Question # 4
Recent advance in science and technology have made it possible for geneticists to find out abnormalities in the unborn foetus and take remedial action to rectify some defects which would otherwise prove to be fatal to the child Though genetic engineering is still at its infancy scientists can now predict with greater accuracy a genetic disorder it is not yet an exact science since they are not in a position to predict when exactly a genetic disorder will set in While they have not yet been able to change the genetic order of the germs they are optimistic and are holding out that in the near future they might be successful in achieving this feat They have however acquired the ability in manipulating tissue cells. However genetic mis-information can sometimes be damaging for it may adversely affect people psychologically Genetic information can therefore be abused and its application in deciding the sex of the foetus and its subsequent abortion is now hotly debated on ethical lines but on this issue geneticists cannot be squarely blamed though this charge has often been leveled at them it is mainly a societal problem At present genetic engineering is a costly process of detecting disorder but scientists hope to reduce the costs when technology becomes more advanced.This is why much progress in this area has been possible in scientifically advanced and rich countries like the U.S.A, U.K and Japan.It remains to be seen if in the future this science will lead to the development of a race of supermen or will be able to obliterate disease from this world.a. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the phrase holding out as used in the passage?
