Reading Passage Question
Until now, efforts at preventing the proliferation of bioweapons have relied on limiting access to the pathogens themselves. However, if terrorists can produce a bioweapon from genome information alone, the same logic suggests that access to genetic information should also be restricted. Scientists have begun to discuss the restriction of the export of critical pieces of DNA. This measure could be extended to the three big genome databases.
Scientists have long been aware of the potential dangers. The creation of polio, for instance, was forecast months ago in an essay in Nature Immunology pointing out that it would be simple to build an artificial polio virus. Nevertheless, most scientists still oppose any attempts to restrict access to information. Earlier this year, the US Department of Defense dropped proposals for checking any research it funds for "sensitive" information before it is published, after scientists protested that this would impede research needed to defend against bioweapons.
This was the case with anthrax. Unlike some other potential bioweapons, anthrax still exists in nature, infecting animals and sometimes humans, and samples are held in many labs worldwide. There is no reason for a terrorist to try to recreate it. The same is not true of Ebola, smallpox or the 1918 flu virus. Even so, when the American Society for Microbiology considered whether it should publish the smallpox genome, it reasoned that the benefits in terms of understanding the virus and designing drugs outweighed the risks.
Not all scientists share such views. Raymond Zilinskas of the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California thinks some limits should be placed on the publication of information on organisms such as smallpox. Zilinskas contends that most scientists feel that basic research should not be restricted in this fashion. But where does one cross the line? He and others have proposed that professional societies and editorial boards at scientific journals should exert more control.
Even if they do not, the decision could be taken out of their hands. In addition to international measures, individual governments are also cracking down. The USA Patriot Act passed this year allows the federal government to stop some foreign nationals working in the US from getting access to certain pathogens and toxins. The US could extend this to cover access to genetic sequences as well.
“Until Now, Efforts at Preventing the Proliferation of Bioweapons Have” is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates must have a solid grip in English GMAT reading comprehension. There are 4 multiple choice questions in the above GMAT Reading Comprehension passages. GMAT Reading Comprehension Questions are delineated to evaluate candidates’ abilities to analyze and be conceptual for the answers. Candidates can brace up and take preparation by answering GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.
Solution and Explanation
- The passage is primarily concerned with
(A) detailing the evidence that supports the claim that genetic information should be restricted
(B) outlining the factors that have contributed to the restriction of genetic information
(C) evaluating whether sensitive genetic information should be restricted in light of the danger of bioterrorism.
(D) summarizing the differences between genetic research in free countries and such research in countries that promote terrorism.
(E) formulating a hypothesis about the proliferation of bioweapons.
Answer: C
Explanation: Option(C) will be highly applicable for this question. The passage states that if terrorist can make a bioweapon from genome data alone, then the same logic suggests that approach. Access to genetic information should also be prohibited. The US Department of Defense dropped offers for checking any research termed as “sensitive” information before its publications. This was published after scientists objected that this would obstruct research which is needed for defending bioweapons. Anthrax and Ebola can be regarded as an example, infecting animals and humans. The different views of such scientists initiate partial access which can be helpful for the human being. So, the lengthy access of the USA Patriot Act can be more favorable.
- Terrorists would be unlikely to try to steal genetic information about anthrax because
(A) it is difficult to control and could therefore be a threat to the terrorists themselves.
(B) they do not have the necessary know-how to utilize genetic information to build anthrax powder
(C) actual anthrax is not only available in nature, but also in laboratories.
(D) the American Society for Microbiology has limited the dissemination of genetic information on anthrax.
(E) the American Society for Microbiology has published genetic information on anthrax.
Answer: C
Explanation: Here, option(C) will be applicable for this question. In the case of Anthrax, Dissimilar to some other potential bioweapons, anthrax still prevails in the atmosphere. This harms both animals and humans. The samples are held in many labs around the globe. There is no logic for a terrorist for their trying to rebuild it. Thus the actual anthrax is available in both laboratories and aso in nature.
- All of the following statements are supported by the passage EXCEPT:
(A) the smallpox genome has been published by the American Society for Microbiology
(B) federal government has stopped some foreign nationals from accessing to certain toxins
(C) Raymond Zilinskas of the Monterey Institute believes the anthrax genome should not be published
(D) Most scientists oppose any attempts to restrict access to information
(E) it would not be difficult for a bioterrorist to build an artificial polio virus
Answer: C
Explanation: Third paragraph of the passage fits best against this question. It states that not all scientists such as Raymond Zilinskas of the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California think of some limits. The limits should be placed on the publishing of the information on organisms, for instance smallpox. Zilinskas asserts that most scientists feel that basic research should not be prohibited in this regard.
- It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following is true?
(A) The USA Patriot Act will eventually stop all foreign workers from access to genomes.
(B) It is not known whether or not bioterrorists have to skill to produce an actual bioweapon from genome information alone.
(C) The Ebola virus affects animals.
(D) According to Nature Immunology magazine, some terrorists have built an artificial polio virus
(E) The three big genome databases have restricted of the export of critical pieces of DNA.
Answer: B
Explanation: The above passage states that the efforts of obstructing the proliferation of bioweapons based on limiting access to the pathogens themselves. Although, if terrorists can produce a bioweapon from genome data in solo, the same logic states the genetic information permission should also be restricted. Thus, option(B) will be the correct one. It is described in brief that it is unknown whether or not bioterrorists have the skill to produce an actual bioweapon in a solo manner.
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