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Bilingual Debate Competition Second Round

November 17, 2017

Bilingual Debate Competition Second Round

On November 15th, students from Shanghai High School and Shanghai High School International Division engaged in a heated discussion on the topic of whether the genetic engineering of animals should be allowed. Each team consisted of four students, two from the local and two from the international division. Together as a team, each group formulated their ideas in preparation for this clash.

The format of this debate was designed to have four major rounds alternating the language of discussion between Chinese and English. Each round consisted of two three-minute sessions where each position was granted the opportunity to articulate their ideas or counterarguments, and a crossfire session lasting four minutes.

The pro-animal genetic engineering side’s reasoning for its main argument was that this phenomenon is inevitable, advantageous, and evolutionary. Meanwhile, the other side held a view for banning genetic engineering for animals, since it would incur detrimental environmental degradation, potential development of catastrophic military weapons, and the possibility of widening social gaps (due to control over race which could lead to human genetic supremacy). Following a round of clashes, the pro side switched its main focus to government regulations that could inhibit unrecorded control of genetic engineering, and the con side settled on the claim that this was a crime that abused the rights of animals and was totally unethical.

It was especially at the second, third, and fourth rounds where the debate reached its emotional climax. Debaters threw ad hominem attacks on to their opponents, asking whether they had ever learned biology before.

Speakers talked actively with their hands, raised critical questions, and partook in perspective taking. The battle was never at a stalemate. When the final speakers finished, at atmosphere of calm descended upon the room. Speakers from both sides acknowledged one another’s hard work and waited quietly for the debate’s final results. After a few minutes of discussion amongst the judges, the pro-animal genetic engineering side had won the day.

(Written by 11(6) Min Joo Picture by 11(6) Min Joo)