Human_Cloning__Don_t_Just_Say_No

PASSAGE II Human Cloning, Don't just Say No!That scientists have cloned a sheep sends academics[1] and the public into a panic at the prospect that humans might be next. That's an understandable reaction. Cloning is a radical challenge to the most fundamental laws of biology, so it's not unreasonable to be concerned that it might threaten human society and dignity. Yet much of the ethical opposition seems also to grow out of an unthinking disgust.[2] And that makes it hard for even trained scientists and ethicists to see the matter clearly. While human cloning might not offer great benefits to humanity[3], no one has yet made a persuasive case[4] that it would do any real harm, either.Theologians contend that to clone a human would violate human dignity. That would surely be true if a cloned individual were treated as a lesser being,[5] with fewer rights or lower stature[6]. But why suppose that cloned persons wouldn't share the same rights and dignity as the rest of us? A leading ethicist has suggested that cloning would violate the "right to genetic identity"[7]. Where did he come up with such a right? It makes perfect sense to say that adult persons have a right not to be cloned without their voluntary, informed consent[8]. But if such consent is given, whose "right" to genetic identity would be violated?Many of the science-fiction scenarios prompted by the prospect of human cloning turn out, upon reflection, to be absurdly improbable. There's the fear, for instance, that parents might clone a child to have "spare parts"[9] in case the original child needs an organ transplant. But parents of identical twins don't view one child as an organ farm[10] for the other. Why should cloned children's parents be any different?Another disturbing thought is that cloning will lead to efforts to breed individuals with genetic qualities perceived as exceptional (math geniuses, basketball players). Such ideas are repulsive because of the atrocities committed by the Nazis in the name of eugenics. But there's a vast difference between "selective breeding" as practiced by totalitarian regimes (where the urge to produce certain types of people leads to efforts to eradicate other types) and the immeasurably more benign forms already practiced in democratic societies (where, say, lawyers freely choose to marry other lawyers).[11] Banks stocked with the frozen sperm of geniuses already exist. They haven't created a master race[12] because only a tiny number of women have wanted to impregnate themselves this way. Why would it be different if human cloning became available?So who will likely take advantage of cloning? Perhaps a grieving couple whose child is dying. This might seem psychologically twisted. But a cloned child born to such dubious parents stands no greater or lesser chance of being loved, or rejected, or warped than a child normally conceived.[13] Infertile couples are also likely to seek out cloning. That such couples have other options (in vitro fertilization or adoption) is not an argument for denying them the right to clone.[14] Or consider an example raised by Judge Richard Posner: a couple in which the husband has some tragic genetic defect. Currently, if this couple wants a genetically related child, they have four not altogether pleasant[15] options. They can reproduce naturally and risk passing on the disease to the child. They can go to a sperm bank and take a chance on unknown genes. They can try in vitro fertilization and dispose of any afflicted embryo-though that might be objectionable, too. Or they can get a male relative ofthe father to donate sperm, if such a relative exists. This is one case where even people unnerved by cloning might see it[16] as not the worst option.Even if human cloning offers no obvious benefits to humanity, why ban it? In a democratic society we don't usually pass laws outlawing something before there is actual or probable evidence of harm.[17] A moratorium on further research into human cloning might make sense, in order to consider calmly the grave questions it raises, If the moratorium is then lifted, human cloning should remain a research activity for an extended period[18]. And if it is ever attempted, it should-and no doubt will-take place only with careful scrutiny and layers of legal oversight. Most important, human cloning should be governed by the same laws that now protect human rights. A world not safe for cloned humans would be a world not safe for the rest of us. (740 words)Proper NameRichard Posner(男子名)理查德.