Table of Contents
BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 280
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – PASSAGE – 3
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST
READING PASSAGE 3
It’s all in the Genes
What is genetic engineering? It means a direct manipulation of the DNA to alter the characteristics of an organism. Jack Williamson first considered the term ‘genetic engineering’ for his sci-fi novel ‘Dragon’s Island. A year later Martha Chase and Alfred Hershey confirmed that DNA plays a role in heredity. The next year, in 1953, the double helix structure of DNA was finally discovered but, the concept of manipulation of genes was explored much before in 1936 in Stanley Weinbaum’s ‘Proteus Island’.
When science fiction explored this theme, it was mostly in manipulating genes in a way that may lead to a mutation or the formation of some rare species. However, science has been most concerned about using genetic engineering as a means of either improving life or health. We may not yet have fully explored the potential that genetic engineering has to offer, but what we do have at present has proved useful.
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Gene manipulation has been studied mainly in animal husbandry, improving health and strength in animal breeds. This is because natural selection deals with the rule of the fittest and strongest as the best subjects to propagate their breed. Genetic engineering has been applied in agricultural practices as well. Plants and especially vegetables were a whole new ball game altogether and hence, with the advent of gene manipulation, a new frontier found itself in the horizon.
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Through gene manipulation, we have our super crops and have also solved to some extent one problem that continually resurfaces with the expansion of human population; how can a limited amount of area feed a growing number of mouths? We need to optimise available resources by having only the best seeds used. Thus, we reduce the chances of a weak crop and also have a more flourishing one.
Agriculture is not the only area with the scope for gene modification. One of the rising health problems of our sedentary lifestyle is increasing type-one diabetes, which is insulin-dependent. Where does this insulin come from? Insulin is a type of protein that helps in the process of the regulation of the levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes causes problems in insulin production, and so injections are needed for the same. Interestingly yeast and bacteria, that too the E. coli bacteria, has been used to make the insulin that matches our own and thus, can be used by diabetic people. Therefore, through genetic engineering, such people can have the chance of living a healthy life.
A third area is the industries. Oil spills have been cleared by using the bacteria which have been genetically modified to serve this specific purpose.
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There have been several controversies over the years about safety and ethics in the use of genetic engineering. There are fears that genetic manipulation can lead to the cloning of human beings and create designer babies, handing over a vulnerable tool for manipulation to the rich and powerful. There is also fear that we may disturb the balance of nature by letting loose a species that may create havoc with mankind and threaten our very existence.
However, it seems so far, at least, the pros outweigh the cons. Fortunately, till date, there have been no negative findings to raise concern as countries are making stringent laws to control genetic engineering. Every discovery comes with its risks. It is up to us to use it to our best advantage without harming ourselves.
There was a time when genetic engineering would have seemed a miracle, but science has turned miracles into reality by modifying the systems of the natural world. With further research in DNA and genes, we will be better able to understand not only the functions of the human body but also of flora and fauna of the world around us.
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Questions 27-32
Choose YES if the statement agrees with the claims of the writer of the passage, choose NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer, or choose NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.
27. Chase and Hershey adopted the term genetic engineering from the fiction Dragon’s Island.
28. Scientists and novelists exploited the idea of altering the genome to produce unusual living forms.
29. Our achievements in genetic engineering are yet too small to be fruitful.
30. Increasing the yield of land by gene manipulation is possible.
31. Type one diabetes can be completely cured by injecting insulin produced from bacteria.
32. Gene modification is the only effective solution to oil spills.
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Questions 33-40
Complete the summary using the list of words. Choose the correct word
The benefits of gene manipulation have been explored in various fields. It has been used to breed healthier 33 ____________ as well as to have improved crops. Partially, it has provided a solution to the 34 __________ problem of feeding the 35 ___________ population. But, this is not all. Insulin, which is inoculated in Type-1 diabetic patients to 36 ___________ the blood sugar level, has been obtained from a 37_____________ bacteria by the application of genetic engineering.
However, there are 38 ____________ about the misuse of gene manipulation to 39 ___________ humans and producing designer babies. But, with nations working on strict regulation, no 40 ____________ of such abuse has been found yet.
Livestock Replicate Evidence Controversies
Reduce Frequently Recurrent Increasing
Apprehensions Specific Chances Plants
Modify Decreasing Control
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ANSWERS ARE BELOW
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ANSWERS
27 NOT GIVEN
28 NO
29 NO
30 YES
31 NOT GIVEN
32 NOT GIVEN
33 livestock
34 recurrent
35 increasing
36 control
37 specific
38 apprehensions
39 replicate
40 evidence
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