Passive – In Context
Genome Announcement a Milestone -- But Only a Beginning
Leaders say discovery must be linked to responsible use
original article
These are excerpts from the article:
"Mapping the human genome has been compared with putting a man on the moon, but I believe it is more than that," said Dr. Michael Dexter, the director of the Wellcome Trust, which funded the British part of the Human Genome Project.
The medical benefits of genome science, scientists agree, must be used to benefit all people, not only a privileged few. Individual privacy must be protected as science moves forward with the project, and the information must not be used to discriminate against any group or person.
"This is the most important, most wondrous map ever produced by humankind," Clinton said in Washington. "Humankind is on the verge of gaining immense new power to heal. Genome science will revolutionize the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of most, if not all, human diseases."
All the researchers involved praised the high level of international cooperation that enabled them to reach this stage, and they pledged to keep that momentum going.
Mapping the chemical sequences for human DNA -- the chemical "letters" that make up the recipe of human life -- is a breakthrough that is expected to revolutionize the practice of medicine by paving the way for new drugs and medical therapies.
Ninety-nine percent of the human genome has been sequenced and 3.21 billion letters of genetic code have been assembled by Celera.
In the final step, each gene and its function must
be identified. Scientists will look for the genetic variations
in people -- variations that could be the cause of countless diseases.
That step is expected to take several years to complete. However, scientists said doctors one day would be able to study a person's genetic profile, determine his susceptibility to various diseases, and design a course of treatment to prevent illness.
Despite the potential for medical advancements, many Americans are divided over the implications of the genome project.
Practice
Tense and Verb Forms
What is the tense used in each passive sentence?
- Select the response from the menu that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.
Practice 2
Identify
Examine the tense use in each sentence.
- Select the response from the menu that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.
