Physics and chemistry have furnished the techniques for biologists to take the exploration of life to its logical conclusion. Th

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问题     Physics and chemistry have furnished the techniques for biologists to take the exploration of life to its logical conclusion. This event demands a wider audience. The pattern of discovery cannot be predicted, but the tool kit now in the possession of biologists is so powerful that no known problem seems likely to hold its mysteries for long. By usurping the tools with which living cells manipulate DNA, biologists can cut the genetic material at chosen points and amplify target segments for further study. Techniques and software for sequencing the order of chemical units in DNA are now so sophisticated that the full human gene set seems likely to be sequenced within the next ten years.
    It is only a matter of time before biologists catalogue the 75,000 or so human genes; identify the signals that switch each gene on and off; figure out what sets of active genes characterize each of the 200 or so major types of human cells, and determine how the consortium of interacting cells, and determine how the consortium of interacting cell types operates as an organism.
    Such knowledge has larger consequences than scientists can deal with alone. Genes do not determine everything, but they set the boundaries of an individual’ s full potential. They probably decree major elements of personality and intelligence. They create a predisposition to various diseases. Knowledge of how the human machine is assembled implies the knowledge to repair, refine and improve it.
    The first attempts at gene therapy have mostly stumbled, but the technique will surely be made to work eventually. The idea of correcting defective genes is not particularly controversial. But a fundamental solution to the creeping burden of Medicare — equipping every embryo with a birthright package of genes for good health, longevity and aversion to nicotine and violence — would raise knottier issues.
    Critics will doubtlessly warn darkly of dangerous knowledge. But more knowledge is generally better than less. Molecular biology, long gathering speed, is about to take off. It is almost ready to become a spectator sport, not just a private club for academics and biotechnology companies.
The author is questioning______.

选项 A、the idea of correcting defective genes
B、the eventual possibility of gene therapy
C、the creeping burden of Medicare
D、the birthright package of genes for every embryo

答案D

解析 作者在第四自然段第三句以转折连词“But”开句,暗示了作者的疑虑,而破折号的部分正是对作者的疑虑进行了详细的说明,与D选项内容相符,故D为正确答案。
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