全新版大学英语听说教程第三册 Unit 14

Unit 14

Part B

Text 1

Genetic¹ Engineering: for Better or Worse?

Technology is not only used to build spaceships and high-speed computers. It is also being used to create new plants and animals. This technology is known as genetic engineering. At the moment people all over the world are arguing about its benefits and drawbacks.

Some people are concerned that genetically² engineered plants may harm the environment. Others are worried that they may be dangerous for people to eat.

For many years farmers have crossbred plants to create new types of plants that were, for example, bigger, stronger, or more attractive. Crossbreeding can take many years, however, and it is not precise. Now we can change exact sections of DNA³, so the process is more accurate and faster.

There are many reasons for changing plants in this way. Some genetically engineered plants can live through frost or draught⁴. As a result, farmers can make more profit because fewer plants will die. Other genetically engineered plants are more nutritious⁵, have less fat, taste better or stay fresher than non-genetically engineered plants. This will allow people to buy better-quality fruit and vegetables.

Another advantage of genetically engineered plants is that some can resist natural pests such as viruses or insects. This reduces the amount of chemicals needed to kill pests, which is helpful to the environment.

However, genetically engineered plants can cause unexpected problems. Genetically engineered plants that resist pests may pass on that characteristic to a wild relative. This may cause the wild plant to spread fast, because pests are not naturally killing⁶ it. Genetically engineered plants can also harm animals. A type of corn has been developed that kills a species of insect that destroys it. The pollen⁷ from this corn, however, can also kill monarch⁸ butterflies, which do not harm the corn.

Genetic engineering is a very new science and we have a lot to learn about the good it can do and the damage it can cause. The main concern is that not enough tests are being done to ensure it is safe.

Statements:

1. Genetic engineering is a technology which is being used to _______.

2. Crossbreeding takes a _______ compared with genetic engineering.

3. According to the passage, genetic engineering enables plants to survive with little _______.

4. Genetic engineering can help farmers _______.

5. According to the passage, one of the problems caused by genetic engineering might be_______.

Text 2

Bioethics

Man: I've just been reading this amazing article about genetic engineering. The things they can do now.

Woman: I know, it's frightening, isn't it?

Man: No, not a bit. I mean if we can produce fruit that doesn't rot, animals that eat less and produce more, what's so scary about that?

Woman: OK. But you know those new microorganisms that they are producing. Well, you only need a laboratory accident and the effects would be far more disastrous⁹ than AIDS, for instance.

Man: Why are you always so negative?

Woman: I'm not negative.

Man: Soon I'll be able to have a genetic screening done and they'll be able to tell me what diseases I'm likely to have.

Woman: OK. But what if they tell you you're going to have a disease for which there's currently no known cure? That's not going to be much help, is it?

Man: Yeah, but if I know it's hereditary¹⁰ then I might think twice before having any children.

Woman: But you know where all this is leading, don't you? To a revival¹¹ of eugenics, like they're going to be able to remove potentially harmful genes¹², like the ones that cause criminality, low IQ.

Man: And people like you with a bit of luck!

Woman: No, seriously. They can take a piece of someone's hair now and tell you all about that person's medical life. Now that could be an incredible invasion of someone's privacy.

Man: What do you mean?

Woman: Look. So at your job interview they ask you for a piece of hair, ring you up ten days later or whatever and tell you they don't want to employ you because you've got such and such a disease and you might die in five years.

Man: Don't be absurd.

Woman: I'm not being absurd.

Man: Do you think people would let them get away with that, huh? What is all this? It sounds like you've been reading 1984. Why don't you look on the practical side of things for a change?

Statements:

1. Both the speakers are against genetic engineering.

2. The woman sounds very optimistic about genetic engineering.

3. Genetic screening can tell you what diseases you may possibly develop.

4. Genes that cause criminality or low IQ can be removed from human bodies.

5. A job interviewer will resort to genetic screening to find out whether a job interviewee is healthy or not.

Part C

BBC under Fire over GM Crop Drama

The BBC has been accused of exciting the hysteria surrounding genetically modified crops with a new thriller¹³. The criticism comes from Dr. Mark Tester, who was a scientific adviser¹⁴ on the forthcoming two-part drama, Fields of Gold. Dr. Tester has disowned the thriller, saying he was ignored when he told the BBC the plot was impossible.

