Guest Lecture on Genetic Engineering on 26 September 2017

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Genetic Engineering is a fast developing field today. The students of MYP 5 attended an interactive guest lecture on Genetic Engineering by Dr Virginia D'Britto on 26 September 2017. Dr D’Britto is the Head of the Department of Science in our school.


The learners of MYP 5 were aware of organ transplantation, stem cell banking, surrogacy as well as research in this field for the future of mankind. This will enable the learners to develop their research skills and get enough information to reflect while attempting their assessments.


This will facilitate them to transfer their knowledge about Genetic Engineering, while studying the film 'Frankenstein' in the English Language and Literature curriculum. 

Student Reflection


Our lecture, delivered by Dr Virginia D’Britto, was about genes, cloning of organs and how genes make every human unique. The lecture proceeded with a discussion about genes and how they decide the colour of the skin, the eye colour, hair texture, height, etc. We then proceeded to organ transplants, where we discussed about Greek and Indian mythical creatures, about how their existence was never in harmony with nature as they were either cursed or brought to life in an unnatural manner.


Then we learnt how genes play a role in making every individual a unique one. We learned that crossing over of genes takes place where one gene dominates the other, and this is why, we cannot be called our parent’s replica or clones. Some external factors such as hormones again make us different from our parents. This led our discussion to surrogacy, test tube babies and storing umbilical cord blood for stem cells, and other organs for a better and safe future.


Dr D’Britto explained that science now makes it possible for parents to choose how they want their child to look, such as selection of eye colour, hair texture, etc.

It was an interactive as well as knowledgeable session for the students. It will surely prove to be helpful for our Summative Assessment in English Language and Literature related to this topic.

– Krishni Tiwari, MYP 5

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