生物英文文章翻譯

　　專業英語是生物專業的科研工作者在知識領域進行深入探索的一個強有力的工具。下面是小編帶來的，歡迎閱讀!

　　1

　　美國應叫停生物燃料生產

　　The worst drought for 50 years is inflicting huge damage on the US maize crop, with seriousconsequences for the overall international food supply.

　　美國玉米作物正受到50年來最嚴重旱情的巨大破壞，使國際糧食總體供應情況受到了重大影響。

　　The situation reminds us that even the most advanced agricultural systems are subject to thevagaries of the weather, leading to volatility in supplies and prices not just on domesticmarkets but also internationally. Climate change and extreme weather events will furthercomplicate the picture.

　　當前形勢提醒我們，即使是最發達的農業體系也無法擺脫天氣無常的影響，這不僅會導致國內市場供給和價格波動，還會波及國際市場。氣候變化和極端天氣現象更使情況雪上加霜。

　　US maize production had been expected to increase to record levels this year. That view willprove optimistic. Much of the reduced crop will be claimed by biofuel production in line with USfederal mandates, leaving even less for food and feed markets. The August US Department ofAgriculture estimates, announced today, will give a more precise idea for just how much themaize crop is reduced. Few people are expecting good news.

　　人們原本預料，今年美國玉米產量將打破歷史最高紀錄。事實證明這種觀點過於樂觀了。根據聯邦法令，歉收的玉米中，相當大一部分將被用於生產生物燃料，因而進入糧食和飼料市場的玉米就更少了。

　　Maize prices have already gone higher than their 2008 and 2011 peaks, increasing by 23 percent during July alone. Wheat prices have followed maize prices upwards. Repercussions arealready being felt in the US livestock sector.

　　近期玉米價格已經超過了2008年和2011年的峰值，單是7月份就上漲了23%。而小麥價格則追隨玉米價格上漲。美國畜牧業已經感受到了價格上漲的衝擊。

　　Unsurprisingly, the media has started talking about the possibility of a food crisis. Whether thathappens depends not only on how long the drought lasts and how much damage it does tocrops but on how far its impact spreads to other markets, whether there are further supplyshocks and how countries react to the price movements.

　　媒體已經開始談論出現糧食危機的可能性，這一點都不令人驚訝。是否會發生糧食危機不僅取決於旱情持續時間有多長、對農作物的傷害有多大，也取決於其影響向其他市場擴散的程度，以及是否會有後續供給衝擊、各國如何應對價格波動。

　　In 2007-08 governments tended to react in a disorganised and erratic manner, which oftenaccentuated global price rises, as was the case with the imposition of export restraints. Oftenthe measures were not even effective in meeting the objective of stabilising domestic prices,as they often led to panic buying and hoarding.

　　2007-08年，各國政府的反應無序混亂，這往往加劇了國際價格上漲，其效果如同實施出口限制措施一樣。但這些措施通常會引發搶購和囤積行為，達不到有效穩定國內價格的目標。

　　Given all this, governments should be cautious, especially considering that high prices are notnecessarily negative. Attractive producer prices will be needed in the coming months to enticeproducers to embark on a much needed increase of crop cultivation, especially in the southernhemisphere.

　　考慮到上述種種，政府應該謹慎行事，尤其是高價並不一定產生負面效果。未來幾個月，只有生產者價格足夠誘人，才能吸引人們擴大種植——這是目前亟需的——尤其是在南半球。

　　Some governments will be called to take a number of steps to alleviate the impact of thesituation on the poorest consumers, for example through the targeted distribution of food atsubsidised prices, increased reliance on non-commodities crops such as roots, tubers, andbeans, and assisting small producers to get better seeds and other basic inputs. Over thelonger term, strategies to increase local production and self-sufficiency should be implemented.

　　我們將呼籲一些國家的政府採取多項措施，緩解當前局勢對最窮消費者的衝擊，例如以補貼價格定向分配糧食，增加對根莖、塊莖和豆類等非大宗商品類作物的依賴，以及幫助小規模種植者取得更優質的種子和其他基本的投入品。從長遠來看，應當採取增加當地產量、提高自給自足水平的策略。

　　Fortunately rice supplies in 2012 are plentiful and rice prices stable, but they could also bedriven higher by increasing prices of other cereals. Rice market stocks were also notproblematic in 2007-08 but prices nevertheless increased dramatically. A lack oftransparency and unco-ordinated unilateral actions by importing and exporting countries andmedia coverage all contributed to creating panic.

