Scientist Says ‘No’ to Human Cloning
“I’ve never met a human worth cloning,” says cloning expert Mark Westhusin from his lab at Texas A&M University. “It’s a stupid endeavor.”
That’s an interesting choice of adjective, coming from a man who has spent millions of dollars trying to clone a 13-year-old dog named Missy. So far, he and his team have not succeeded, though they have cloned two cows and a cat.
They just might succeed in cloning Missy soon — or perhaps not for another five years.
Westhusin's experience with cloning animals leaves him upset by all this talk of human cloning. In three years of work on the Missy project, using hundreds upon hundreds of dog's eggs, the A&M team has produced only a dozen or so embryos carrying Missy's DNA. None have survived the transfer to a surrogate(代孕的)mother. The wastage of eggs and the many spontaneously aborted(流产,发育不全) fetuses(胎)may be acceptable when you're dealing with cats or bulls, he argues, but not with humans. “Cloning is incredibly inefficient, and also dangerous,” he says.
Even so, dog cloning is a commercial opportunity, with a nice research payoff. Ever since Dolly the sheep was cloned in 1997, Westhusin's phone has been ringing with people calling in hopes of duplicating their cats and dogs, cattle and horses. “A lot of people want to clone pets, especially if the price is right,” says Westhusin. Cost is no obstacle for Missy's mysterious billionaire owner; he's put up $3.7 million so far to fund A&M's research.
Contrary to some media reports, Missy is not dead. The owner wants a twin to carry on Missy's fine qualities after she does die. The prototype(原型;雏形)is, by all accounts, athletic, good-natured and supersmart. Missy's master does not expect an exact copy of her. He knows her clone may not have her temperament(气质、性情). In a statement of purpose, Missy's owner and the A&M team say they are “both looking forward to studying the ways that her clones differ from Missy.”
Besides cloning a great dog, the project may contribute insight into the old question of nature vs. nurture. It could also lead to the cloning of special rescue dogs and many endangered animals.
However, Westhusin is cautious about his work. He knows that even if he gets a dog pregnant, the offspring, should they survive, will face the problems shown at birth by other cloned animals: abnormalities like immature lungs and heart and weight problems~ “Why would you ever want to clone humans,” Westhusin asks, “when we're not even close to getting it worked out in animals yet?”
【小题1】By “stupid endeavor”, Westhusin means to say that ________.
A.human cloning is a foolish undertaking |
B.animal cloning is absolutely impractical |
C.human cloning should be done selectively |
D.animal cloning is not worth the effort at all |
A.Its success is already in sight. |
B.It is progressing smoothly. |
C.It is doomed to utter failure. |
D.Its outcome remains uncertain. |
A.study the possibility of cloning humans |
B.search for ways to modify its temperament |
C.find out the differences between Missy and its clones |
D.examine the reproductive system of the dog species |
A.a bad temper |
B.defective(有缺陷的、有毛病的)organs |
C.immune deficiency |
D.an abnormal shape |
科目:高中英语 来源:2015届江苏省沭阳县高一下学期期中调研测试英语试卷(解析版) 题型:完型填空
完形填空(共20小题;每小题1分,满分20分)?
阅读下面短文,从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项
Would you agree with the statement that a wish is born from an idea, a simple idea imagined in the mind? Back in the 19th century two men had an idea which in the end became their great 36 . The efforts they had made were rewarded(奖赏) with their success that 37 world travel.
In 1903, the Wright Brothers (Wilbur and Orville) achieved their dream. They flew the world’s first power-driven, heavier-than-air machine by which they made free, controlled and sustained(持久的) 38 . Kitty Hawk, North Carolina(美国地名) 39 this important and memorable moment.
The dream started with an idea that was planted in their minds by a 40 given to them by their father. In the words of the boys, “Our father came into the house one evening with some object in his hands, and 41 we could see what it was, he threw it into the air. Instead of falling to the floor, the toy flew across the room 42 it hit the ceiling(天花板), where it finally sank to the 43 .” This simple toy attracted the Wright Brothers and started their lifelong 44 in human flight.