Fields of Gold is to be broadcast on June 8 and 9 on BBC1. It follows two journalists investigating a mystery illness threatening the world, which turns out to have been spread by genetically modified wheat. Its central theme is the transfer of genes that are resistant¹⁵ to antibiotics¹⁶ from crops to a superbug.

The BBC said Dr. Tester changed his tune¹⁷ after originally telling them that the central theme was a possibility.

Dr. Tester, who is a lecturer at Cambridge University's Department of Plant Sciences, said, "The program makers¹⁸ had been blinded by their political agenda. It presents ridiculous errors of fact that give rise to anti-GM hysteria."

Dr. Tester said he had also been asked to look at the script before it went to production, and had pointed¹⁹ out the errors then, but was ignored.

However, a BBC spokeswoman said Dr. Tester told the program makers that the story was "unlikely" but "by no means impossible."

She added, "Like many thrillers²⁰, this is a fictional²¹ drama which does not mean to be a documentary. It examines the dramatic consequences of an extreme situation which is the subject of considerable debate amongst the scientific community."

Questions:

1. What is the name of the BBC drama?

2. When would it be broadcast?

3. What were the two journalists investigating in the drama?

4. What was the cause of the illness described in the drama?

5. What did Dr. Mark Tester think of the plot of the drama?

6. What did the BBC say about Dr. Tester?

7. What would the drama give rise to according to Dr. Tester?

Part D

Making a New Mosquito

Bloodsucking mosquitoes are perhaps Earth's most persistent²² pest, delivering malaria²³, yellow fever and a host of other diseases each year to more than half a billion people and killing between 2 million and 3 million. Numerous gallons of pesticides²⁴ are sprayed each year in an effort to wipe out the tiny beasts. But the results have not been good. Many species of mosquitoes have become resistant to insecticides.

For nearly two decades scientists have been thinking of creating a designer mosquito that would have no ability to spread diseases. Finally in 1998, using technologies developed in genetic engineering, scientists succeeded in producing a new type of mosquitoes with red eyes. These mosquitoes not only look different but act in a different way. Every time they suck blood, a substance that recognizes bacteria and kills them will be produced.

The major challenge for scientists today is to create a species of mosquitoes that are incapable²⁵ of transmitting malaria. For this they will have to turn their attention from the laboratory species to malaria-causing species in the wild.

As scientists move closer to their goal, they are facing a growing argument over whether it is practicable or wise to create such genetically engineered creatures and set them loose in the environment. One of the problems is that genetically engineered mosquitoes would need to be created for each of the estimated 100 species that carry illnesses that affect humans. Furthermore, strains of these mosquitoes vary from place to place. Even though these problems can be solved, where is the village or town that wants a million or so biting mosquitoes released?

Statements:

1. Pesticides have gradually become ineffective against many species of mosquitoes.

2. Scientists have been planning to create a designer mosquito to kill existing mosquitoes that spread diseases.

3. It's rather difficult for scientists to put their ideas into practice because mosquitoes are very small.

4. Using GE technology, scientists succeeded in creating a lab mosquito that is blind.

5. The new mosquitoes will soon be set loose in the environment.

6. Many people consider it unwise to create genetically engineered mosquitoes.

7. It's a big problem having to create genetically engineered mosquitoes for every species of disease-spreading mosquito.

