经济学人224:定制宠物 只需按一下打印键

 　　Science and technology

　　科学技术

　　Bespoke¹ pets

　　定制宠物

　　Just press print

　　只需按一下打印键

　　It will soon be possible to design and build household animals to order

　　按需定制宠物很快将成为现实

　　I could have sworn I ordered this in blue

　　我确定我当初定的是一只蓝色的

　　ONE of the most interesting technological² trends of the past few years has been the rise of additive³ manufacturing.

　　直接数字化制造算得上是过去几年当中兴起的最新奇的新兴科技之一。

　　This technique, which uses three-dimensional printing to make objects ranging from violins to pilotless aircraft,

　　这一技术是使用三维打印技术制造从小提琴到无人机等各种产品。

　　allows the construction of individual objects at the whim⁴ of the designer.

　　通过这种技术，设计者可以根据自己天马行空的想象来制造单件产品。

　　Now, a small Californian company, the Gene⁵ Duplication Corporation, based in San Melito, proposes to push the technology to its limits.

　　如今，一家总部位于加州圣美利托镇的小公司—基因复制公司打算将这一技术运用到极致。

　　On Sunday it will announce plans to use 3D printing to make bespoke pets.

　　本周日，该公司将宣布他们计划采用三维打印技术为顾客定制宠物。

　　GeneDupe, as the firm is known colloquially⁶, has previously⁷ focused on the genetic⁸ engineering of animals.

　　该公司通常被人们称为GeneDupe，之前一直致力于动物基因工程的研究。

　　However Paolo Fril, the company's boss, is keen to expand into manufacturing them from scratch.

　　不过，公司的老板保罗-弗里热切地希望能够扩展业务范围：从零开始将动物制造出来。

　　PrintaPet does just that.

　　就是要实现这个目标。

　　The idea of printing organs such as kidneys for transplant has been around for several years.

　　打印用于移植的器官的想法在几年前久就已经出现。

　　It works by growing separate cultures of individual cell types, and then spraying them out,

　　通过将不同种类的单个细胞分开培养，

　　layer by layer, in combination with a binding⁹ agent called a hydrogel, to build up the correct shape.

　　然后将它们一层一层喷洒出来，加上一种称作水凝胶的粘合剂，就可以构建出想要的形状。

　　Printing an organ this way is fairly easy.

　　通过这种方式打印一个器官相当简单。

　　A kidney, for instance, has only eight cell types.

　　比如，打印一个肾脏只需要用到八种不同类型的细胞。

　　An entire mammalian body, though, has 220 cell types.

　　不过，一个完整的哺乳动物机体中有220种不同类型的细胞。

　　Laying these down in the correct order is a much more complex problem.

　　按照正确的顺序将这些细胞组合起则要复杂得多。

　　To solve it, GeneDupe's researchers used nanotomography, a precise form of CT scanning that has a resolution of 500 nanometres,

　　为了解决这个问题，GeneDupe的研究人员运用纳米断层摄影技术对不同动物中每一个细胞的位置与特性进行分析。

　　to analyse the position and nature of every single cell in a variety of animals, particularly breeds of dog.

　　纳米断层摄影技术是一种更为精密的计算机断层扫描技术，其分辨率可达500纳米。

　　This knowledge not only permits existing breeds to be re-created,

　　获得动物机体中细胞的位置与特性信息以后，不仅可以将现有品种再制造出来，

　　but allows entirely¹⁰ new combinations of form, colour and behaviour to be invented, at the customer's command.

　　还可以根据顾客的需求，将动物的形状、颜色及习性进行组合制造出一些全新的品种。

　　GeneDupe's Universal Pet Printer is loaded with each of the 220 cell types, and is programmed with a three-dimensional map of the creature it is to create.

　　公司GeneDupe的万能宠物打印机内已经加载了构成哺乳动物机体的所有220种细胞，并且根据将要打印的动物体中细胞的三维信息图谱编写了打印程序。

　　That is devised by the firm's scientists, based on what the nanotomographic analysis has told them about the results of arranging cells in different ways in an animal's body.

　　根据纳米断层扫描分析的结果，该公司的科学家可以得知以不同的方式对动物体内的细胞进行组合的结果。这也是打印程序的编写依据。

　　The cells themselves are stored in suspension, in glass reservoirs, and each reservoir is connected to a computer-controlled spray gun.

　　用于打印的细胞储存在装满悬浮液的玻璃容器中，每个容器都与一根电脑控制的喷枪相连。

　　The hydrogels are stored separately.

　　水凝剂分开储存。

　　One, known as osteogel, is particularly important, as this solidifies¹¹ to provide the animal's initial skeleton.

　　一种称为osteogel的水凝剂相当关键，它固化以后形成了动物最初的骨架。

　　Once the new creature is up and running,the various hydrogels are gradually replaced by natural secretions¹³.

　　一旦这种新制造出来的动物的机体能够正常工作以后，各种水凝剂将逐渐被自然分泌物所取代。

　　In the case of osteogel, that secretion¹² is bone.

　　取代osteogel的就是骨骼。

　　The biggest difficulty Dr Fril has encountered is with nerve cells.

　　弗里博士遇到的最棘手的问题是如何处理神经细胞。

　　Unlike most other types of cell, which are small, the protuberances from a nerve cell, known as axons and dendrites, may stretch from the animal's spinal¹⁴ cord to the tips of its toes.

