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  3. As many countries emerge from lockdowns, researchers are prepared to use genome sequencing to avoid an expected second wave of C

As many countries emerge from lockdowns, researchers are prepared to use genome sequencing to avoid an expected second wave of C

admin2022-03-27  71
问题     As many countries emerge from lockdowns, researchers are prepared to use genome sequencing to avoid an expected second wave of COVID-19 infections. Since the first whole-genome sequence of the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was shared online on 11 January, scientists have sequenced and shared some 32,000 viral genomes from around the world. Such a vast amount of data has allowed researchers to trace the origin of COVID-19 outbreaks in their countries and pinpoint when community transmission occurred.
    Now, countries that have successfully suppressed infections are entering the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic—where there’s a risk of new cases appearing as social restrictions ease. Researchers say that genomics will be crucial to quickly track and control these outbreaks. Studies already show that outbreaks tend to be shorter and smaller when genomics is used to help contact tracing. "When there are few cases, genomics can very quickly tell you what you’re dealing with and therefore guide precision interventions," says Gytis Dudas, a consulting bioinformatician at the Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre in Sweden.
    Several places are particularly well placed to do that because they invested in genome sequencing early in the pandemic and have a relatively small number of cases. Researchers in New Zealand, and at least one state in Australia decided that they would aim to sequence most coronavirus genomes in their country or state. As SARS-CoV-2 spread around the world, distinct lineages began to form as viruses circulating in different regions gradually evolved. By comparing sequences, researchers can quickly rule out possible lines of transmission if two sequences don’t match, or link together cases that do.
    Scientists in the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries are also sequencing SARS-CoV-2 from a large proportion of cases there, but because their epidemics are still ongoing and case numbers are high, genomics is being used to monitor spread and help identify the source of some cases where contact tracing fails. But such interventions depend on broad sampling, and so in places where diagnostic testing is limited, there will also be gaps in the genomic data.
    But the use of genomic analysis to help contact tracing is largely restricted to high-income countries, says Meru Sheel, an epidemiologist at the Australian National University in Canberra. She would like to see genomics considered as a tool for outbreak responses in resource-limited countries in the Asia-Pacific region, as it was in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone and Guinea during the Ebola outbreak.
What is the author’s attitude towards genomics?
选项 A、Concerned.
B、Negative.
C、Neutral.
D、Indifferent.
答案C
解析 态度题。根据原文前4段可以得知，基因组学有着多种用途，如“追踪各国疫情起源”“定位群体传播时间”“指导干预措施”等，充分表达了作者对基因组学的肯定。但在最后一段中，作者提到“使用基因组分析来帮助追踪接触者的办法主要限于高收入国家”，即认为该技术也存在一定局限性。因此结合全文可以得出，作者的态度是中立的，故C项正确。
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