The Wright Brothers 45 learning new things. 46 they opened their own printing office and then in 1893 they opened a company where they repaired bicycles. But Wilbur had his mind set on something more 47 . He decided to pursue(致力于) 48 .
The brothers spent many hours researching, 49 their machines and making improvements. What started out as a 50 soon became a career. With determination and 51 they realized their dream in 1903.
The next time you hear or see an airplane or travel on one, 52 where it all started. A simple idea was developed in the minds of the two young men who didn’t have a university degree. They were not scientists in the 53 sense of the world.
What idea are you working on? Have you limited yourself by saying you are not a scientist or not 54 enough? Whatever the mind can think and believe, it can be 55 .
1. A.time B.dream C.pressure D.fortune
2. A.combined B.replaced C.explored D.changed
3. A.flight B.ride C.contribution D.achievement
4. A.wanted B.witnessed C.proved D.needed
5. A.bicycle B.airplane C.document D.toy
6. A.before B.when C.after D.while
7. A.until B.since C.if D.but
8. A.desk B.floor C.street D.road
9. A.discovery B.trip C.interest D.devotion
10. A.considered B.enjoyed C.admitted D.imagined
11. A.Actually B.Finally C.Usually D.Firstly
12. A.average B.powerful C.exciting D.fortunate
13. A.dancing B.singing C.flying D.writing
14. A.testing B.watching C.designing D.examining
15. A.hobby B.gift C.trouble D.trick
16. A.distinction B.explanation C.expression D.patience
17. A.forget B.ask C.remember D.expect
18. A.hopeful B.true C.wealthy D.energetic
19. A.funny B.polite C.outgoing D.clever
20. A.defeated B.achieved C.recognized D.organized
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DONALD SLOAN |
||
Gates Hall University of Kansas Lawrence, KS 66045 913-243-1682 |
After May 2009: 46 Clayton Drive St. Louis, MO 63130 314-726-8840 |
|
Objective |
To work with the client (委托人) population in a social service position. |
|
Education |
B.A., University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 2009 Major: Social Services Minor: Applied Psychology |
|
Experience |
Assistant Activities Supervisor, Fairview Nursing Home, Lawrence, KS, November 2006-present. Help organize and implement recreational activities for nursing home residents. Activities include crafts, dances, day trips, sing-alongs, and visiting performers. Hotline Volunteer. Teen Crisis Center, Lawrence, KS, September 2006- May 2007. Handled crisis calls from teenagers in the community. Dealt with drug use, unwanted pregnancies, failing grades, and the breakdown of parent-teen relationships. Nurse’s Aide, Danyers General Hospital, St. Louis, MO, Summer 2006. Assisted nurses in patient care. Took histories, updated charts, and helped prepare patients for surgery. |
|
Activities |
University Concert Board. Work with other board members to plan and implement on-campus concerts. Senior Gift Campaign. Help manage the campaign to raise funds for the senior class gift to the university. Residence Hall Programming Board. Planned social events for Eggar Residence Hall. |
|
Skills |
Fluent in French. Water safety instructor. Skilled at working with people. |
|
Interests |
Skiing, softball, classical music, and guitar. |
|
1.This passage is most probably ______.
A.an advertisement for enrolling new employees |
B.a school report at the end of an academic year |
C.a self-introduction meant to apply for a job |
D.a part of a recommendation letter from a university |
2. According to the “Experience” section, we can infer that Donald Sloan can be _____ .
A.a wise leader |
B.a skillful performer |
C.a gifted scientist |
D.a good social worker |
3. From the passage we can learn that Donald Sloan ______.
A.is good at singing and dancing |
B.is about to graduate from a university |
C.has an interest in being a surgeon |
D.specializes in psychology |
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The hole in the earth's protective ozone layer(臭氧层)won't repair itself until about two decades later than had been expected, scientists announced.
The ozone layer blocks more than 90 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation(紫外线辐射), helping to make life on Earth possible. For many dacades, ozone was depleted(削减) by chlorine and bromine gas in the air. A hole in the ozone layer formed over the Southern Hemisphere.
