Lê Hân's Profile

If we now know enough to be able to make changes in the genetic material that we hand on to our children, why not seize this power? Why not control what has been left to chance in the past?
Social and environmental influences already control many other aspects of our children’s lives and identities. We do not quarrel with the use of orthodontics to straighten teeth, or good nutrition and education to enhance intelligence. Can we really reject positive genetic influences on the next generation’s minds and bodies when we accept the rights of parents to benefit their children in every other way?
 It seems to me inevitable that genetic engineering will eventually be used. It will probably begin in a
way that is most ethically acceptable to the largest portion of society, to prevent babies inheriting
conditions that have a severe impact on the quality of life, such as heart or lung conditions. The number of parents needing or desiring this service might be tiny, but their experience would help to ease society’s fears, and geneticists could then begin to expand their services to prevent the
inheritance of genes leading to other disorders that have a less severe impact, or an impact delayed until adulthood. At the same time, other genes could be added to improve various health
characteristics and disease resistance in children who would not otherwise have been born with any particular problem.
 The final frontier will be the mind and the senses. Here, genetic engineering could have enormous
benefits. Alcohol addiction could be eliminated, along with tendencies toward mental disease and
antisocial behavior like extreme aggression. People’s senses of sight and hearing could be improved, allowing for new dimensions in art and music. And when our understanding of brain development has advanced, geneticists will be able to provide parents with the option of enhancing various intellectual attributes as well.
 Is there a limit to what can be accomplished with genetic enhancements? Some experts say there are boundaries beyond which we can’t go. But humans have a tendency to prove the experts wrong. One way to identify types of human enhancements that lie in the realm of possibility – no matter how outlandish they may seem today – is to consider what already exists in the living world. If another living creature already has a particular attribute, then we can work out its genetic basis and eventually we should be able to make it available to humans. For example, we could provide humans with a greatly enhanced sense of smell like that of dogs and other mammals, and the ability to “see” objects in complete darkness through a biological sonar system like the one that allows bats to find
their way in the dark.
 In the long term, it might be possible to identify the genetic information which allows creatures to
live under extreme conditions here on Earth – like the microscopic bacteria that live in scalding hot
water around volcanic vents on the ocean floor, far removed from light and free oxygen, and other
creatures that use a biological form of antifreeze to thrive in sub-zero temperatures around
Antarctica. One day it may even be possible to incorporate photosynthetic units into human embryos so that humans could receive energy directly from the sun, just like plants. Such genetic gifts could allow these genetically modified humans to survive on other planets in the solar system, where they could in turn use genetic engineering to further enhance the ability of their own children to survive in
their chosen worlds.

In the short term, though, most genetic enhancements will surely be much more mundane. They will provide little fixes to all of the naturally occurring genetic defects that shorten the lives of so many people. They will enrich physical and cognitive attributes in small ways. But as the years go by over the next two centuries, the number and variety of possible genetic extensions to the basic human
genome* will rise dramatically – like the additions to computer operating systems that occurred
during the 1980s and 1990s. Extensions that were once unimaginable will become indispensable – to those parents who are able to afford them.
* The total of all the genes that are found in one living thing
Question 31: According to the writer, what has been “left to chance in the past”?
A. the genetic compatibility of potential parents
B. the social and environmental factors affecting children
C. the qualities and characteristics that children inherit
D. the ways in which parents may benefit their children
Question 32: Genetic engineering may first be applied to disabilities affecting babies because ______.
A. the greatest long-term benefit would be provided B. this would be the least controversial use
C. this would prevent so much suffering D. the social consequences are so severe
Question 33: Once genetic engineering is accepted, it may be used to ______.
A. improve the mental capabilities of unborn children
B. extend understanding of how the brain works
C. bring a new realism to art and music
D. cure people with alcohol-related problems
Question 34: Looking further into the future, the writer suggests that human attributes ______.
A. could be transferred to other living creatures
B. can only be enhanced with characteristics from other humans
C. should not be interfered with beyond certain limits
D. could be improved with genetic information from other creatures
Question 35: The writer suggests that genetic engineering may ultimately allow humans to ______.
A. live under the ocean B. reproduce with creatures from other planets
C. produce energy by using the Sun D. live and reproduce in inhospitable conditions
Question 36: In the final paragraph the writer implies that genetic engineering ______.
A. should only be used to deal with genetic defects B. will be affected by computer technology
C. may not be used to benefit everyone equally D. will one day be taken for granted by everyone
Question 37: What can be inferred about the writer's attitude?
A. He is concerned about the implications of future developments.
B. He is enthusiastic about future developments in genetic engineering.
C. He is disappointed by the limited advances already achieved.
D. He is hopeful that there will be rapid developments in the near future.
Question 38: Which of the following is CLOSEST in meaning to the word thrive in paragraph 5?
A. survive B. surrender C. flourish D. perish

98 đvC

97 g/mol.

98 g/mol.

98 đvC