| Taking a cell, practically any cell,
from your body, the theory goes, and through appropriate biological
tinkering(摆弄) you can cause it to grow into a duplicate of yourself—identical
from eyelashes to toenails. No need for procreational(生育的) sex any more;{{U}}
(51) {{/U}}this system, you can neatly reproduce yourself without
a{{U}} (52) {{/U}}. Human cloning, it is called. Science fact or science
fiction? What would happen if human cloning became a{{U}} (53) {{/U}}?
One favorite scenario is the{{U}} (54) {{/U}}of a new{{U}} (55)
{{/U}}of Hitlers—or Einsteins. Scientists quickly disclaim the possibility.
"It is more than genetic make-up that makes an individual." Says Markert of Yale
University, "We are all products of a particular{{U}} (56) {{/U}}era and
of a special environment, with so many minute things{{U}} (57) {{/U}}the
way we develop each and every day, even in the womb, that a duplicate
background--and therefore a duplicate{{U}} (58) {{/U}}could never be
created." Already biologists studying the cell's{{U}} (59) {{/U}}workings and the various methods of cloning have made discoveries that may ultimately lead to breakthroughs{{U}} (60) {{/U}}the fight against cancer, control of the aging process, and the conquest of more than 100 presently incurable human genetic diseases. To{{U}} (61) {{/U}}cloning-related research would mean closing the door{{U}} (62) {{/U}}and important area of knowledge. To continue to probe the secrets of the cell, however, is perhaps to{{U}} (63) {{/U}}the secret of human cloning. And, given the nature of man, if it can be done it will be done. What then is the{{U}} (64) {{/U}}? Says Congressman Rogers: "It is clear that human cloning is not yet possible. The day when it will be—if ever—is far{{U}} (65) {{/U}}. For now, at least, the benefits of cell-biology research outweigh the risks." |