Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

The TOEFL Writing section evaluates your ability to produce academic-level English essays. It comprises two distinct tasks: Integrated Writing and Academic Discussion.

In the Academic Discussion, a professor would give a lecture on a certain topic after which you'll need to evaluate the information and engage in a discussion. Following that, you'll have to express your opinions and present relevant evidence to support the reasons and ideas mentioned.

Practicing on sample tests designed according to the Academic Discussion format is the most effective way to prepare for this section of the exam. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering".

Writing Instructions

• You will read a discussion related to an academic topic in class where your classmates have written their opinions on the said topic.
• You have 10 minutes to prepare and write your personal opinion on the academic topic.
• Try to answer the question based on the discussion. You can also take ideas from the opinions posted by your classmates.
• There is no maximum word limit. However, an effective response should be a minimum of 100 words.
• Your response will be judged on the quality and clarity of your writing with well-supported reasons.

Instructions: Your professor is teaching a class on environmental science. Write a post responding to the professor's question. In your response, you should -

1. express and support your personal opinion,
2. make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Next week, we're going to dive into the ethical effects of genetic engineering. Its a complex topic with many sides, including both potential benefits and risks. Before we start, Id like to hear your thoughts on this question: Do you think the potential benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the ethical concerns? Why or why not?

Emily: I think the potential benefits of genetic engineering do outweigh the ethical concerns. For example, genetic engineering can lead to big medical advancements. It can cure genetic disorders and prevent inherited diseases. These improvements can make life better for many people. Also, genetic engineering in agriculture can create stronger crops. This can help address food shortages and reduce hunger around the world. While ethical concerns are important, the chance to reduce human suffering and improve global food security is too significant to ignore.

Michael: Although I see the potential benefits, I believe the ethical concerns of genetic engineering are too serious to overlook. The chance of unintended consequences is a major risk. These could include creating new diseases or environmental imbalances. In addition, there are worries about social effects, like genetic unfair treatment and the idea of "designer babies." These could make social inequalities worse. We need to move forward very carefully and make sure ethical guidelines and regulations are in place to prevent misuse and unintended harm.

Wait! Let's learn more about the TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus before checking out the sample answers to the Academic Discussion Writing task!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on - Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering

We’ve included two sample responses for the Writing Academic Discussion Task—one illustrating a high-level response and the other a mid-level response. Reviewing these examples will help you understand the scoring criteria for each level and enhance your writing skills as a result.

High-level Response

While Emily makes a compelling argument about the benefits of genetic engineering, I find myself agreeing more with Michael's perspective. The ethical concerns surrounding genetic engineering are indeed significant and cannot be dismissed lightly. The potential for unintended consequences, such as new diseases or environmental imbalances, is a serious risk that we must consider. Moreover, the social implications, like genetic discrimination and the concept of "designer babies," could exacerbate existing social inequalities.

However, I do acknowledge the potential benefits, particularly in medicine and agriculture. Genetic engineering could indeed cure genetic disorders and create more resilient crops, addressing food shortages. But these advancements must be pursued with stringent ethical guidelines and regulations to prevent misuse. The balance between innovation and ethical responsibility is delicate, and we must tread carefully to ensure that the benefits do not come at an unacceptable ethical cost.

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-structured argument. The student effectively engages with both Emily's and Michael's points, providing a balanced view that acknowledges the potential benefits while emphasizing the ethical concerns. The response is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the discussion. The first paragraph aligns with Michael's concerns about unintended consequences and social implications, while the second paragraph recognizes the potential benefits but stresses the need for ethical guidelines. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and the response is free from grammatical errors. Overall, the student demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic and contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Mid-level Response

I think genetic engineering has both good and bad sides. Like Emily said, it can help cure diseases and make stronger crops. This can be really good for people and help with food shortages. But, I also agree with Michael that there are big risks. We might create new problems like diseases or mess up the environment. Also, the idea of "designer babies" is scary and could make social problems worse.

We need to be very careful with genetic engineering. There should be strong rules to make sure it is used in a good way. The benefits are great, but we can't ignore the risks.

Rater’s Comment

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and clarity of a higher-scoring response. The student addresses both the benefits and risks of genetic engineering, aligning with points made by Emily and Michael. However, the argument is not as well-developed or nuanced. The response contains some grammatical errors, such as "Like Emily said" instead of "As Emily mentioned," and "there are big risks" instead of "there are significant risks." Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "really good" and "scary." While the student makes a valid contribution to the discussion, the response could benefit from more detailed reasoning and a more formal tone.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task on - Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering

Now it's time to dive into the expert tips we've shared and put them into practice with TOEFL Writing mock tests. Check out the strategies below for approaching an academic discussion task.

• Carefully read the professor's questions and responses from other students. Identify key arguments presented on both sides of the debate.

• A well-rounded response addresses the opposing viewpoint. While supporting your own position, briefly explain why the drawbacks or opposing side may still be valid but less significant.

• Acknowledge potential drawbacks to your position and strengthen your argument with relevant examples.

• Structure your response clearly with an introduction, body paragraphs addressing both sides and a conclusion that summarizes your argument.

Feeling confident after exploring the sample response and writing strategies? Put your knowledge into practice! All the best!

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