第4部分：閱讀理解(第31-45題，每題3分，共45分)．

下面有3篇短文，每篇短文后有5道題.請根據短文內容，為每題確定l個最佳選項.

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering began when the DNA molecule(分子), the most basic unit of life, was first described in 1953 by James Watson and Francis Crick. An understanding of DNA led to the altering of normal cell reproduction. Experiments with altering human cells began in 1970. In one of the first experiments, patients were injected with a virus that would produce a life-saving enzyme, but their bodies would not accept it. In 1980 patients with a rare but fatal blood disease were injected with a purified gene that was cloned through DNA technology. Another failure.

Genetic engineering got a legal boost(激勵) in 1980. The U.S. Supreme Court said that a patent could be granted on a genetically engineered "oil-eating" bacterium(細菌). This bacterium would help clean up oil spills. The ruling encouraged companies to invent new life forms, and three important medical products were quickly developed.

l Human interferon(干擾素)-- a possible solution to some cancers and viral disease. A newly engineered bacterium produced human interferon as a by-product. This new product reduced the cost of interferon.

l Human growth hormone-- for children whose bodies do not grow to normal height. An expensive growth hormone(荷爾蒙) was previously produced from human cadavers, but by changing the genetic make-up of the single-cell bacterium E. coli, and affordable growth hormone could be produced.

l Human insulin(胰島素)-- for the treatment of diabetes. People with diabetes used to rely on a beef- or pork-based product until 1982. Now insulin can be manufactured by genetically altered bacteria.

Advances in genetic engineering have continued, though they constantly must be weighed against the safety of procedures. There is clearly much more to discover.

31. This passage is mainly about

A. the human growth hormone.

B. the effects of altering cells.

C. insulin resistance.

D. U.S. Supreme Court rulings.

32. Genetic engineering may be defined as

A. the altering of normal cell reproduction

B. a branch of applied chemistry.

C. a procedure that holds little promise.

D. a study on life-saving enzymes.

33. According to the passage, human interferon

A. is a hormone that causes disease.

B. could be used to treat cancer.

C. is a viral disease

D. has been cured

34. In this passage, the three genetically engineered medical products are presented

A. as a process.

B. from earliest to latest.

C. in a simple list.

D. as a story.

35. In the last paragraph, the word "weighed" has the closest meaning with

A. had great influence

B. became a burden.

C. measured accurately.

D. considered carefully.

（責任編輯：vstara）

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