Mousepox
There are many types of pox viruses that cause pox diseases in animals. Each type
of virus usually infects only one animal species. A magazine has reported that a
scientist has used genetic engineering to modify the DNA of mousepox. The altered virus
kills all the mice it infects. The scientist says research on modifying viruses is necessary in
order to control pests that damage human food. Critics of the research say viruses could
escape from laboratories and infect other animals. They are also worried that a modified pox
virus for one species could infect other species, especially humans. Humans are infected
with a pox virus called smallpox. Smallpox kills most people it infects. While it is thought
that this disease has been eliminated from the general population, smallpox virus samples are
kept in laboratories around the world.
2.a Critics have expressed concern that the mousepox virus could infect species other
than mice. Which one of the following reasons is the best explanation for this
concern?
(A) The genes of smallpox virus and the genes of modified mousepox virus are
identical.
(B) A mutation in mousepox DNA might allow the virus to infect other animals..
(C) A mutation could make the mousepox DNA identical to smallpox DNA.
(D) The number of genes in mousepox virus is the same as in other pox viruses.
1
2.b A person who criticised the research was worried that the modified mousepox virus
might escape from a laboratory. This virus could cause the extinction of some
species of mice.
Are the following outcomes likely if some species of mice become extinct? Circle
“Yes” or “No” in each case.
S n Is this outcome likely if some species of mice become
extinct?
Yes or No?
i Some food chains could be affected. Yes. / No
ii Domestic cats could die for lack of food. Yes / No.
1
2.c One company is trying to develop a virus that will make mice sterile (i.e., unable to
have babies). Such a virus could help control the number of mice.
Suppose the company is successful. Should the following questions be answered by
research before releasing the virus? Circle “Yes” or “No” in each case.
Should this question be answered before releasing the virus? Yes or No?
What is the best method for spreading the virus? Yes. / No
How soon will mice develop immunity to the virus? Yes. / No
Answers
Explanation:
Mousepox
There are many types of pox viruses that cause pox diseases in animals. Each type
of virus usually infects only one animal species. A magazine has reported that a
scientist has used genetic engineering to modify the DNA of mousepox. The altered virus
kills all the mice it infects. The scientist says research on modifying viruses is necessary in
order to control pests that damage human food. Critics of the research say viruses could
escape from laboratories and infect other animals. They are also worried that a modified pox
virus for one species could infect other species, especially humans. Humans are infected
with a pox virus called smallpox. Smallpox kills most people it infects. While it is thought
that this disease has been eliminated from the general population, smallpox virus samples are
kept in laboratories around the world.
2.a Critics have expressed concern that the mousepox virus could infect species other
than mice. Which one of the following reasons is the best explanation for this
concern?
(A) The genes of smallpox virus and the genes of modified mousepox virus are
identical.
(B) A mutation in mousepox DNA might allow the virus to infect other animals..
(C) A mutation could make the mousepox DNA identical to smallpox DNA.
(D) The number of genes in mousepox virus is the same as in other pox viruses.
1
2.b A person who criticised the research was worried that the modified mousepox virus
might escape from a laboratory. This virus could cause the extinction of some
species of mice.
Are the following outcomes likely if some species of mice become extinct? Circle
“Yes” or “No” in each case.
S n Is this outcome likely if some species of mice become
extinct?
Yes or No?
i Some food chains could be affected. Yes. / No
ii Domestic cats could die for lack of food. Yes / No.
1
2.c One company is trying to develop a virus that will make mice sterile (i.e., unable to
have babies). Such a virus could help control the number of mice.
Suppose the company is successful. Should the following questions be answered by
research before releasing the virus? Circle “Yes” or “No” in each case.
Should this question be answered before releasing the virus? Yes or No?
What is the best method for spreading the virus? Yes. / No
How soon will mice develop immunity to the virus? Yes. / No