Oryx and Crake

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What are the ethical responsibilities of scientists? To what moral standards should they adhere? Who should enforce such standards, and how?

Teaching Suggestion: Prior to responding, develop class definitions of the terms ethics and morality. Record them for viewing by all.

• From the Center for the Study of Technology and Society, “The Moral Challenge of Modern Science” by Yuval Levin takes up the issue of whether science itself is neutral but subject to the decisions humans make about how to use it.
• “The Science of Morality” by Chris Palmer discusses the role of the brain in determining people’s sense of morality.
• The National Human Genome Research Institute defines genetic engineering.

Short Activity

Oryx and Crake can be classified as post-apocalyptic fiction. Working with a partner, research this genre and create an infographic that defines it and gives some examples. Your infographic should answer the following questions and may also include other facts you think are important:

• What is post-apocalyptic fiction?
• What are some common themes or scenarios in a post-apocalyptic story?
• What aspects of human nature can be explored effectively in post-apocalyptic fiction?
• What are some examples of books and/or movies in this genre?