Notes

Muggles writings : 1300 / 1000 BC (the Epic of Gilgamesh). Fanged, fire-breathing, serpent-like creatures.
Muggle myth : knight Sir Heinrich came in contact with dragon blood and it killed him (Muggle intolerance to a substance of such intense magical energy).

Every part of a dragon can be used for potions.
- blood (12 uses : anaesthetic, painkiller, cleaning agent, disinfecting agent, and poisons)
- heartstring (in wand, one of the most powerful core)
- dragon claws, dung, horn, hide, liver, and meat
- dragon liver (for antidotes)
- Chinese fireball eggs : fertility and luck potions
- dragon claws : boost memory and intelligence. /!\ side effects : wear down nervous system, lead to functionality and memory "crash"

Most powerful magic and magically resistant (dragon skin and organs impervious to magic, even after their death).- dragon liver is really hard to cut and cutting spell can backfire

Magic immunity comes from the MRCA (Most Recent Common Ancestor) of all 10 dragons species. 
Dragonologists think that it is coded in a gene in dragons' DNA. It could be used for spells and tools, and even to modify other organisms' genetics to increase magical immunity (ethics !).

1709 : Warlocks' Convention forbids dragon breeding.
Dragon sanctuaries dedicated to the preservation and study of dragons.Dragon eggs : Class A Non-Tradeable Material (but black market). 

Essay

Prompt

In today’s lesson we discuss the research of dragon DNA as a means to hopefully discover the secret of their magical resistance. In an essay of AT LEAST 250 words, please cover the following:

• What are researchers hoping to uncover? Which trait of dragons are they researching?

• Benefits this discovery could have for Magical and/or Non-Magical creatures.

• Dangers and harm this discovery could cause Magical and/or Non-Magical creatures.

• Ethical questions this research raises. Please remember to include:

• Ethics of research before discovery.

• Ethics of implementation or practice after discovery.

Response

Today, we've discussed dragons and their natural magical immunity. Since all dragons share this ability, researchers believe that there might be a gene responsible for their resistance in their DNA. They are hoping to find this gene and incorporate it into other creatures' organisms, to improve their own magical resistance.

This could be really useful for improving magical immunity of endanger species, or event our pets, to grant them better protection. However, it could also create imbalance between creature, and disrupt food chain.

This research raises several ethical questions. First, one could object that it's not "right" to modify creatures' DNA, and that we should respect the way the nature created them. Religious people could also think this is an insult to their God(s).

Secondly, since this research implies working directly on dragons, it could disturb or even harm dragons in their sanctuaries. They are wild creatures and I can't imagine them sitting calmly in a lab while scientists experiment on them. They will have to be captured and sedated, which is dangerous and may anger them.

Even if scientists succeed in finding the gene responsible for dragons' magical immunity, it might not be tolerated by some creatures. Dragons are highly magical creatures, and the experiments could harm creatures not used to magic, when the study's goal is to protect them.

In wrong hands, the gene might be applied to dangerous creatures. It could also be applied to creatures in order to use them to build better tools. For example, fire-crabs that are already hunt for their shell could be "improved" to make even more resistant cauldrons.