鲍斯奈New Wordsadoption *n. the legal process where non-biological parents or a non-biological parent becomes the legal guardian of a child 收养，领养e.g. I) The dying mother had to offer her child for adoption.II) Adoption can provide homes for many children without parents.atrocityn. a very cruel, shocking action 暴行e.g. The killing was cold-blooded, and those who committed this atrocity should be tried and punished.breeding *n. producing of young by animals 繁殖e.g. April is the breeding season for this kind of deer.clonev. make an exact copy of a plant or animal by taking a cell from it and developing it artificially 无性繁殖，克隆e.g. The idea of cloning extinct (灭绝的) life forms still belongs to science fiction.cloning *n. the act or process of producing an animal or plant from the cells of another animal or plant artificially 无性繁殖，克隆disgust1) n. a feeling of very strong dislike or disapproval 厌恶e.g. The execution of political opponents aroused widespread disgust.2) v. make someone feel a strong sense of dislike and disapproval 使厌恶e.g. The candidate's dirty joke disgusted many voters.eradicatev. get rid of something completely 摆脱，消灭e.g. We should take positive efforts to eradicate every trace of discrimination.ethicistn. someone who studies questions about what is morally right and wrong 伦理学家，道德学家eugenicsn. the study of methods to improve the human race by carefully selecting parents who will produce the strongest children 优生学extended *adj. continued or prolonged 延长的，延续的e.g. What I need is an extended vacation on a tropical island.fertilization *n. an act, process, or instance of making sperm join an egg so that a young baby or animal develops or joining particles of pollen so that a new plant develops 受精immeasurably *adv. infinitely, limitlessly 无法计量地，无限地impregnatev. make a woman or animal pregnant 使怀孕infertileadj.1) unable to breed or reproduce, barren 不孕的2) (of soil) of poor quality so that plants cannot grow in it 不肥沃的，贫瘠的e.g. The polluted waste is often dumped, making the surrounding land infertile.layern.1) different levels or parts of something, such as a system or an idea, and the way they are added together or hide each other 层次，层面e.g. The study looked at ways to eliminate the present layers of bureaucracy.2) a thickness of some material laid on or spread over a surface 一层e.g. I) A fine layer of dust covers everything in the room.II) There was a thin layer of oil on the surface of the water.moratoriumn. a stopping of an activity for a period of time 暂停（活动）e.g. The House (议院) voted to impose a one-year moratorium on nuclear testing.outlawv. make something illegal or unacceptable 禁止，取缔e.g. Last week the government warned that it would consider legislation to outlaw smoking in public places.oversightn. the act of overseeing, supervision 监督，看管e.g. The president entrusted (委托) him with the oversight of agricultural reform.reproducev.1) (of living things) produce offspring by natural means 生育，繁殖e.g. I) Most plants reproduce by seeds.II) Some creatures were better at surviving and reproducing themselves than others, so they thrived at the others' expense.2) produce a copy of something or show or do something again 复制，重做e.g. I) This copier (复印机) can reproduce color photographs.II) The car design unfortunately reproduced some of the problems of the earlier model.repulsiveadj. very unpleasant 令人厌恶的e.g. I think rats and snakes are repulsive and disgusting.scenarion. a description of the characters, place, and things that will happen in a film, play, etc. 脚本，剧情说明scrutinyn. careful and thorough examination 详尽的查验e.g. His work looks good, but it will not bear close scrutiny.theologiann. someone who studies the nature of God, religion, and religious beliefs 神学家，神学研究者twisted *adj. warped, strange in an unpleasant way 扭曲的e.g. The letter showed horribly clearly the workings of a twisted mind.unnerve *v. worry or trouble someone 使紧张不安，使心慌意乱e.g. His encounter with the guard dog had completely unnerved him.vitroused in "in vitro", meaning "happening outside the body in artificial conditions, often in a test tube" 在体外，在试管内warpv. have a bad effect on someone so that they think strangely about things 使（性格等）不正常，使乖戾Phrases and Expressionsdispose of1) get rid of 去除，舍弃e.g. I) All the old furniture has been disposed of.II) Engine oil cannot be disposed of down the drain.2) deal with 处理，处置e.g. You did us a great favor by the manner in which you disposed of that problem.make sense1) be sensible, be reasonable 合情合理，有道理，很明智e.g. It doesn't make sense to buy that expensive coat when these cheaper ones are just as good.2) have an understandable meaning 有意义，讲得通e.g. What you say makes no sense.pass on...to...hand or give something to someone else 将......传递给另一人e.g. Pass the book on to me when you have finished with it.seek outlook for someone or something until you find them 搜寻，找出e.g. Now is the time for local companies to seek out business opportunities in Europe.stand a chance of doing...be likely to do... 有可能e.g. She didn't stand a chance of winning.take a chance (on something)attempt to do something in spite of the possibility of failure, take a risk 冒险，投机，碰运气e.g. After a sleepless night, he decided to take a chance on opening his own company selling computer components.。