基因研究与进化论（每日外刊0830-科学使一场新的基因革命成为可能）

背景知识

转基因作物（Genetically Modified Crops，GMC），是利用基因工程将原有作物的基因加入其它生物的遗传物质，并将不良基因移除，从而造成品质更好的作物。通常转基因作物，可增加作物的产量、改善品质、提高抗旱、抗寒及其它特性。转基因作物的种类主要有大豆、玉米、棉花和油菜，其性状主要是抗除草剂、抗虫、抗病等几类。转基因作物因有抗寒、抗旱、抗虫等能力而为粮食缺少的国家所推崇。

基因研究与进化论（每日外刊0830-科学使一场新的基因革命成为可能）(1)

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Science has made a new genetic revolution possible

科学使一场新的基因革命成为可能

Thanks to great strides in fundamental research, biology is becoming ever more programmable. Two recent scientific advances show just how powerful the possibilities could be. The genetic modification of plants is allowing the mechanism of photosynthesis to be tinkered with, as research published in Science on August 18th sets out. This could lead to dramatic improvements in the productivity of plants, and eventually to a second green revolution. Tweaking the genes of people who suffer from fatal incurable diseases, meanwhile, has also had remarkable results. A series of genetic therapies has arrived, or is arriving, in clinics to treat blood cancers, spinal muscular atrophy, haemophilia and sickle-cell disease. The task now is to spread these gains far and wide.

由于基础研究的巨大进步，生物学正变得越来越可编程。最近的两项科学进展显示了这种可能性有多大。正如8月18日发表在《科学》杂志上的研究报告所指出的那样，对植物的基因改造允许对光合作用的机制进行修补。这可能会极大地提高植物的生产力，并最终引发第二次绿色革命。与此同时，对患有致命性不治之症的人的基因进行调整，也取得了显著的效果。一系列的基因疗法已经或正在进入诊所，用于治疗血癌、脊髓性肌肉萎缩症、血友病和镰状细胞病。现在的任务是广泛推广这些成果。

The consequences of both advances could be momentous. The genetic modification of crops promises cheaper, more nutritious and more climate-resilient food for a hungry planet. Genetic therapies offer the hope of curing devastating diseases. They also allow for one-time treatments that can be transported to the four corners of the Earth, bringing years, decades or a lifetime of benefits to the seriously and incurably ill.

这两项进展的后果可能是巨大的。农作物的基因改造有望为一个饥饿的星球提供更便宜、更有营养和更有气候适应性的食物。基因疗法为治愈毁灭性疾病带来了希望。它们还允许一次性治疗，可以运送到地球的四个角落，为重病和不治之症带来数年、数十年或终生的好处。

Imagine a cure for aids or sickle-cell disease that could be taken to the continent of Africa or across the Middle East. The accompanying benefits would be similar to the eradication of smallpox. This tantalising promise has been made possible by a prodigious investment in fundamental research over the years.

想象一下，治疗艾滋病或镰状细胞疾病的方法可以被带到非洲大陆或整个中东地区。随之而来的好处将类似于根除天花的效果。多年来，在基础研究方面的巨大投资使这一诱人的承诺成为可能。

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