经济学人349:人类本质 什么是人类

 　　Science and technology

　　科学技术

　　The nature of humanity

　　人类本质

　　What's a man?

　　什么是人类

　　Studies of brain genetics are starting to reveal what makes humans human

　　大脑遗传研究，为你解开人之所以为人的奥秘

　　THE problem with understanding human uniqueness is precisely³ that it is unique.

　　研究人类独特性的难题在于这个独特性本身就很独特。

　　人类.jpg

　　Though the proper study of mankind may be man, that study will yield little if there is no reference point to compare man with.

　　虽然人类研究的主体对象是人，但是如果没有比照对象的参与，研究很难有所突破。

　　That, at least, is the philosophy of Svante Paabo of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary⁴ Anthropology⁵, in Leipzig.

　　至少，来自莱比锡马克斯普朗克进化人类研究所的斯万特帕珀是这样认为的。

　　Dr Paabo, whose work on fossil DNA⁶ was the inspiration for Jurassic Park,

　　帕珀博士主要研究化石的DNA，正是受到《侏罗纪公园》启发，

　　has since become interested in human evolution.

　　他对人类进化史产生了浓厚的兴趣。

　　To this end, he and his colleagues have sequenced the DNA of both Neanderthal man and an Asian species of prehistoric⁷ human,

　　为了一探究竟，他和同事将穴居人和史前亚洲人种,

　　the Denisovians, which Dr Paabo's own work identified.

　　帕珀博士将其定义为丹尼索维亚人的DNA按序排列。

　　Now he has turned his attentions to modern Homo sapiens.

　　现在他又将注意力转移到了现代智人身上。

　　In collaboration⁸ with a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences,

　　帕珀博士和同事菲利普卡托维奇与中国科学院的科学家们相互合作，

　　Dr Paabo and his colleague Philipp Khaitovich have compared genetic² activity over the course of a lifetime in the brains of humans, chimpanzees and rhesus monkeys.

　　将人类，猩猩，以及恒河猴有生之年的大脑遗传活动进行了比对。

　　They have then matched what they found with what is known of Neanderthals,

　　随后，他们将研究成果同穴居人研究成果相配对，

　　and think they have thus discovered at least part of the genetic difference between Homo sapiens and the others that creates human uniqueness.

　　并发现了智人和其他物种的差异，至少是部分差异。正是这些差异造就了人类独一无二的特性。

　　Dr Paabo and his colleagues focused their examination,

　　帕珀博士和同事十分重视实验，

　　just published in Genome Research, on two parts of the brain.

　　他们只在《基因研究》杂志上刊登了大脑两个区域的研究成果。

　　One was the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,

　　区域一是大脑背外侧前额皮层，

　　which is the seat of abstract reasoning and social behaviour,things that humans are particularly good at.

　　主管抽象思考和社交行为一类人类尤为擅长的活动。

　　The other was the lateral¹⁰ cerebellar cortex, which is more to do with manual abilities.

　　区域二是同动手能力联系密切的外侧小脑皮层。

　　They extracted cells, post mortem, from people, chimps¹¹ and monkeys of many ages, and looked at which genes¹² had been active in these cells when the owners were alive.

　　他们从不同年龄层的人类，黑猩猩以及猴子尸体上提取相关细胞，然后观察哪些基因在宿主存活时表现活跃。

　　The vortex of the cortex

　　皮层漩涡

　　They did this by examining the RNA in the cells.

　　他们通过检验细胞中的RNA来进行观察。

　　RNA molecules¹³ are single-stranded copies of the double-helical DNA genes in the cell nucleus¹⁴.

　　RNA分子是细胞核内的双螺旋DNA基因的单链拷贝。

　　Their job is to carry instructions from the genes to a cell's protein-making machinery¹⁵.

　　RNA的工作是把基因的指令带到细胞的蛋白质形成机构内。

　　Most primate¹⁶ genes have now been identified,

　　现在大部分灵长类动物的基因都已被识别出来，

　　so it is possible to make chips covered with complementary strands¹⁷ to the RNA messengers,

　　所以人类可以制作一张芯片，在上面布满结构互补的单链RNA，

　　to which these messengers will uniquely stick, and which thus act as probes for particular messenger molecules.

