SCIENTISTS have discovered that living to the age of 100 may have nothing to do

SCIENTISTShave discovered that living to the age of 100 may have nothing to do with thelifestyle you lead and everything to do with the type of genes (基因) you have.

For thelucky carriers of “Methuselah” genes, worries over smoking, eating unhealthilyand not getting enough exercise may not be as necessary as to those of uswithout the special gene pattern .

The“Methuselah” genes could give extra protection against the diseases of old agesuch as cancer and heart disease. They could also protect people against theeffects of the unhealthy lifestyles that we believe will lead us to an earlydeath, scientists say. However, the genes are very rare.

The genesinclude ADIPOQ, which is found in about 10 percent of young people but innearly 30 percent of people living past 100. They also include the CETP and theApoC3 genes, which are found in 10 percent of young people, but in about 20percent of people over 100 years old.

Some ofthose genes were discovered by a research group at the Albert Einstein Collegeof Medicine in New York, led by Professor Nir Barzilai. The team studied thegenes of over 500 people over 100 years old, and their children.

Thestudies show that tiny mutations (变异) in the make-up of some genes can greatly increase a person’slifespan. Barzilai told a Royal Society conference that the discovery of suchgenes gave scientists clear targets for developing drugs that could preventage-related diseases, allow people to live longer and stay healthy.

DavidGems, a researcher at University College London, believes that drugs to slowageing will become widespread.

“If weknow which genes control longevity (长寿) then we can … target them with drugs. That makes it possible toslow down ageing,” he told The Times.

“Much ofthe pain and suffering in the world are caused by ageing. If we can find a wayto reduce that, then we are obliged to take it.”

1.According to the article, which of the following is the most important if aperson is to live to the age of 100?

A. Eatinghealthy food every day.

B. Havingthe right types of genes.

C. Havinga healthy lifestyle.

D. Takingdrugs that prevent ageing.

2.Accordingto the article, the ApoC3 gene is found in ______ of people over 100 years old.

A.10%           B.20%          C.30%       D. 50%

3.Which ofthe following statements is TRUE of the research led by Professor Nir Barzilai?

A. Theteam studied the genes of over 100 people over 100 years of age.

B. Theresearchers found that mutations in certain genes lead to longer life.

C. Theresearchers found ways to develop drugs that could cure age-related diseases.

D. Thestudy suggested that most people have genes that could lengthen their lives.

4.According to David Gems, ______.

A. drugsto slow ageing will be very expensive

B. modernscience will be able to find more longevity genes

C. it isthe duty of medical scientists to fight the problems of ageing

D.scientists can make new genes that will allow longer life

试题答案

【答案】

1.B

2.B

3.B

4.C

【解析】略