1. For each of the 3 countries, give the following information:
a) capital
b) location/the countries that share its borders
c) the religious breakdown of the population
d) the type of government
e) the chief of state (and head of government if different) If monarch or dictator, since what date has he/she ruled? – include name of heir apparent for monarch
f) the population
[Find the answers at the CIA World FactBook website. For each country, answers can be found under the “Geography” “People” and “Government” headings.  NOTE: Some answers can still be found at the WorldFactBook (a, b and d)  — however, we have determined that it is no longer always accurate for c, e and f.  Instead, the most accurate for these answers is Wikipedia – search there for “Religion in ___” or “Politics of ____” for the leaders.  Just do an internet search for “Population of ___.”]

NOTE to students: Before answering the questions below, read the info under “Background” and watch the videos under “Resources.”

2. For GERMANY:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Where was Dachau?
c) When was the Dachau concentration camp set up?
d) When was Dachau liberated?
e) Dachau was the first concentration camp set up by the Nazis. How many people were murdered or died from their horrific treatment there?
f) Abba Naor, a Lithuanian-born former Dachau prisoner who now lives in Israel, said that some Nazi SS commanders were "loving fathers who played with their children after they had driven thousands into the gas chambers. If you think the Nazis were inhuman, then you're wrong. They were humans like you and me. And that is what is so terrible." Read about the Holocaust at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum website.
Why is it so important to know about the Holocaust today?

3. For CHINA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Human Genetics Alert (HGA) is a secular, independent public interest watchdog group, based in London. They inform people about human genetics issues, and put forward clear policies that serve the public interest. How did the director of HGA respond to the news from China?
c) Read some FAQ about techno-eugenics at the HGA website: hgalert.org. Differing from this group, advocates of gene editing say that it could eradicate devastating inherited disease. But others are worried that it crosses an ethical line, allowing children to be genetically engineered. What do you think: just because we can do something, should we? Explain your answer.
d) Dr. Francis Collins, director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health said modifying the DNA of embryos is a “line that should not be crossed.” He said there are big ethical questions and no compelling medical reason to do it. Ask a parent: why is genetic engineering wrong? Why are Christians so opposed to this research? Is having a good medical reason ok to do it despite the ethical reasons against it? Explain your answer.

4. For NORTH KOREA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) The Chinese estimates reflect growing concern in Beijing over North Korea’s weapons program and what they see as U.S. inaction while President Barack Obama focuses on a nuclear deal with Iran. What do you think of China’s concern? Is it legitimate? Should we take China’s warning seriously? Explain your answers.