STEP 5 Think further and prepare for your test: science and ethics
Read the text and compare it to the passage from Frankenstein. Then decide if the statements are true or false and use the prompts in brackets to write some extra reflections in your exercise book. You can use the final text as revision material for your test.
One of the main themes in Frankenstein is the danger of overreaching ambition. (Refer to section 6.20 in your textbook and to the literary influences, in particular to the myth of Prometheus, to support this statement.) This remains relevant today: in 2018, a scientist named He Jiankui genetically modified human embryos to create resistance to HIV. The long-term effects of his experiment are still unknown, and it sparked global outrage. Many compared him to a real-life Dr Frankenstein, as both were driven by scientific pursuit but neglected the moral responsibilities their experiments demanded. (Refer to the plot and the passage 'The creation of the monster' and elaborate on Victor Frankenstein's neglect.) Like Victor, He directly tampered with the integrity of human life without protecting the welfare of those involved. Their stories serve as powerful reminders that unchecked scientific ambition, without ethical consideration, can lead to unforeseen and potentially dangerous consequences (Refer to section 6.20 in your textbook and how Mary Shelley's interest in science might have contributed to the writing of the novel.)
A: Frankenstein is an outdated story today.
B: The long-term effects of He Jiankui's experiment are well-known and safe.
C: Many people called He a modern Dr Frankenstein because they strongly disapproved of his experiment.
D: Both Victor and He prioritised the safety and welfare of their creations above everything else.
E: The stories of Victor and He remind us that science without ethics can have dangerous results.