2. 外语
  3. Defending the Theory of Evolution Still Seems Needed Judith S. Weis, a biology professor who serves as president of the Amer

Defending the Theory of Evolution Still Seems Needed Judith S. Weis, a biology professor who serves as president of the Amer

admin2011-01-02  82
问题               Defending the Theory of Evolution Still Seems Needed
    Judith S. Weis, a biology professor who serves as president of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is leading a nationwide effort to "defend" the theory of evolution. Weis leads the effort in the face of what the institute views as opposition and indifference from school boards and government entities.
    The Institute believes that the teaching of evolution in America is being diminished by the teaching of creationism as well as by an overall lack of teaching Darwin’s theory in high school. "There’s nothing that requires schools to teach evolution. Sometimes teachers in high schools just leave it out. However from the point of view of biologists, evolution is the central theory of biology upon which everything is based," said Weis. "Unfortunately, teaching evolution has become a political issue in many parts of the country and AIBS, as a representative of biologists, wanted to be a major force speaking out in favor of its teaching. "
    Weis said the institute is working together with the American Geological Institute and the National Association of Biology Teachers and its 80-plus member organizations to address" the political and legislative threats to teaching evolution. In states challenging its teaching, the institute responds by sending letters to school boards and state legislatures, by providing testimony at public meetings and by notifying members and affiliated organizations. AIBS, with more than 80 member societies and 250,000 members, has established an email system enabling scientists and teachers in each state, and member societies, to keep each other informed about threats to the teaching of evolution.
    Darwin’s theory of evolution holds that living things change and adapt to their environment and that present-day species ( including human beings) are descended from earlier species through modification by natural selection. The theory has been accepted by scientists for nearly 100 years, Weis said, and has been refined, extended and strengthened over the years by findings in paleontology and developmental biology. Discoveries in genetics, molecular biology and genomics—all of which provide significant benefits for human health—would not be possible without the underlying knowledge of evolution. And, Weis adds, "modem molecular biology and genomics have increased our understanding of how evolution works." Nonetheless, evolution remains a politically, if not scientifically, controversial issue.
    Weis said that this year alone, seven states have had either local or statewide efforts to water down the teaching of evolution, or "balance" it with the teaching of creationism—a religious belief that different species were created separately by a higher power, such as God. "Rarely does anyone now use the word ’ creationism, ’ because that’s too obvious," Weis said. "The current terminology is ’ intelligent design. ’ "
According to Weis in the 5th paragraph, the theory of evolution ______.
选项 A、is fundamental to the development of modem genetics, molecular biology and geonomics
B、is a political issue
C、is based on genetics, molecular biology and geonomics
D、has increased our understanding of human health
答案A
解析 该段第一句告诉我们，没有进化论作为基础知识不可能有遗传学、分子生物学和基因学上的发现。所以A是正确选项。
转载请注明原文地址:https://www.kaotiyun.com/show/LyLd777K
本试题收录于： 职称英语理工类A级题库职称英语分类
0

职称英语理工类A级

职称英语

相关试题推荐
随机试题
最新回复(0)