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.
According to the writer, which of the statements is true?

选项 A、The mysteries of all living things will be cleared up soon.
B、The secrets of the signals governing human genes are found out.
C、The way leading to the discovery of mystery of life has almost been paved.
D、Biology would not have come into being without physics or chemistry.

答案C

解析 作者在首段谈及在揭示生命的奥秘过程中生物学家们所取得的成就和尚未实现的远大目标。从中可以推测出C为正确答案。A选项中的“all”过分绝对。B选项与第一自然段末句的时间状语“within…years”所暗示的还需要一段时间相冲突。作者在第一自然段首句中虽然提到了物理和化学对生物学家进行研究所起的重要作用,但D答案过分绝对,并非作者观点,因此被排除。
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