The Human Genome Project
SC: What are the benefits of the projec?
KS: Many diseases, including certain types of cancers, are the result of mutations in genes. The project will allow scientists and medical personnel to determine how mutated genes differ from normal ones.
This knowledge can be used to detect genetic problems earlier than is currently possible. It also opens the door to the development of medicines designed to help patients with specific genetic backgrounds.
The information may eventually help with disease prevention through gene therapy --
a process where mutated genes are replaced with normal ones.
SC: Are there ethical issues surrounding the project?
KS: The aspect of the project causing the most concern is also the most beneficial. It allows the genes of individuals or people groups to be compared. While there are good medical reasons for doing this, there are also a lot of questions about privacy and fairness. Should insurance companies and employers be allowed to access the genetic information of their customers and employees? If so, there is a lot of potential for discrimination based upon genetic differences.
Mapping human DNA is really only the beginning. The project has create both opportunities and challenges that we will have to face for years to come.
personnel n. 人員
-> a group of people who work in a place
medical personnel
English teaching personnel
military personnel
human resource personnel
eg: All of the department's personnel are attending a training program today.
prevent v. 預防
prevention n. 預防
-> keep it from happening
eg: The class is visiting the fire station to learn about fire prevention and safety.
eg: A little prevention now is better than expensive treatment later.
eg: The government spends a lot of money on crime prevention programs.
benefit n. 好處/利益
beneficial adj. 有益的
beneficial to somebody/something
eg: Exercising regularly is beneficial to your health.
eg: David has been so tense lately. A vacation might be beneficial to him right now.
eg: Sufficient sunlight is beneficial to the growth of plants.
discrimination
-> look down something
potential n. 可能性
-> possibility
eg: Taylor has a lot of potential, but she needs more work experience.
eg: There's a potential for loss no matter what kind of investment you do.
potential n. 潛力
eg: He has the potential to become a great star.
eg: The company has the potential for expansion.
mutate v. 突變
mutation n. 突變
-> a change in the gene
gene therapy 基因療法
//== Chat room ==//
comparing apples and oranges 兩者不能相提並論
-> two things are so different that they can't be compared
eg: Comparing elementary school in Taiwan and university in America is like comparing apples and oragnes.
compare v. 比較(看兩者相似或不同的地方)
contrast v. 對比(看兩者不同的地方)
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