Biology • Year 12 • Module 6 • Lesson 10
Future Directions and Potential Benefits for Society
Lock in the vocabulary of emerging biotechnology — gene editing, synthetic biology, precision breeding, disease screening, targeted therapy — and the framework (need × feasibility × fairness) used to judge realistic social benefit.
1. Term–definition match
The ten definitions below are shuffled. In the right-hand column write the matching term from this list: gene editing, synthetic biology, precision breeding, disease screening, targeted therapy, feasibility, hype, evidence-based prediction, off-target effect, scalability. 10 marks
| # | Definition (shuffled) | Matching term |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Targeted alteration of a DNA sequence at a chosen location in the genome. | |
| 1.2 | The design or redesign of biological systems (e.g. engineered yeast, designer pathways) for a specific purpose. | |
| 1.3 | Use of genetic knowledge or targeted molecular tools to guide breeding outcomes more efficiently than traditional crossing alone. | |
| 1.4 | Use of biotechnology to detect genetic risks or biological markers earlier and more accurately than older methods. | |
| 1.5 | A treatment designed to act on a particular molecular or genetic feature rather than affecting all cells broadly. | |
| 1.6 | Whether a technology is practical, effective, safe and scalable outside theory or small trials. | |
| 1.7 | Treating an emerging technology as a guaranteed solution because it sounds advanced, without evidence of safety or access. | |
| 1.8 | A prediction that builds from current trends and demonstrated capability and uses cautious language ("may", "could", "has potential to"). | |
| 1.9 | An unintended edit at a non-target site in the genome when a guide RNA binds to a partially complementary sequence — a key safety concern in CRISPR. | |
| 1.10 | The ability of a technology to operate reliably and affordably at large size, not just in small research trials. |
2. True or false — with correction
For each statement, circle T or F. If the statement is false, write the corrected version on the line. 10 marks (1 for T/F, 1 for the correction where needed)
2.1 CRISPR gene editing always edits only the intended target sequence with no off-target effects. T / F
2.2 Future biotechnology is trending toward more targeted, precise and data-informed biological intervention. T / F
2.3 A biotechnology that works in a small lab trial is automatically a guaranteed social benefit once it is published. T / F
2.4 Disease screening only matters in medicine and has no relevance to agriculture or industry. T / F
2.5 Evaluating future biotechnology realistically requires asking about need, feasibility and fairness — not just whether the technology sounds modern. T / F
3. Function recall
Answer each in 1–2 sentences using precise terms from the lesson. 10 marks (2 each)
3.1 What is the function of gene editing in research, medicine and agriculture?
3.2 What is the function of disease screening as an emerging biotechnology direction?
3.3 What is the function of a targeted therapy compared with a non-targeted (broadly cytotoxic) treatment?
3.4 What is the function of asking "is it feasible at scale" when evaluating an emerging biotechnology?
3.5 What is the function of the word "may" (rather than "will") in a scientifically responsible prediction about future biotechnology?
4. Cloze — the lesson's central claim
Fill in the blanks using terms from the word bank. Each term is used once. 10 marks
Word bank: precision · feasibility · fairness · need · gene editing · synthetic biology · precision breeding · disease screening · access · hype
Future biotechnology is trending toward greater biological (4.1) ____________. Emerging directions include (4.2) ____________, which targets DNA sequence change; (4.3) ____________, which designs or redesigns biological systems for a specific purpose; (4.4) ____________, which guides agricultural breeding more efficiently; and (4.5) ____________, which detects genetic risks earlier and more accurately. To evaluate whether any of these will actually benefit society, the lesson uses three questions: (4.6) ____________ (what real problem is being addressed?), (4.7) ____________ (can it work safely outside small trials and be regulated and scaled?), and (4.8) ____________ (who actually gets the benefit?). Without those questions, claims about emerging biotechnology slide into (4.9) ____________ — treating advanced-sounding technology as a guaranteed solution. The single biggest determinant of real-world benefit is not novelty but equitable (4.10) ____________.
5. Build a concept map
Draw labelled arrows between the six terms below to show how they connect. Each arrow must carry a linking phrase (e.g. "is judged by", "is undermined by", "depends on"). Aim for at least 5 labelled arrows. 5 marks
Supplied terms: future biotechnology · realistic prediction · need / feasibility / fairness · access · social benefit · hype.
Q1 — Term–definition matches (10 marks)
1.1 gene editing • 1.2 synthetic biology • 1.3 precision breeding • 1.4 disease screening • 1.5 targeted therapy • 1.6 feasibility • 1.7 hype • 1.8 evidence-based prediction • 1.9 off-target effect • 1.10 scalability.
Marking note: 1 mark per correct match. Spelling counts; partial spelling errors that preserve meaning award the mark.
Q2 — True / false with correction (10 marks)
2.1 False. Correction: CRISPR is highly precise, but guide RNAs can bind to sequences with partial complementarity elsewhere in the genome, producing off-target edits — a major safety concern that requires extensive screening before any clinical application.
2.2 True.
2.3 False. Correction: a small-trial success does not guarantee social benefit — real benefit depends on safety, regulation, scalability, cost, equitable access and public acceptance.
2.4 False. Correction: disease screening principles also apply outside human medicine (e.g. detecting disease genes in livestock, screening crops for pathogen susceptibility, food-safety pathogen detection in industry).
2.5 True.
Marking note: 1 mark for the correct T/F; 1 mark for a defensible correction where applicable. Maximum 10.
Q3 — Function recall (10 marks)
3.1 Gene editing. Its function is to introduce a targeted change to a chosen DNA sequence, allowing more controlled biological outcomes than older random-mutation methods. In research it enables study of gene function; in medicine it underpins emerging gene therapies; in agriculture it enables more precise selection of desirable traits.
3.2 Disease screening. Its function is to detect genetic risk factors or biological markers earlier and more accurately than older methods, so that prevention, monitoring or treatment can begin before disease becomes advanced.
3.3 Targeted therapy. Its function is to act on a particular molecular or genetic feature of diseased cells (e.g. a specific receptor or mutation) instead of affecting all dividing cells. The result is intended to be greater effectiveness and fewer side-effects than non-targeted treatments such as conventional chemotherapy.
3.4 Asking "is it feasible at scale". Its function is to test whether a technology that works in principle (or in a small trial) can actually operate safely, reliably and affordably for the much larger population that would need the benefit — separating prediction from hype.
3.5 The word "may". Its function is to flag that the benefit is potential, not guaranteed — the statement is grounded in current evidence but still depends on future feasibility, safety and access. It is the linguistic signature of evidence-based prediction.
Marking note: 2 marks per item — 1 for naming the role, 1 for naming a mechanism or condition.
Q4 — Cloze (10 marks)
4.1 precision • 4.2 gene editing • 4.3 synthetic biology • 4.4 precision breeding • 4.5 disease screening • 4.6 need • 4.7 feasibility • 4.8 fairness • 4.9 hype • 4.10 access.
Marking note: 1 mark per correctly placed term. Each word is used once. No partial-credit synonyms.
Q5 — Sample concept map (5 marks)
A correct map should include arrows such as:
- future biotechnology — is judged by → need / feasibility / fairness
- need / feasibility / fairness — produces → realistic prediction
- realistic prediction — when matched with fair → access
- access — delivers → social benefit
- hype — ignores → need / feasibility / fairness
- hype — undermines → realistic prediction
Any biologically valid linking phrases are accepted. Award full marks for at least 5 correctly labelled arrows that respect causal direction.