Essential and guiding questions:
- What is the author’s purpose in the article?
- Within your small group, come to a consensus on the meaning of the following words:
- Malignant
- Carcinogens
- Mutations
- Categorize the two types of cancer genes that mutations affect. Compare the results of the activation of each type of gene.
- In the last sentence of the text, the author uses the word axiomatic. Explain why he may have chosen to use this word instead of a more general synonym.
- The author says, “A cause by definition, leads invariably to its effect.” If cancer is the effect, what are the causes stated by the author?
- What is the author’s reasoning for shifting from the common, accepted causes of cancer to the scientific causes?