　　幸運的是，2012年大米供應充足，價格穩定，但米價也可能因為其他穀類價格的上漲而走高。2007-08年，大米市場並不短缺，但價格卻出現大幅上漲。透明度不高、進口國與出口國未經協調的單邊行動，以及媒體的報道，都產生了催生恐慌的效果。

　　With world prices of cereals rising, the competition between the food, feed and fuel sectors forcrops such as maize, sugar and oilseeds is likely to intensify. One way to alleviate some ofthe tension would be to lower or temporarily suspend the mandates on biofuels. At themoment, the renewable energy production in the US is reported to have reached 15.2bn gallonsin 2012, for which it used the equivalent of some 121.9m tonnes or about 40 per cent of USmaize production. An immediate, temporary suspension of that mandate would give somerespite to the market and allow more of the crop to be channelled towards food and feed uses.

　　隨著全球穀物價格攀升，糧食、飼料和燃料行業對玉米、糖和油籽等作物的爭奪可能升級。暫時停止關於生物燃料的法令或者降低其執行力度，是緩解部分緊張的一個辦法。目前，2012年美國這一可再生能源的產量據報道已達到152億加侖，消耗的玉米約為1.219億噸，佔到美國玉米總產量的40%。立即暫停執行上述聯邦法令，將為市場提供一定的喘息空間，讓更多的玉米流向糧食和飼料用途。

　　The US drought leaves global markets highly vulnerable to any further supply side shocks.While the current situation is precarious and could deteriorate further if unfavourableweather conditions persist, it is not a crisis yet. Countries and the UN are better equipped thanin 2007-08 to face high food prices, with the introduction of its Agricultural Market InformationSystem, which and promote co-ordination of policy responses.

　　在經受了美國旱情的影響之後，全球市場已無力再承受供應方面任何的進一步衝擊。儘管當前形勢不確定，而且如果惡劣的天氣狀況持續的話，形勢可能還會惡化，但目前尚未出現危機。與2007-08年相比，目前各國與聯合國UN更有把握應對高糧價，這是因為聯合國啟動了能夠促進各國政策反應協調水平的農產品市場資訊系統Agricultural Market Information System。

　　However, risks are high and the wrong responses to the current situation could create it. It isvitally important that any unilateral policy reactions from countries, whether importers orexporters, do not further destabilise the situation.

　　然而，風險仍然很高，在應對當前局勢過程中，如果方法不當也可能釀成危機。至關重要的是，無論是出口國還是進口國，任何單方面的政策反應都應避免加劇局勢的不穩定。

　　The writer is the director-general of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN

　　本文作者為聯合國糧農組織Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN總幹事

　　2

　　生物技術專利 對人下藥

　　Business Biotech patents Taking it personally

　　商業 生物技術專利 對人下藥

　　A legal fight over a new generation of medicine

　　新一代藥品的法律糾紛

　　DRUG research is in dark times, as pipelines dry up and development budgets are cut.

　　但有一束光帶來了一線希望。

　　But one shaft of light pierces the gloom.

　　隨著新藥品種開發減少，藥品的研發資金縮減，藥品研究正處於黑暗時期。

　　"Personalised medicine" promises to craft drugs for individuals.

　　"個性化藥品"承諾為個人定製藥品。

　　Genetic tests will identify those who will benefit from specific medicines.

　　基因測試將識別出那些從特製藥品中獲益的人。

　　Treatment will be more effective; waste will drop.

　　從而加強治療效果;降低浪費水平。

　　Personalised medicine has sparked excitement among drugmakers, doctors, hospitals andpatients.

　　個性化藥品讓製藥商、醫生和病人均欣喜若狂。

　　It has also sparked a legal brawl.

　　這也引發了法律糾紛。

　　On December 7th America's Supreme Court heard arguments in Mayo v Prometheus.

　　2011年12月7日美國高等法院聽取了梅奧V普羅米修斯的辯論。

　　The suit, despite a name that suggests an ancient liver sandwich, may be crucial forbiotechnology firms.

　　這一訴訟雖然以暗示古代肝三明治的名義進行，但是對於生物公司來說至關重要。

　　America is the world's hub for drug research.

　　美國是全球藥品研究中心。

　　By definition, personalised medicine includes the study of genetic mutations and otherpersonal characteristics.

　　按定義，定製藥品包括對於基因突變的研究和其他個性化特徵。

　　However, American law bars patents of nature and abstract ideas.

　　但是美國的法律禁止給自然和抽象的概念頒發專利。

　　The question is which discoveries in personalised medicine may be patented.

　　問題在於個性化藥品的哪一種發現可能授予專利。

　　Prometheus is part of a series of suits over biotech patents.

　　普羅米修斯公司是陷入一系列生物技術專利權之爭的公司之一。

　　Courts have been active because Congress has not.

　　因國會無動於衷，法庭便積極地應對。

　　A recent patent reform provided little clarity.

　　最近的專利改革提供模稜兩可的解釋。

　　Congress merely ordered a study of genetic testing.

　　國會僅是指示對基因測試進行研究。

　　Judges have been bolder: in July a federal court ruled that genes could be patented.

　　法官們是更加的大膽：7月份聯邦法庭裁決基因可獲得專利。

　　On December 7th the suit's losers appealed to the Supreme Court.

