2006年VOA标准英语-US Government Approves Use of Silicone Breast I

By Carol Pearson
Washington, DC
21 November 2006
 
watch Breast Implants² report

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted its 11-year ban on silicone implants.  But the decision is not without controversy³. 

Silicone and saline implants

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned most silicone implants in 1992 because of reports that ruptured⁴ implants and leaking silicone could lead to cancer, autoimmune disease and connective tissue disorders⁵.

The FDA now says the claims are not supported by scientific review.

Spokeswoman Donna-Bea Tillman.  "Based on extensive data on the implants, and because we've determined⁶ they are safe and effective."

Breast enlargement is one of the most popular cosmetic⁷ surgeries in many countries.  One manufacturer (Mentor) says more than one million women in over 50 countries have had its product implanted. 

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons applauds the FDA decision. Spokeswoman Dr. Roxanne Guy says, "We have listened to exhaustive studies.  We have read reams of paperwork, and it's time for science to take back over here, where emotion has run rampant⁸ in the past."

Women, such as Denise Pardue, who simply wanted to enlarge their breasts, had been limited to saline implants.  She plans to have her saline implants replaced by silicone. "I've gotten an opportunity to look at them and feel them and they just look and feel so much more natural to me."

Critics of the decision, like Diana Zuckerman, describe it as a "low point" for the FDA. "It really tarnishes⁹ their image to approve a product that has not been proven safe for long-term use."

The Food and Drug Administration is requiring implant¹ manufacturers to conduct extensive safety studies --- following 40,000 women for ten years.

It is also urging women who get the implants to get regular checkups to make sure the devices have not ruptured.

1 implant   

vt.注入，植入，灌输

参考例句：

• A good teacher should implant high ideals in children.好教师应该把高尚理想灌输给孩子们。
• The operation to implant the artificial heart took two hours.人工心脏植入手术花费了两小时。

2 implants   

n.（植入身体中的）移植物( implant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Hormone implants are used as growth boosters. 激素植入物被用作生长辅助剂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Perhaps the most far-reaching project is an initiative called Living Implants From Engineering (LIFE). 也许最具深远意义的项目，是刚刚启动的建造活体移植工程 (LIFE)。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 医学的第四次革命

3 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

4 ruptured   

v.（使）破裂( rupture的过去式和过去分词 )；（使体内组织等）断裂；使（友好关系）破裂；使绝交

参考例句：

• They reported that the pipeline had ruptured. 他们报告说管道已经破裂了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The wall through Berlin was finally ruptured, prefiguring the reunification of Germany. 柏林墙终于倒塌了，预示着德国的重新统一。 来自辞典例句

5 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

7 cosmetic   

n.化妆品；adj.化妆用的；装门面的；装饰性的

参考例句：

• These changes are purely cosmetic.这些改变纯粹是装饰门面。
• Laughter is the best cosmetic,so grin and wear it!微笑是最好的化妆品，所以请尽情微笑吧！

8 rampant   

adj.(植物)蔓生的；狂暴的，无约束的

参考例句：

• Sickness was rampant in the area.该地区疾病蔓延。
• You cannot allow children to rampant through the museum.你不能任由小孩子在博物馆里乱跑。

9 tarnishes   

污点，瑕疵，无光泽( tarnish的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brass tarnishes quickly in wet weather. 天气潮湿时黄铜很快会失去光泽。
• This metal tarnishes easily. 这种金属易变色。