1 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

2 genetically   

adv.遗传上

参考例句：

• All the bees in the colony are genetically related. 同一群体的蜜蜂都有亲缘关系。
• Genetically modified foods have already arrived on American dinner tables. 经基因改造加工过的食物已端上了美国人的餐桌。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 基因与食物

3 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

4 draught   

n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计

参考例句：

• He emptied his glass at one draught.他将杯中物一饮而尽。
• It's a pity the room has no north window and you don't get a draught.可惜这房间没北窗，没有过堂风。

5 nutritious   

adj.有营养的，营养价值高的

参考例句：

• Fresh vegetables are very nutritious.新鲜蔬菜富于营养。
• Hummingbirds have discovered that nectar and pollen are very nutritious.蜂鸟发现花蜜和花粉是很有营养的。

6 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

7 pollen   

n.[植]花粉

参考例句：

• Hummingbirds have discovered that nectar and pollen are very nutritious.蜂鸟发现花蜜和花粉是很有营养的。
• He developed an allergy to pollen.他对花粉过敏。

8 monarch   

n.帝王，君主，最高统治者

参考例句：

• The monarch's role is purely ceremonial.君主纯粹是个礼仪职位。
• I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth.我觉得这个时候比世界上什么帝王都快乐。

9 disastrous   

adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的

参考例句：

• The heavy rainstorm caused a disastrous flood.暴雨成灾。
• Her investment had disastrous consequences.She lost everything she owned.她的投资结果很惨，血本无归。

10 hereditary   

adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的

参考例句：

• The Queen of England is a hereditary ruler.英国女王是世袭的统治者。
• In men,hair loss is hereditary.男性脱发属于遗传。

11 revival   

n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振

参考例句：

• The period saw a great revival in the wine trade.这一时期葡萄酒业出现了很大的复苏。
• He claimed the housing market was showing signs of a revival.他指出房地产市场正出现复苏的迹象。

12 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

13 thriller   

n.惊险片，恐怖片

参考例句：

• He began by writing a thriller.That book sold a million copies.他是写惊险小说起家的。那本书卖了一百万册。
• I always take a thriller to read on the train.我乘火车时，总带一本惊险小说看。

14 adviser   

n.劝告者，顾问

参考例句：

• They employed me as an adviser.他们聘请我当顾问。
• Our department has engaged a foreign teacher as phonetic adviser.我们系已经聘请了一位外籍老师作为语音顾问。

15 resistant   

adj.(to)抵抗的，有抵抗力的

参考例句：

• Many pests are resistant to the insecticide.许多害虫对这种杀虫剂有抵抗力。
• They imposed their government by force on the resistant population.他们以武力把自己的统治强加在持反抗态度的人民头上。

16 antibiotics   

n.（用作复数）抗生素；（用作单数）抗生物质的研究；抗生素，抗菌素( antibiotic的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• the discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century 20世纪抗生素的发现
• The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics. 医生给我开了抗生素。

17 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

18 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

19 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

20 thrillers   

n.紧张刺激的故事( thriller的名词复数 )；戏剧；令人感到兴奋的事；（电影）惊悚片

参考例句：

• He has written seven thrillers, and clearly enjoys intellectual pursuits. 他已经写了7本惊悚小说，显然很喜欢这样的智力活动。 来自辞典例句
• Most Americans prefer to read fast-moving adventure stories that we call "thrillers". 大部分美国人喜欢看我们称之为"惊险小说"的情节多变的冒险故事。 来自辞典例句

21 fictional   

adj.小说的，虚构的

参考例句：

• The names of the shops are entirely fictional.那些商店的名字完全是虚构的。
• The two authors represent the opposite poles of fictional genius.这两位作者代表了天才小说家两个极端。

22 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

23 malaria   

n.疟疾

参考例句：

• He had frequent attacks of malaria.他常患疟疾。
• Malaria is a kind of serious malady.疟疾是一种严重的疾病。

24 pesticides   

n.杀虫剂( pesticide的名词复数 )；除害药物

参考例句：

• vegetables grown without the use of pesticides 未用杀虫剂种植的蔬菜
• There is a lot of concern over the amount of herbicides and pesticides used in farming. 人们对农业上灭草剂和杀虫剂的用量非常担忧。 来自《简明英汉词典》

25 incapable   

adj.无能力的，不能做某事的

参考例句：

• He would be incapable of committing such a cruel deed.他不会做出这么残忍的事。
• Computers are incapable of creative thought.计算机不会创造性地思维。