tl guide DoubleHelixb 1
Double Helix by Nancy Werlin
Teacher’s Guide
Page 1 of 1
TEACHER’S GUIDE:
Double Helix: a novel by Nancy Werlin
Double Helix | Nancy Werlin | Dial | March, 2004 | 256 p. | $15.99 | ISBN: 0-8037-2606-6
Reading Level: Middle and high school.
Interest Level: Middle and high school.
Curriculum Areas: English, Biology, Ethics, Psychology.
NOTE TO TEACHERS
Double Helix provides a contemporary look at many of the biological and ethical issues postulated in Aldous Huxley’s classic Brave New World, but from the point of view of a teenager, and wrapped in the cloak of a suspense thriller.
Double Helix is appropriate for use in a science curriculum as well as an English curriculum. It discusses the morality of genetic engineering and the dangers and opportunities it presents, and encourages discussion of a major “hot button” issue. The book is not science fiction; the ethical and reproductive choices presented in the book will be choices that the current generation of children will have to face as adults. The ambiguous ending allows a variety of scenarios to be imagined or discussed, and the accurate portrayal of methods of genetic engineering and manipulation gives students an understanding of the processes used today, as well as ones that might be used in the future.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Eighteen year old Eli Samuels has just graduated from high school and lucked into a job at Wyatt
Transgenics—offered to him by Dr. Quincy Wyatt, the legendary molecular biologist. The salary is substantial, the work is interesting, and Dr. Wyatt seems to be paying special attention to Eli.
Is it too good to be true? Eli’s girlfriend doesn’t think so, but his father is vehemently against his taking the job and won’t explain why. Eli knows that there’s some connection between Dr.
Wyatt and his parents—something too painful for his father to discuss. Something to do with his mother, who is now debilitated by Huntington’s disease. As Eli works at the lab, and spends time with Dr. Wyatt, he begins
Teacher’s Guide
Page 1 of 1
TEACHER’S GUIDE:
Double Helix: a novel by Nancy Werlin
Double Helix | Nancy Werlin | Dial | March, 2004 | 256 p. | $15.99 | ISBN: 0-8037-2606-6
Reading Level: Middle and high school.
Interest Level: Middle and high school.
Curriculum Areas: English, Biology, Ethics, Psychology.
NOTE TO TEACHERS
Double Helix provides a contemporary look at many of the biological and ethical issues postulated in Aldous Huxley’s classic Brave New World, but from the point of view of a teenager, and wrapped in the cloak of a suspense thriller.
Double Helix is appropriate for use in a science curriculum as well as an English curriculum. It discusses the morality of genetic engineering and the dangers and opportunities it presents, and encourages discussion of a major “hot button” issue. The book is not science fiction; the ethical and reproductive choices presented in the book will be choices that the current generation of children will have to face as adults. The ambiguous ending allows a variety of scenarios to be imagined or discussed, and the accurate portrayal of methods of genetic engineering and manipulation gives students an understanding of the processes used today, as well as ones that might be used in the future.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Eighteen year old Eli Samuels has just graduated from high school and lucked into a job at Wyatt
Transgenics—offered to him by Dr. Quincy Wyatt, the legendary molecular biologist. The salary is substantial, the work is interesting, and Dr. Wyatt seems to be paying special attention to Eli.
Is it too good to be true? Eli’s girlfriend doesn’t think so, but his father is vehemently against his taking the job and won’t explain why. Eli knows that there’s some connection between Dr.
Wyatt and his parents—something too painful for his father to discuss. Something to do with his mother, who is now debilitated by Huntington’s disease. As Eli works at the lab, and spends time with Dr. Wyatt, he begins