Read the following two chapters
- Book 3, Chapter I (The Altered World)Links to an external site.
- Book 3, Chapter V (The Giant Leaguer)
- You can view the entire bookLinks to an external site. at this link if you wish
Watch the video of the TED Talk "How CRISPR Lets Us Edit Our DNA" and Q&A with Dr. Jennifer Doudna, the co-inventor of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing.
- Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_doudna_how_cris... to an external site.
Read article "5 Reasons Why We Need People with Disabilities in The CRISPR Debates" by Dr. Emily Beitiks from the Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State
Inspiration
In the final chapter of H.G. Wells' The Food of the Gods and How It Came to Earth, the giants' leader, Cossar’s eldest son, states that growth is the TRUE law of nature – the death of the old, the birth of the new – and that giants will inherit the earth come what may, as part of the never-ending process which will carry humanity towards complete knowledge of the universe. He proclaims his manifesto before the Prime Minister and all those present, stating:
"It is not that we would oust the little people from the world,’ he said, ‘in order that we, who are no more than one step upwards from their littleness, may hold their world for ever. It is the step we fight for and not ourselves…. We are here, Brothers, to what end? To serve the spirit and the purpose that has been breathed into our lives. We fight not for ourselves – for we are but the momentary hands and eyes of the Life of the World. So you, Father Redwood, taught us. Through us and through the little folk the Spirit looks and learns. From us by word and birth and act it must pass – to still greater lives. This earth is no resting place; this earth is no playing place, else indeed we might put our throats to the little people’s knife, having no greater right to live than they. And they in their turn might yield to the ants and vermin. We fight not for ourselves but for growth – growth that goes on for ever. To-morrow, whether we live or die, growth will conquer through us. That is the law of the spirit for ever more. To grow according to the will of God! To grow out of these cracks and crannies, out of these shadows and darknesses, into greatness and the light! Greater,’ he said, speaking with slow deliberation, ‘greater, my Brothers! And then – still greater. To grow, and again – to grow. To grow at last into the fellowship and understanding of God. Growing…. Till the earth is no more than a footstool…. Till the spirit shall have driven fear into nothingness, and spread….’ He swung his arm heavenward: – ‘There!’
Assignment
A manifesto is a declaration of aims and policy. Often used in a political context, it is also useful to apply to arts and social change work. This assignment asks you to articulate and commit to a statement regarding the ethical questions posed in the final chapters of The Food of the Gods. It asks the question, "What do you believe?"
You may choose to write your manifesto from the creative, fictionalized perspective of one of the giants in H.G. Wells story OR you may choose to write your manifesto as a personal assignment using your own voice and lived experiences.
On a separate document briefly describe A COMPLEX PROBLEM INTRODUCED IN THE SCI FI STORY WE EXPLORED ("THE FOOD OF THE GODS") AND IDENTIFY HOW AT LEAST THREE DISCIPLINES MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN ITS POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS. HOW HAS EXPLORING THIS INTERDISCIPLINARITY IMPACTED THE WAY YOU VIEW YOUR OWN DISCIPLINE AND YOUR PLACE IN IT?