　　12月7日該案件的敗訴方上訴至最高法院。

　　But Prometheus may have greater practical import, says Hans Sauer of the BiotechnologyIndustry Organisation BIO, a trade group.

　　生物科技產業組織BIO的漢斯.薩奧爾說，但普羅米修斯案可能實際起的作用更大。

　　Firms are studying genetic correlations that might predict a drug's efficacy or determine thecause of a disease.

　　研究遺傳相關的公司可能預計到藥品的功效或決定疾病的緣由。

　　Prometheus may determine whether methods using such correlations may be patented.

　　普羅米修斯案可能裁定使用這種相關方法是否能授予專利。

　　The fight has attracted the heavyweights of health care.

　　這場官司吸引了衛生保健業重量級人物的眼球。

　　On one side is Prometheus Laboratories, a Californian company that has patented a way tooptimise certain drug treatments for individuals.

　　一方是因優化某種個性化藥物治療的方法獲得專利的加州普羅米修斯公司，

　　On the other is the Mayo Clinic, a health and research centre.

　　另一方是健康研究中心，梅奧診所。

　　Prometheus's supporters include BIO and several tech firms.

　　普羅米修斯公司的支持者包括BIO和幾個高科技公司。

　　Roche and Abbott, two big drugmakers, gave warning against invalidating patents on diagnostictests.

　　兩大醫藥巨頭羅氏製藥和雅培公司對診斷試驗專利無效提出了警告。

　　Mayo's allies include the American Medical Association.

　　梅奧的聯盟包括美國醫學協會。

　　The patents in question do not concern genetic tests, though the suit's outcome will affectthem.

　　對於專利權的爭議與基因測試無關，儘管這一案件的審理結果會影響到基因測試。

　　They concern tests for the effectiveness of thiopurines, drugs that have long been used totreat gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease.

　　他們關心的是巰基嘌呤是否適當的測試。巰基嘌呤是一直用來治療胃腸道功能失調如克羅恩病的藥物。

　　Their effect depends on how they are metabolised.

　　該藥物的是否有效取決於其是如何新陳代謝的。

　　Neither thiopurines nor tests for metabolites substances produced by metabolism were newwhen Prometheus's patents were filed in 1998.

　　在普羅米修斯公司申請專利時不管是巰基嘌呤還是代謝物由新陳代謝引起的物質的測試都不是什麼新鮮事物。

　　But the patents cover the process for determining whether a given dose producesconcentrations of metabolites within a recommended range.

　　但是這一專利包括決定是否給定的藥物劑量在推薦範圍內能產生大量的代謝物過程。

　　The dose of thiopurines could be adjusted accordingly.

　　巰基嘌呤的劑量可以隨之調整過來。

　　Prometheus sells a test based on its patents to hospitals and clinics.

　　普羅米修斯公司因測試方法申請了專利權而將其賣給醫院和診所。

　　In 2004 Mayo developed a competing test, with different recommended levels of metabolites.

　　2004年梅奧研製出了有競爭力的測試，對代謝物使用不同的推薦指數。

　　Prometheus sued.

　　普羅米修斯公司以此狀告梅奧診所。

　　Mayo's lawyers say Prometheus has patented a mere observation of the body's naturalworkings.

　　梅奧的律師說普羅米修斯公司申請的僅僅是觀察人體自然執行的專利。

　　Let the claim stand, Mayo argues, and firms will win broad patents over basic biologicalrelationships, stifling innovation.

　　梅奧辯道，若讓普羅米修斯公司勝訴，公司將超越基本的生物基礎而獲得廣泛意義的專利權從而阻礙創新。

　　Prometheus and its allies warn of an alternative apocalypse.

　　普羅米修斯公司和其聯盟則警告這是另一場大災難。

　　A judgment in Mayo's favour, they contend, will undermine existing patents and shrivelinvestment in personalised medicine.

　　偏向於梅奧的支援方爭辯道這將破壞現有的專利及導致對個性化藥品的投資減少。

　　The Supreme Court may not make such a broad judgment.

　　最高法院可能不會做出廣泛的評判。

　　It may instead hand down a narrower ruling that leaves many questions unanswered.

　　相反，最高法院有可能將採用較小範圍的裁定使得許多問題懸而未決。

　　A natural phenomenon may not be patented, but which applications of that phenomenonmight be?

　　自由現象有可能不會授予專利，但是自然現象的哪種應用屬於專利範圍呢?

　　When studying genetic correlations, which so-called discoveries are truly novel?

　　在研究遺傳相關的命題時，哪一種所謂的發現是真的新鮮出爐?

　　Eventually personalised medicine may transform patients' care and firms' business models.

　　最終個性化藥品可能轉變病人的護理和企業的經營模式。

　　In the near future, the greatest beneficiaries may be patent lawyers.

　　在不久的將來，最大的的受益者將是打專利權官司的律師。