It’s long been a scientific dream: to give people a special vaccine before birth to prevent them from getting terrible illnesses. Gene editing ( 基因编辑 ) is one way in which we could do this. But this method has also created some discussion.
In an online video posted on Nov. 26, 2018, He Jiankui, a researcher at the Southern University of Science and Technology, said that he had helped to make the world’s first genetically edited babies.
The babies are twin girls who were born in November. Their father had HIV. The twins’ genes were edited in order to prevent them from suffering from the HIV virus.
He said he chose to do this because HIV is widespread in China. “I feel such a strong duty not only to be the first to do this, but also to set an example,” he told AP.
But his actions caused many questions. Although gene editing may help to prevent disease, many people are wondering if it is safe and ethical to use it on humans.
Some believe that gene editing could be useful to HIV patients. HIV is “a large and growing public health problem”, according to Harvard Medical School genetic professor George Church. Using gene editing for HIV is “a good idea”, Church told AP.
However, others think that gene editing is still in its experimental periods and could result in terrible changes. “It could cause genetic problems later in life, including the development of cancer,” Julian Savulescu from the University of Oxford told BBC News.
Others fear that people might use gene editing technology to make “designer ( 设计的 ) babies”. It would give parents the ability to choose everything from their baby’s eye colour to their IQ.
“You could find wealthy parents buying the latest ‘upgrades’ for their children, leading to even greater unfairness than we already live with,” Marcy Darnovsky, director of the San Francisco Center for Genetics told BBC News.
1 . What do we know about He Jiankui?
A . He was the first person to edit genes.
B . He made the twins suffer from HIV when he edited their genes.
C . He made the world’s first genetically edited babies.
D . He was the first person whose genes were edited.
2 . Who agreed that gene editing could be helpful to HIV patients?
A . George Church. B . Julian Savulescu.
C . Marcy Darnovsky. D . Chinese researchers.
3 . The underlined word “ethical” in the passage probably means “________”.
A .合乎常情的 B .道德的 C .有价值的 D .有效的
4 . According to the story, we know that gene editing ________.
A . is supported by the writer B . is good for wealthy people
C . causes some heated argument D . has been used widely in the UK
5 . What does “designer babies” mean in the passage?
A . Parents can change their baby’s eye colour.
B . Parents are able to choose their baby’s height.
C . Parents can give their baby everything that he or she likes.
D . Parents have a chance to prevent their baby from suffering from the virus.
1 . C
2 . A
3 . B
4 . C
5 . B
【分析】
本文讲述了通过基因编辑可以决定从眼睛颜色到智力的一切东西。南方科技大学的研究员贺建奎制造了世界上第一批基因编辑婴儿,目前这项技术的合理性引起了强烈的争论。
1. 细节理解题。根据 “In an online video posted on Nov. 26, 2018, He Jiankui, a researcher at the Southern University of Science and Technology, said that he had helped to make the world’s first genetically edited babies.” 可知,在 2018 年 11 月 26 日发布的一段网络视频中,南方科技大学研究员贺建奎表示,他帮助制造了世界上第一批基因编辑婴儿。故选 C 。
2. 细节理解题。根据 “Using gene editing for HIV is ‘a good idea’, Church told AP.” 可知, George Church 同意基因编辑对艾滋病患者有帮助,故选 A 。
3. 词义猜测题。分析 “Although gene editing may help to prevent disease, many people are wondering if it is safe and ethical to use it on humans.” 可知,虽然基因编辑可能有助于预防疾病,但许多人都想知道,在人类身上使用基因编辑是否安全和道德。所以 ethical 的意思是 “ 道德的 ” ,故选 B 。
4. 推理判断题。根据 “But this method has also created some discussion.” 以及后文人们对于基因编辑的不同看法可知,根据这篇报道,我们知道基因编辑引发了一些激烈的争论。故选 C 。
5. 推理判断题。根据 “Others fear that people might use gene editing technology to make “designer ( 设计的 ) babies”. It would give parents the ability to choose everything from their baby’s eye colour to their IQ.” 可知,其他人则担心人们可能会使用基因编辑技术制造 “ 设计婴儿 ” ,这将使父母有能力选择一切,从孩子的眼睛颜色到智商。故选 B 。