Computer models had forecast that the hole would fill back in by 2050. An improved computer model forecasts the recovery won't occur until 2068. The model, fed with fresh data from statellites and airplanes, was supported by the fact that it accurately reproduced ozone levels in the Antarctic stratosphere(平流层)over the past 27 years.
The ozone hole is actually more of a broad region with less ozone than ought to occur naturally. It is not limited to Antarctica, as is often believed.
Over areas that are farther from the poles like Africa or the US, the levels of ozone are only three to six percent below natural levels. Over Antarctica, ozone levels are 70 percent lower in the spring. This new method allows us to more accurately estimate(估计)ozone-depleting gases over Antarctica, and how they will decrease over time, reducing the ozone hole area.
Paul Newman, a scientist,said that the ozone hole has not started to become smaller as quickly as expected. They figure it will not become much smaller until 2018, after which time the recovery should proceed more quickly. And the hole will not be filled in again until 2065.
1.According to the passage, the ozone layer _______
A.absorbs as much as sunlight as possible |
B.protects man against ultraviolet radiation |
C.controls the changes in temperature |
D.prevents the production of carbon dioxide |
2.The improved computer model is believable because _________
A.it was once proved by facts |
B.it has been studied for 27 years |
C.it was created by many scientists |
D.it is related to satellites and airplanes |
3.The underlined word “they” in the fifth paragraph refers to ________
A.the levels of ozone |
B.ozone-depleting gases |
C.the ozone holes |
D.the areas far from the poles |
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You Mi, a lovely and confident 17-year-old student, is the first Chinese high school student to appear on the cover of the popular young adults’ fashion magazine Seventeen.
“You is IN,” said Wang Lihua,Editor-in-Chief of Seventeen. “She is active and mature (成熟) because of her knowledge on everything from academic studies,to books on art,to movies. We find she’s the very style we’re looking for to represent young people’s attitudes.”
You also impressed Wang with her fluent English when they first met last year. As the hostess of an English broadcasting program at the High School Affiliated to Renmin University(人大附中), You is always praised for speaking English almost like a native speaker. “I’ve built up my English by watching thousands of English DVDs since I was 10,” she explained.
But for You,watching isn’t enough. Last year,while in Senior 1, she met a talented (有才能的) boy who showed self-made DV movies at the English Corner in her school.
“I thought it was so cool and I knew that I should start making my own films,” she said. So she wrote a campus (校园) story, persuaded schoolmates to star in it and then began shooting a 30-minute DV movie,all in English. “I played one of the leading roles,actually I was everything in my film. I worked on it every day during the holidays,” she recalled. The movie finally became a big hit on campus,earning You a strong reputation(名气) as a DV movie director.
But this is not the only field she wants to master. Though a science student, You likes art, literature and fashion design very much.
“There are people who can be artists,there are people who edit books, and there are people who become film producers. But I just hope to mix all the things up!” she said. “There is an old saying I believe:Chances favor only the prepared mind.”
1.You Mi was chosen to be a cover of Seventeen, mainly because she _____.
A.is beautiful |
B.she is lovely and full of confidence |
C.is active and mature |
D.has rich knowledge |
2.You Mi’s fluent English is based on _____.
A.her chance to host an English broadcasting program |
B.the influence of her parents |
C.her deep interest in it |
D.her making DV movie |
3.The author mentioned a talented boy to show _____.
A.the great influence he had on You Mi |
B.he was admired by his schoolmates |
C.the young can do things as well as the adults do |
D.DV movies are popular at school |
4.In the 30-minute DV movie,You Mi didn’t act as a(n) _____.
A.director |
B.musician |
C.actress |
D.film-maker |
5.We can learn from the passage that _____.
A.You Mi hopes to be a mixed talent. |
B.the success of a 30-minute DV movie surprised You Mi. |
C.You Mi dreams of becoming a scientist. |
D.You Mi doesn’t like to study during holidays. |
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科目:高中英语 来源:2012年人教版高中英语必修五Unit1练习卷(解析版) 题型:单项填空
From my point of view, the theory that ______ by the scientist is not quite scientific.
A.was risen |
B.brought up |
C.had been raised |
D.was put forward |
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