The topic of cloning has been a politically and ethically controversial one since its very beginning. While the moral and philos

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问题     The topic of cloning has been a politically and ethically controversial one since its very beginning. While the moral and philosophical aspects of the issues are entirely up to the interpretation of the individual, the application of cloning technology can be studied objectively. Many in the scientific community advocate the use of cloning for the preservation and support of endangered species of animals, which aside from cloning, have no other practical hope for avoiding extinction.
    The goal of the use of cloning to avoid extinction is the reintroduction of new genes into the gene pool of species with few survivors, this ensuring the maintenance and expansion of genetic diversity. Likely candidates for this technique are species known to have very few surviving members, such as the African Bongo Antelope, the Sumatran Tiger, and the Chinese Giant Panda. In the case of Giant Panda, some artificial techniques for creating offspring have already been performed, perhaps paving the way for cloning as the next step in the process.
    With the estimated population of only about 1000 Giant Pandas left in the world, the urgency of the situation has led to desperate measures. One panda was born through the technique of artificial insemination in the San Diego Zoo in the United States. "Hua Mei" was born in 1999 after her parents, Hsing-Hsing and Ling-Ling, had trouble conceiving naturally.
    The plan to increase the Giant Panda population through the use of cloning involves the use of a species related to the Giant Panda, the American Black Bear. Egg cells will be removed from female black bears and then fertilized with Panda cells such as those from Ling-Ling or Hsing-Hsing. The fertilized embryo will then re-implanted into the black bear, where it will grow and mature, until a new panda is delivered from the black bear host.
    Critics of cloning technology argue that the emphasis on cloning as a method by which to preserve species will draw funding away from other methods, such as habitat preservation and conservation. Proponents of cloning counter that many countries in which many endangered species exist are too poor to protect and maintain the species’ habitats anyway, making cloning technology the only practical way to ensure that those species survive to future generations. The issue is still hotly debated, as both sides weigh the benefits that could be achieved against the risks and ethical concerns that constantly accompany any argument on the issue.
Notes:
ethically 道德上
gene pool 基因库
insemination n. 受精
fertilize 使受精
embryo 胚胎
proponent 支持者,拥护者
weigh A against B权衡A和B的利弊

选项 A、identify the issues that will not be addressed in the text.
B、reveal an area of interest that will be explored later in the text.
C、identify one of the main issues affecting the cloning controversy today.
D、draw the reader’s attention to a sensitive issue that bears consideration in the topic of cloning.

答案A

解析 细节理解题。本题问:作者在第1段中提出克隆方面的道德考虑问题其目的何在?第1段第1句写道:"克隆的话题从一开始就是一个在政治上和伦理上有争议的问题"。接着作者说,"虽然这些问题的道德观和哲学观完全依赖于个人的解释说明,但是对克隆技术的应用还是可以进行客观研究的"。从这句话中可以看出,作者在本文中并不打算论述克隆问题的道德观和哲学观,而是想客观地研究克隆技术的应用问题。因此确认本文中不想陈述的问题"是作者提出该问题的目的。
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