　　因为信使RNA会与其紧密结合，所以可以专门用该芯片来搜寻携带遗传信息的分子。

　　Using such chips, Dr Khaitovich and Dr Paabo were able to find out when, during the course of life, particular genes were active,

　　卡托维奇博士和帕珀博士计算出了不同年龄段的不同个体的大脑的特定区域内每个基因细胞里的RNA数量，

　　by working out how much RNA from each gene¹ cells from particular parts of the brains of individuals of different ages contained.

　　并利用该芯片，找出了一生中表现活跃的几个特定基因。

　　Their results fell into six categories.

　　以下是他们的六大发现。

　　First, they found some genes whose expression patterns over a lifetime were uniquely human and others that were uniquely chimpanzee.

　　发现一，有的基因的表达方式为人类特有，有的为猩猩特有，

　　Second, they discovered that there were more uniquely human expression patterns than uniquely chimp⁹ ones.

　　发现二，人类特有的基因表达要多于猩猩。

　　Third, unique human expression patterns were more common in the prefrontal cortex than in the cerebellum.

　　发现三，人类特有的基因表达多出现与前额叶皮层，而不是小脑。

　　Fourth, though these uniquely expressed genes were most active in the young of all species,

　　发现四，尽管这些物种特有的表达基因最活跃的时期都在青年期，

　　their period of activity was several years longer in humans than in the others.

　　但是人类基因的活跃期较长，能持续数年。

　　Fifth, the activities of a lot of the uniquely active genes seemed to be correlated:

　　发现五，许多活跃基因所进行的活动是相互联系的:

　　the researchers identified seven groups of genes which each seemed to be working as a module¹⁸.

　　研究者发现了七组基因，似乎每一组都是独立的单元。

　　And sixth, these modular genes seem to be involved in the crucial job of linking nerve cells together through junctions¹⁹ called synapses²⁰.

　　发现六：这些单位基因组似乎在担子不轻，它们要经过各个枢纽将神经细胞连接到一起，这些枢纽名叫突触。

　　To summarise²¹, human beings have suites²² of genes that probably cause their brains to be plastic,

　　总之，人类特有的一套套基因让大脑具备了可塑性，

　　and thus receptive to change far longer than is true for chimps or monkeys.

　　而且应变能力的维持时间要远远长于猩猩和猴子的大脑。

　　Moreover, Dr Khaitovich was able to work out how the expression of these modules²³ of genes was co-ordinated,

　　另外，卡托维奇博士通过观察控制基因单位的开关，

　　by looking at the switches, known as transcription factors, that turn them on and off.

　　也就是众所周知的转录因子，已经能够解答各个基因单位的表达是如何协调的问题。

　　Indeed, by comparing modern genomes with their discoveries about Neanderthals Dr Paabo's group has found that the regulatory process for one of the modules came into existence after the modern human and Neanderthal lines separated from one another, about 300,000 years ago.

　　的确，通过比对现代人基因组和穴居人研究成果，帕珀博士一行人已经发现了某组基因的调节过程，早在30万年前，当现代人类从穴居人家系中分离出来时，该组基因就已存在。

　　Unfortunately, it is not possible to look at the expression pattern of genes in Neanderthals, and it probably never will be.

　　然而不幸的是，现在已经无法观察穴居人的基因表达方式，而且可能再也看不到了。

　　But it might be possible, as knowledge advances, to reconstruct part of it from a better understanding of that extinct species's DNA.

　　但是随着知识的积累，科学倒是家可以凭借对已消亡的物种的DNA更深入的了解，将穴居人的部分基因重现出来。

　　Pleistocene Park, anybody?

　　拍一部《更新世公园》，怎么样？

1 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

2 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

3 precisely   

adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地

参考例句：

• It's precisely that sort of slick sales-talk that I mistrust.我不相信的正是那种油腔滑调的推销宣传。
• The man adjusted very precisely.那个人调得很准。

4 evolutionary   

adj.进化的；演化的，演变的；[生]进化论的

参考例句：

• Life has its own evolutionary process.生命有其自身的进化过程。
• These are fascinating questions to be resolved by the evolutionary studies of plants.这些十分吸引人的问题将在研究植物进化过程中得以解决。

5 anthropology   

n.人类学

参考例句：

• I believe he has started reading up anthropology.我相信他已开始深入研究人类学。
• Social anthropology is centrally concerned with the diversity of culture.社会人类学主要关于文化多样性。

