美文晨读：科学是我们的朋友还是敌人

【内容概述】

科学是我们的朋友还是敌人：公众对于科学的态度始终是矛盾的：一方面，他们希望由科学技术发展所带来的生活水准的提高可以一直延续；另一方面，他们又认为科学正在超出人类可以控制的范围。

【美文赏读】

A recent study, while showing a generally positive attitude toward science, also suggests a widespread worry that it may be "running out of control".[1] This idea is dangerous.

Science can be a force[2] for evil as well as for good. Its applications can be channeled[3] either way, depending on our decisions. The decisions we make, personally or collectively, will determine the outcomes of science. But here is a real danger. Science is advancing so fast and is so strongly influenced by businesses that we are likely to believe whatever decisions we come to will make little difference.[4] And, rather than fighting for the best possible policies, we may step back and do nothing.

Some people go even further. They say that despite the moral and legal objection(反对), whatever is scientifically possible will be done—somewhere, sometime. They believe that science will get out of control in the end. This belief is dangerous too, because it fuels[5] a sense of hopelessness and discourages them from making efforts to build a safer world.

In our interconnected world, the lack of agreement in and out of the world of science can lead to the failure to control the use of science. Without a common understanding, the challenges of "controlling" science in this century will be really tough. Take human cloning for example. Despite the general agreement among scientists on its possible huge impact（影响）on traditional moral values, some countries still go ahead with the research and development of its related techniques. The outcomes are hard to predict.

Therefore, discussions on how science is applied should be extended far beyond scientific societies. Only through the untied efforts of people with hope, can we be fully safe against the misuse of science and can science best serve mankind in the future[6]

【精品注释】

[1] 译文：最近的一个研究表明人们大体上对科学持有积极态度，同时也表明了一种普遍的担心。人们担心科学终有一天会失控。suggest是高考常考词汇，其常见意义为"建议，提议"，用法有

(1) suggest + sth/doing sth 例如：He suggests a meeting this afternoon. 他建议下午开个会。

(2) suggest + that clause 例如：I suggest that you (should) give me a phone call before you go there around. 我建议你去那之前给我打个电话。文中的意思为"显示，表明，暗示出"，

例如：The evidence suggests that single fathers are more tired than single mothers.

这些证据都表明单身爸爸要比单身妈妈累得多。

This story suggests a truth that everyone has a talent.

这个故事表明每个人都有天赋。

[2] force 此处意为"力量"，the force of good/evil 善/恶的力量。再如：the forces of nature 自然力量；productive forces 生产力。

[3] channel的本意是"运送"，"引导"，此处是比喻的含义，指科学被人利用到不同的场景。整句话的意思是：（科学本无善恶），对于科学的正反利用完全是按照我们人类的意志而达成。

[4] 译文：科技发展发展如此之迅速而且极大的受到了商业的影响以至于我们几乎都相信无论我们做什么决定都无济于事。come to a decision 意为"做出一个决定"。

[5] fuel常见词义为"燃料"，作为动词词义为"给……供给燃料"，例如：

(1) a car with high fuel consumption. 油耗大的车

(2) In the past, coal was used to fuel most of the power station. 在过去，煤炭是大多数发电厂的发电燃料。此处用作比喻词义："增强，加强"。例如：Failing to pass the exam fuels his frustration. 考试的失败增加了他的挫败感。

[6] 这是only 置于句首修饰状语而引起的倒装句式。全句的意思为：只有大家充满希望、团结一致，我们才能在应对科学误用的过程中保全自己；也只有这样，科学才能在未来更好地服务人类。