1 . On Monday, a lawsuit (诉讼) in the US got huge headlines around the world. It deals with a truly 21st century issue—whether human genes (基因) may be patented.
Myriad Genetics, a biotechnology company, discovered two genes — BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 — that are highly related to breast cancer. Myriad patented its discoveries and a group of researchers challenged that the patent was illegal.
The US patent law protects the temporary economic rewards inventors get from their inventions. But it also says a product of nature or a law of nature can’t be patented. For example, Einstein couldn’t patent on his discovery of E=mc2.
And until relatively recently, many of the medical researchers voluntarily gave up patents on their inventions. When Dr. Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine (小儿麻痹症疫苗), was asked in 1955 whether he had a patent on the vaccine, he replied, “Could you patent the sun?”
Myriad Genetics, however, says that the genes it identified are not like the sun. It notes that there are 20,000 genes in the human body and that it has sorted through all those genes and found the two that are closely related to breast cancer.
Not so, say those challenging the patent. Human genes are products of nature. They are just a part of the human body. “All Myriad does is take the part out of the body,” says the challengers’ lawyer, Christopher Hansen. “Can the person who first takes the heart out of the body patent on hearts?”
Rochelle Dreyfuss, a patent expert who is not associated with this case, is a little more down to earth. “At some level it is about money,” he says, “because medicine doesn’t happen for free. The patent system is very important to encourage companies to spend more money on scientific research and development.”
Then how do other countries handle this tricky situation? Most countries approve patents on genes, but they also allow other scientists to use the genes freely to do research and develop new medicines and testing methods.
1. Which of the following can be patented according to the US patent law?A.The law of gravity force. | B.A unique orbit found in space. |
C.A new medicine based on BRCA 1. | D.The basic working principle of planes. |
A.A product of nature can’t be patented. |
B.Public interests should be put before profits. |
C.It is unacceptable to the other countries in the world. |
D.The connection between genes and cancers is not obvious. |
A.Angry. | B.Rude. | C.Smart | D.Practical. |
A.The consequences of the lawsuit. | B.Other countries’ solution to the case. |
C.The public reactions to the news. | D.Some scientists’ support for the patent. |
1. When will the man have a medical checkup?
A.On Wednesday. | B.On Thursday. | C.On Tuesday. |
A.A blood test. | B.A chest X-ray. | C.A colour blindness inspection. |
A.He hurt his face. | B.He went to the dentist. | C.He had a tooth pulled out. |
A.A doctor. | B.A nurse. | C.A policewoman. |
1. What is the man doing?
A.Trying to make an appointment. |
B.Expressing his dissatisfaction. |
C.Asking the woman for advice. |
A.Working hard. | B.Keeping relaxed. | C.Ignoring his problem. |
1. What is the man doing?
A.Trying to make an appointment. |
B.Expressing his dissatisfaction. |
C.Asking the woman for advice. |
A.Working hard. | B.Keeping relaxed. | C.Ignoring his problem. |
In 1951, a young mother of five named Henrietta Lacks visited The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Upon
A small number of her cancer cells
Today, these incredible cells, named “HeLa” cells, are used for
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a health care system in which patients
According to the World Health Organization,nearly 80 percent of the world’s population depends for its primary health care needs
Increasingly, however, modern medicines also contain substances from animals and plants. Given growing populations, increasing wealth, and the spreading
1. What do we know about Betty?
A.She had a major operation. | B.She is in hospital. | C.She brought some flowers to the man. |
A.Her teacher. | B.Her doctor. | C.Her classmate. |
10 . A medical emergency can happen anywhere at any time. Taking a brief moment to seek help is often the best first response. But before an ambulance can get to the scene, the immediate first aid attendance to anyone who is injured seriously makes a difference between life and death. Life Saver Team has been providing CPR (心肺复苏术) and first aid training since 2009. Here are a few of their most popular courses:
CPR AED
It is a classroom video-based, instructor-led course that teaches the basic techniques of CPR and the use of an AED (自动体外除颤器), as well as how to relieve choking. This course teaches skills with research proven techniques.
●Course length: 2 hours
●Price: $50 (Sign up for a first aid course for an additional $30)
Upon completion of this course, students will receive an American Heart Association Heart Saver Fist Aid Course Completion Card that is valid (有效的) for two years.
Basic Life Support
This is a classroom course designed to provide a wide variety of healthcare professionals with the ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide CPR, and relieve choking in a timely and effective manner.
●Course length: 4 hours
●Price: $60 (Sign up for a first aid course for an additional $30)
The American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Provider Course Completion Card is valid for two years.
First Aid
It is a classroom, video-based, instructor-led course that teaches students critical skills to manage an emergency in the first few minutes until emergency medical services arrive. Students learn skills such as how to treat bleeding, broken bones and other first aid emergencies.
●Course length: 2 hours
●Price: $45
Upon completion of this course, students will receive an American Heart Association Heart Saver CPR AED Course Completion Card that is valid for two years.
1. What should be often done first in a medical emergency?A.Providing professional first aid. | B.Asking for help at once. |
C.Taking the injured to the hospital. | D.Leaving the scene as soon as possible. |
A.$50. | B.$30. | C.$60. | D.$45 |
A.They are available online. |
B.They are for all individuals. |
C.They take the same amount of time. |
D.They include a two-year AHA certificate. |