1、Unit 2 Cloning Pandas can be saved by cloningChina has been exploring every possible means of saving giantpandas，one of the worlds most endangered species，frombecoming extinct，even if it means resorting to(诉诸)cloning them.Chen Dayuan，a senior scientist who specializes in cloning atthe Institute of Z
2、oology in the Chinese Academy of Sciences，introduced the idea of performing cloning techniques on giant pandasin 1998.Using initial funding of 100,000 yuan，Chen successfullyproduced blastocysts(胚泡)by transplanting the somatic nucleusfrom sample pandas into the egg cells of rabbits.The move was consi
3、dered as one of the 10 biggest achievementsof science and technology in 1999.It won an award of 6 million yuanand further funding of 5 million yuan for the project from theMinistry of Science and Technology.At first，two embryos were created from a surrogate mother(代母)cat who became pregnant after be
4、ing injected with a blastocyst，but the experiment was abandoned after the cat died.Chen and his team then experimented with surrogacy on blackbears.After three years of effort，a black bear became pregnant andthe shape of a fetus(胎儿)could be seen on an ultrasound scan(超声波扫描检查)However，the research was
5、 stopped in 2005 becausethe fetus did not completely develop before the projects deadline.“Those who are against cloning have made their voices heardthroughout the research project on cloning giant pandas.Some peoplebelieve cloning goes against nature，but it is actually a pioneeringtechnology.Ifsucc
6、essful，itisawaytosaveendangeredanimals，”Chen said.Some scientists take a different view.“While I agree thatresearch on cloning is meaningful，it is inappropriate to use giantpandas in this type of experiment.The number of pandas is limitedandhumanbeingshaveyettomasterknowledgeaboutpandaspregnancy.Clo
7、ningwoulddolittletosavethespecies，”said Wang Dajun，a researcher at the School of LifeSciences，Peking University.In response，Chen said that he would continue his research.Read the passage and answer the following questions.1Do you think pandas can be saved by cloning？Why?答案：略。2Why are some scientists against cloning pandas?答案：Because they think cloning goes against nature.谢谢观看！
