Most scientists agreed that cloning an entire human being-besides morally
questionable-was filled with technical problems. After all, research into animal cloning
has already shown that there are hundreds of failures, includingmanybadlydeformed
(畸形的)creatures that were usually miscarried.
Now comes word that it might be easier to clone humans than was previously
believed. People have a genetic quirk(怪癖) that might prevent some of the
developmental deformities associated with animal cloning. One gene, called IGF2R,
is normally imprinted in sheep, cows and mice but not in humans. Human clones would
always inherit non-imprinted IGF2R genes, so there would be no chance of a mix-up
and, their growth would be normal. But what of the other 49 0r so imprinted genes
(遗传基因 ) ?No one knows what troublethey might cause. So the fact humans have
one less imprinted gene than mice, sheep or cows means that human
cloningmightbemarginally (轻微地 ,很少地 ) easier , but not necessarily safer.
On April twenty-second, some American children stayed out of school but they were
not punished. They were with their parents. As Faith Lapidus tells us, it was Take Our
Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
The Ms. Foundation for Women started the program seventeen years ago, in 1993.
At first it was just called Take Our Daughters to Work. Gloria Steinem and other
foundation leaders pointed to studies showing that self-image suffers as girls become
teenagers. They can lose trust in their abilities and intelligence, especially in areas like
science, math and technology. So the Ms. Foundation planned a day for parents in
New York City to show girls all the possibilities for them in the professional world.
But there was so much interest, the organizers decided to make it national.
At first, girls mostly followed their mom or dad around at work to learn about their
jobs. Later, employers and schools began to offer organized activities. But from the
beginning there were protests (反对) from parents and others about the exception of
boys. So in 2003 the day was renamed Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work.
2007 was the last year that the Ms. Foundation for Women headed the program.
Now, the event is run by a twelve-person group called the Take Our Daughters and
Sons to Work Foundation.
Carolyn McKecuen is president of the foundation. She says a total of about
thirty-three million children and adults are involved in the program. About one-third
of the adults work at large companies or nonprofit organizations. Another third are
in small businesses. The rest work in education.
Carolyn McKeeuen says the numbers from this year"s event are not final yet. But
early reports suggest that participation was up at least ten percent from last year. And
she says the foundation is hoping to find support to expand the program internationally.
She says there are lots of requests from other countries for information about how to
set up similar programs.
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