Question

    A recent announcement by scientists that they have successfully cloned the first human embryo has caused much debate and has shocked many people around the world. On the one hand，some scientists point out that if you clone an embryo，you can produce valuable tissues(组织）and organs that could be used to save human lives. On the other hand，many people，including some scientists, disagree and fear that if mankind interferes with（干涉）nature in this way，they may be on their way to producing a real-life Frankenstein’s monster.

    Cloning is producing an exact copy of a plant or an animal using its cells. The first mammal to be cloned successfully from an adult cell was Dolly the sheep. She was born in 1996 and died in early 2003，at a much younger age than normal. When she was born，many people were angry because they thought cloning would create more disease in the animal world. However，in general the scientists were praised for their wonderful scientific breakthrough.

    The Scottish scientist who created Dolly，Ian Wilmut，is shocked that some scientists are now considering cloning human beings. Although he researches cloning，his intention has never been to create copies of humans. Instead，he thinks research efforts should concentrate on creating new tissues and organs that could eventually be used to cure diseases like cancer. However，some people consider that cloning human embryos with the intention of destroying them shows no respect for human life.

    While cloning human embryos is illegal in many countries，some scientists are already pushing ahead with research so as to deliver a cloned human baby. Severino Antinori，an Italian doctor，is one of the leaders in this kind of research. He has declared that he wants to be the first to clone a human being.

    In China，scientists have focused their efforts on cloning animals，as well as stern cells to be used in medical research. China has succeeded in producing clones of cows and goats，and continues to research ways in which cloning can benefit mankind.

51. Which of the following statements about cloning is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Cloning technology can only be applied to animals.

B. A cloned animal can live longer than a normal one.

C. People all over the world are happy about the birth of Dolly.

D. Cloning can produce valuable tissues and organs to cure human diseases.

52. The reasons why people are anti-cloning include the following EXCEPT that_______.

A. cloning may produce a real-life Frankenstein’s monster

B. cloning might create more disease in the animal world

C. cloning can’t help those who want to clone their dead children

D. cloning human embryos shows no respect for human life

53. Who is in favor of cloning human beings?

A. Ian Wilmut.        B. Severino Antinori.

C. The author.        D. The Chinese scientists.

54. What can be inferred from the last two paragraphs?

A. If we interfere with nature, we will change the world to be what we want.

B. It is impossible to clone babies for women who cannot have ones.

C. Cloning human beings is illegal in many countries，so no scientists want to do so.

D. Whether cloning human embryos is legal or not remains a matter of debate.

Answer 1

51. 【解析】选D。细节理解题。根据第一段第二句可知D项正确。根据第二段首句可知A项错误；从第二段Dolly的例子可知克隆的动物不如正常的动物寿命长，故B项错误；C项与原文第二段的第四句话相悖。

52. 【解析】选C。细节理解题。文中前三段提到人们反对克隆技术的原因包括A, B和D项。文中未提及C项。

53. 【解析】选B。推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段第二句可知，Severino Antinori也在从事克隆人类的研究，这说明他支持克隆人。

54. 【解析】选D。推理判断题。通过最后两段可以推断出，虽然克隆人在很多国家还不被认可，但是有些科学家已经开始了这方面的研究。对于克隆人是否合法现在还是一个存在争议的问题。