Unit 28 Cloning and Genetic Engineering

Words and Expressions 1)clone 使无性繁殖；复制 (anyone produced asexually from one ancestor) After the successful cloning of other animals, US scientists finally created the world’s first cloned mule in (P156) 美国科学家在成功克隆其它动物之后，终于在 2003 年创造了世 界上第一匹克隆骡子。 2) genetics 基因学 (scientific study of the ways in which characteristics are passed from parents to their offspring) We studied the course of genetics last term. 上学期我们修了《基因学》这门课。

3) prolong 延长、拉长 (make sth. longer in time, extend) Those in favor of this development argue that this would help to prolong human life. (P157) 那些支持这种研究的人们认为：该研究有助于延长人类寿命。 4) shampoo 洗发香波 (soapy liquid or cream to wash the hair) Don’t use too much shampoo. 使用洗发剂不要过多。 Words and Expressions

Text: Cloning Idaho’s birth has a number of implications. [a number of: many; implication: influence 可能产生的影响 ]

Text: Cloning One of the most important implications is that scientists have a better understanding of the causes of certain human cancers, since horses are far less likely than 1 humans to suffer from cancer, a fact which is believed to be because of their genetic make-up 2. [ 见 P159-language focus: 不定度量词表比较的程度， far 是不定度量词，用在形容词比较结构中表示比较的程度。 ] [make-up: n. 组成 ]

Text: Cloning When scientists cloned Idaho, there was one significant difference in their method; they used a cell from a foetus, not from an adult mule. [foetus: 胎儿 ] 科学家们克隆 Idaho 时，有一个很重要的方法上的区别， 他们使用了胎盘细胞，而非成年骡子的细胞。

Text: Cloning This use of a cell from a foetus also added fuel to the debate about the ethics of cloning itself. [add fuel to: 给 …… 火上浇油 ]

Text: Cloning However, those who vehemently oppose the research fear that it is a slippery slope. [vehemently: 强烈地 ] [a slippery slope: 滑坡 ] 然而那些强烈反对该研究的人们则害怕这是一个滑坡。

Reading Comprehension 1.Why is Idaho's birth significant? A. It is the descendant of horse and donkey. B. It's the world's first cloned mule. C. It helps scientist get to know the causes of human cancer. C

Reading Comprehension 2. According to the passage, why did Dolly age prematurely? A. Because she got an old DNA from an adult sheep. B. Because scientists get her cell from a foetus. C. Because the cloning method is old fashioned. A

Reading Comprehension 3. Why do some people support development of cloning? A. Because they want to get designer babies. B. Because they think the technology will help people live longer and get rid of some difficult diseases. C. Because this research can help people update their DNA. B

Reading Comprehension 4. Why do some people oppose the development of cloning? A. Because they are afraid of another world war caused by the controversy on this issue B. Because they don't want to have a long-lasting life. C. Because it's immoral, and may change nature of human life. C

Reading Comprehension 5.What is the author's attitude towards cloning? A. Neutral. B. Supportive. C. Against. A