (p. 16)
• resilient (p. 16)
• contend (p. 16)

3. Engage
To contextualize the article, have students watch the video “Why Biodiversity Is Important” on the Upfront website. Ask students to briefly explain what they learned from the video.

4. Read 
Have students read the article, marking the text to note key ideas or questions.

5. Discuss
Distribute or project Up Close: A Helping Hand?, a close-reading activity for students to work on in small groups. (Note: The questions on the PDF also appear on the following page of this lesson, with possible responses.) Follow up with a class discussion. If you’re short on time, have each group tackle one or two of the questions. Collect students’ work or have each group report its findings to the class.

• What is the author’s main purpose in writing the article? How does phrasing the title as a question help convey the author’s purpose? (Author’s purpose, text structure) (The author’s main purpose is to explain how scientists are using “assisted evolution” to help endangered species survive in their environments, and to discuss both sides of the ethical debate surrounding its use. Phrasing the title as a question highlights the fact that the author’s purpose is not to make a judgment or suggest an answer, but to instead examine a question.)

• What is “assisted evolution”? Explain how it is similar to, and different from, natural evolution. (Central ideas, compare & contrast)(Assisted evolution is the use of techniques, such as crossbreeding and gene editing, to alter the genomes of creatures to give them advantageous traits. It is like natural evolution because it involves animals changing in ways that help them survive. It is different in that it’s human-directed and much faster than natural evolution, which can take millions of years.)

• Summarize the arguments for and against the use of “assisted evolution” in preserving biodiversity. (Summarize)(Some scientists argue that assisted evolution is necessary because some animals are in such dire straits that they will go extinct before they evolve naturally. Others argue against the process because it can be seen as akin to “playing God” and may have unintentional consequences.)

• What is the central idea of the section “Unintended Effects”? What evidence does it offer to support the central idea? (Central idea, cite evidence)(The central idea of “Unintended Effects” is that human attempts to “re-engineer” nature, even with the best of intentions, have sometimes led to additional problems. To support this idea, the article discusses a breed of toxic toad that scientists deliberately set loose in Australia a century ago in order to control pest beetles. The toads have now endangered another species.) 

• In “Unintended Effects,” Cam Walker says, “Focusing on intensive intervention in specific species can be a distraction.” What does he mean? What does he suggest people do instead? (Analyze words, problem & solution)(He means that assisted evolution, in its attempts to save some animals, might endanger many more because it could distract people from making behavioral changes that would help the environment. He believes we should focus on halting habitat loss and slowing climate change.)

• What is the purpose of the graphic “How Gene Editing Works”? How does the graphic contribute to the reader’s understanding of the article? (Integrate information)(The purpose of this graphic is to show how scientists edit the DNA of a species. This graphic contributes to the reader’s understanding of the article because it helps the reader visualize how an abstract idea, such as gene editing, works. That makes the idea more concrete and comprehensible.) 

6. Writing Prompt
Write a brief essay explaining the importance of biodiversity and why scientists believe “assisted evolution” may help preserve it.

7. Analyze Structure
Use the article to complete the Investigate the News skill sheet.

8. Classroom Debate
Is “assisted evolution” ethical?

9. Quiz & Skills
Use the quiz to assess comprehension and Be the Editor to review grammar skills.