Question

    A research was carried out by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. It comes after a Chinese scientist claimed in November to have created the world’s first gene-edited human babies. More than 1,000 people were questioned in the study. The researchers said Americans value the medical promise of technology that could change the genetic qualities human parents pass on to their children. But they worry whether it will be used in a moral way.

Gene editing takes out a part of DNA to remove, replace or repair a gene. Changes to adult cells only affect the person being treated. But editing genes in eggs, sperm or embryos (胚胎) can change the resulting child in ways that can be passed to future generations. Because of its important effects, international science guidelines say gene-editing should not yet be tested in human pregnancies. Scientists say more laboratory research is needed to prove whether or not it is safe.

The AP-NORC study suggests that 71 percent of Americans approve of using gene editing to prevent deadly diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and Huntington’s disease. The study found that 65 percent of Americans would approve of using gene editing to prevent conditions such as blindness. There also was support for using the technology to reduce the risk of diseases that might develop later in life, such as cancer.

However, 66 percent of Americans oppose using gene editing to change qualities such as intelligence or athletic ability. They also oppose changing physical qualities such as eye color or height, the study found.

Dr. Robert Klitzman studies biological research rules. He noted that, if fertility clinics start to edit the genes of embryos, there will be hard choices to make about what conditions can be changed.

What if scientists could identify genes involved with depression or autism or high body weight? Would they be acceptable to edit? “It’s one thing to look at the extremes of fatal diseases versus cosmetic things, but in the middle are going to be these very different issues,” Klitzman said.

1.What can be learned about editing genes in embryos?

A.It can only affect the embryos being treated.

B.It will be completely safe to the embryos.

C.The effect can be passed to future generations.

D.It can be done without any laboratory research.

2.What did Klitzman worry about?

A.It’s difficult to decide what to change when editing genes.

B.It’ s hard for scientist to identify genes.

C.Gene editing will be used to prevent fatal diseases.

D.Gene editing is not supported by the government.

3.What can we conclude about the result of the research?

A.71% of Americans agree to use gene editing to prevent blindness.

B.Gene editing is a promising technology that should be widely used.

C.Americans approve of gene editing only for health purposes.

D.Most Americans are indifferent to the new technology.

4.What does the underlined word “autism” in the last paragraph refer to?

A.A kind of disease. B.An unhealthy baby.

C.A disabled person. D.A mood of happiness.

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.C

4.A

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。基因编辑是一种非常先进的科技，但是对于这种新科技的使用却存在巨大的争议，本文介绍了一项研究表明美国人同意基因编辑只用于健康目的。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段But editing genes in eggs, sperm or embryos (胚胎) can change the resulting child in ways that can be passed to future generations.可知在胚胎里的基因编辑产生的影响可能会被传给后代。故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据He noted that, if fertility clinics start to edit the genes of embryos, there will be hard choices to make about what conditions can be changed.可知，他指出，如果生育诊所开始编辑胚胎的基因，将很难决定哪些情况可以改变。所以Klitzman担心的是在编辑基因时很难做出选择该改变什么。故选A。

3.推理判断题。根据第三段The AP-NORC study suggests that 71 percent of Americans approve of using gene editing to prevent deadly diseases,可知71%的美国人同意基因编辑用于预防致命疾病； The study found that 65 percent of Americans would approve of using gene editing to prevent conditions such as blindness.提到65%的美国人同意使用基因编辑预防失明这种状况； There also was support for using the technology to reduce the risk of diseases that might develop later in life, such as cancer.提到美国人还支持使用基因编辑减少潜在的疾病危险。结合以上内容判断出美国人同意基因编辑用于健康目的。故选C。

4.词义猜测题。最后一段What if scientists could identify genes involved with depression or autism or high body weight?提到了三种情况：depression（抑郁）， autism和high body weight（肥胖），由此可推断出autism应该也是一种疾病。故选A。