QUEST 2: Clone Armies ORIGINS – Genes

ORIGINS – Genes

QUEST 2: Clone armies

Teacher notes

Curriculum links: English, Drama, Maths Key Stage: Key Stage 2 Zone Relevance: Origins

Aim: This activity looks at the concept of cloning. It requires pupils to think about the implications of cloning. It is a sophisticated concept which is better suited to high ability pupils and older year groups.

Background: The stormtroopers are clones of Jango Fett, who was a bounty hunter killed by Jedi Master, Mace Windu. One of his clones, which he raises as his son (Boba Fett) also rises to be a bounty hunter, and captures Han Solo for Jabba the Hutt. Although he doesn’t have many lines or scenes in the films, Boba Fett developed a considerable cult following. The clone troopers were cloned for one purpose, to be an army that copied the qualities of a bounty hunter: agility, problem solving, and coordination, while being able to be controlled and loyal to the commands of their master.

What is cloning? Cloning is the creation of an organism that is genetically identical to another organism. The cloning that is used to create the clone army in Star Wars is a technological process in which an individual is grown using the genetic material of another individual. This process has been done by scientists here on Earth. In 1997, Dolly the Sheep was cloned from the genetic material of another sheep. Since this breakthrough scientists have used this technology to clone other animals. Some plant species can also produce clones by creating runners or seeds that grow into new organisms that are genetically identical to the parent individual. Human cloning has yet to be achieved through technological means. Human clones are, nonetheless, quite common. Identical twins are individuals who share the same genetic makeup and are therefore clones. Identical twins develop from a single fertilised egg which splits apart and develops into individuals.

EDUCATOR’S RESOURCE GUIDE 14 Activity 1: Explain to pupils the concept of cloning and how the issue of cloning is a controversial subject. Discuss the ethical implications of cloning and create a spider diagram on the IWB to detail the discussion points.

Some pros and cons for discussion could be: 1. It could eliminate defective genes 2. It could help protect endangered species 3. By cloning humans, it will be possible for potential parents to choose particular traits for their children (e.g. gender, eye colour and other characteristics usually left to chance) 4. It interferes with nature (for instance if genes are modified to create more intelligent human beings, the average person will not have a place in society)

Activity 2: Allow pupils to choose whether they are for or against the idea of cloning and then ask them to create a poster communicating their viewpoint.

Activity 3: Ask your class to vote on whether they are ‘for’ or ‘against’ cloning and document the results. Pupils can present the results as a pie chart or bar graph.

Adapted from an original document created by The Edmonton Telus Science Center.

EDUCATOR’S RESOURCE GUIDE 15