6 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

7 prehistoric   

adj.（有记载的）历史以前的，史前的，古老的

参考例句：

• They have found prehistoric remains.他们发现了史前遗迹。
• It was rather like an exhibition of prehistoric electronic equipment.这儿倒像是在展览古老的电子设备。

8 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

9 chimp   

n.黑猩猩

参考例句：

• In fact,the color of gorilla and chimp are light-color.其实大猩猩和黑猩猩的肤色是较为浅的。
• The chimp is the champ.猩猩是冠军。

10 lateral   

adj.侧面的，旁边的

参考例句：

• An airfoil that controls lateral motion.能够控制横向飞行的机翼。
• Mr.Dawson walked into the court from a lateral door.道森先生从一个侧面的门走进法庭。

11 chimps   

（非洲）黑猩猩( chimp的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Chimps are too scarce, and too nearly human, to be routinely slaughtered for spare parts. 黑猩猩又太少，也太接近于人类，不可以作为人器官备用件说杀就杀。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 医学的第四次革命
• And as nonprimates, they provoke fewer ethical and safety-related concerns than chimps or baboons. 而且作为非灵长类，就不会产生像用黑猩猩或狒狒那样的伦理和安全方面的顾虑。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 医学的第四次革命

12 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

13 molecules   

分子( molecule的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. 分子的结构可在电子显微镜下观察到。
• Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules. 在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。

14 nucleus   

n.核，核心，原子核

参考例句：

• These young people formed the nucleus of the club.这些年轻人成了俱乐部的核心。
• These councils would form the nucleus of a future regime.这些委员会将成为一个未来政权的核心。

15 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

16 primate   

n.灵长类（目）动物，首席主教；adj.首要的

参考例句：

• 14 percent of primate species are highly endangered.14%的灵长类物种处于高度濒危状态。
• The woolly spider monkey is the largest primate in the Americas.绒毛蛛猴是美洲最大的灵长类动物。

17 strands   

n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Twist a length of rope from strands of hemp. 用几股麻搓成了一段绳子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She laced strands into a braid. 她把几股线编织成一根穗带。 来自《简明英汉词典》

18 module   

n.组件，模块，模件；(航天器的)舱

参考例句：

• The centre module displays traffic guidance information.中央模块显示交通引导信息。
• Two large tanks in the service module held liquid oxygen.服务舱的两个大气瓶中装有液态氧。

19 junctions   

联结点( junction的名词复数 )； 会合点； （公路或铁路的）交叉路口； （电缆等的）主结点

参考例句：

• Metals which were mutually soluble would tend to give strong junctions. 可互溶的金属趋向于产生牢固的结合点。
• Some adhering junctions are present as narrow bands connecting two cells. 有些粘附连接以一窄带的形式连接两个细胞。

20 synapses   

n.（神经元的）突触( synapse的名词复数 )；染色体结合( synapsis的名词复数 )；联会；突触；（神经元的）触处

参考例句：

• Nerve cells communicate with one another at the synapses, where their membranes almost touch. 神经细胞在突触部位彼此沟通，在这里它们的膜几乎接触到一起了。 来自辞典例句
• Glutamatergic synapses are common excitatory chemical connections in mammalian central nervous system. 谷氨酸性突触是哺乳动物神经系统的主要兴奋性突触。 来自互联网

21 summarise   

vt.概括，总结

参考例句：

• I will summarise what I have done.我将概述我所做的事情。
• Of course,no one article can summarise the complexities of china today.当然，没有哪一篇文章能概括出中国今日的复杂性。

22 suites   

n.套( suite的名词复数 )；一套房间；一套家具；一套公寓

参考例句：

• First he called upon all the Foreign Ministers in their hotel suites. 他首先到所有外交部长住的旅馆套间去拜访。 来自辞典例句
• All four doors to the two reserved suites were open. 预定的两个套房的四扇门都敞开着。 来自辞典例句

23 modules   

n.模块( module的名词复数 )；单元；（宇宙飞船上各个独立的）舱；组件

参考例句：

• The course consists of ten core modules and five optional modules. 这门课程包括十个必修单元和五个选修单元。
• Our English course is divided into modules on poetry, drama, and novels. 我们的英语课分为诗歌、戏剧和小说等单元。 来自《简明英汉词典》