　　和其他大多数种类体积较小的细胞不同，神经细胞上的突起可能从脊髓一直延伸到脚趾尖。

　　To deal with this problem, the pet printer leaves a hole in each layer of cells at every point through which a nerve cell is supposed to pass.

　　为了解决这个问题，宠物打印机在每个细胞层都留有一个小孔，以便神经细胞的突起能从中穿过。

　　The holes are then filled with nerve-growth factor before the next layer is printed,

　　之后，在打印下一个细胞层之前往这些小孔中注满神经生长因子。

　　so that when the main body of the nerve cell is sprayed into place it rapidly grows axonal and dendritic protuberances to the right destinations.

　　这样神经细胞的主体喷洒到位之后便迅速长出树突与轴突并延伸到特定的末端。

　　Knowing how to print nerve cells, is, in fact, the key to the whole thing.

　　事实上，打印神经细胞是整个工作的关键。

　　Size apart, a healthy heart, kidney or liver is pretty much the same in a retriever or a Rottweiler.

　　除了尺寸不同之外，要给拾物犬与罗威纳犬制造一颗健康的心脏、一个肾脏或者肝脏的步骤都差不多。

　　Coat colour, an important consideration for many owners, is easily dealt with by picking the right pattern of melanocyte cells in the skin.

　　许多宠物的主人都比较在意动物皮毛的颜色，要打印出不同的颜色只需要在皮肤中选取合适的黑色素细胞排列形式就能轻松实现。

　　But an animal's temperament¹⁵ is a very different matter.

　　但要构造动物的脾性却比这要复杂得多。

　　Controlling temperament means laying down the right mixture of nerve cells in the brain, since different types of cell have different effects on personality.

　　要控制动物的脾性需要正确构造动物大脑中的神经细胞组合，因为不同的神经细胞对动物脾性有不同的影响。

　　Having worked out how to do this, GeneDupe is able to offer pets that have had their behavioural characteristics fine-tuned.

　　GeneDupe公司已经攻克了这个难题，现在他们可以对定制宠物的行为习性进行细微的调整。

　　If you want a docile¹⁶ Rottweiler, or even an aggressive retriever, you can have one made to your exact specifications¹⁷.

　　如果你想要一只性情温顺的罗威纳犬，或者是一只凶猛的拾物犬，你都可以给出详细的要求然后定做一个。

　　Dr Fril, though, thinks that the most popular modification¹⁸ will be his tweaking of canine¹⁹ scent-marking behaviour so that local lampposts are no longer the preferred sites of relief and communication.

　　不过，弗里博士认为他们对犬类气味标记行为的修改可能最受顾客青睐，因为经过修改之后的宠物狗不会再把路灯当成方便及与同类沟通的场所。

　　Instead, GeneDupe's pooches are pre-wired to recognise the company's proprietary²⁰ DoggieLoos, which have a distinctive²¹ odour that is perceptible to canids, but not humans.

　　GeneDupe对其制造的狗狗都预先进行了处理，它们能够识别该公司的狗狗厕所。这种厕所能够散发出一种人类无法察觉但是犬类却能够识别的特殊气味。

　　There are still a few technical difficulties to overcome, of course, but Dr Fril plans to start taking orders soon.

　　当然，离最终实现还有一些技术难题需要攻克，但是弗里博士计划不久就开始接受订单。

　　And he is already looking forward to the firm's next product, custom-printed boyfriends and girlfriends for those who cannot find the right partner by conventional means，

　　而他现在已经迫不及待地想开发公司的下一代产品—定制恋人。这款产品主要是针对那些通过传统方式没能找到合适伴侣的人，

　　a surprisingly large proportion of the population.

　　这个群体占人口总数的比例远远超出了人们的想象。

　　If all goes well, these will be available by St Valentine's day.

　　如果一切顺利，这款产品在情人节之前就会上市。

　　If not, customers will probably have to wait until April 1st of next year.

　　不然的话，消费者可能就得等到明年的愚人节了。

　　1.household n.家庭，户

　　We should by some household necessities.

　　我们得买些家庭必需品。

　　2.additive a.附加的

　　But the additive's effects on humans are dire²².

　　但此添加剂对人体的影响是可怕的。

　　3.construction n.建筑物；建造；解释

　　What do you do exactly? Real estate or construction?

　　你究竟做什么的?房地产还是建筑?

　　4.announce v.宣布；述说；声称

　　But the authorities are reluctant to announce bad news.

　　但政府不愿意公布坏消息。

　　5.scratch v.擦，刮；擦痛，擦伤

　　Not only fondle but also scratch her a bit.

　　不光这么抚摸，还要抓。

1 bespoke   

adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求

参考例句：

• His style of dressing bespoke great self-confidence. 他的衣着风格显得十分自信。
• The haberdasher presented a cap, saying,"Here is the cap your worship bespoke." 帽匠拿出一顶帽子来说：“这就是老爷您定做的那顶。” 来自辞典例句

2 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

3 additive   

adj.附加的；n.添加剂

参考例句：

• Colour is often an additive in foods.颜料经常是各种食物中的添加物。
• Strict safety tests are carried out on food additives.对食品添加剂进行了严格的安全检测。

4 whim   

n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想

参考例句：

• I bought the encyclopedia on a whim.我凭一时的兴致买了这本百科全书。
• He had a sudden whim to go sailing today.今天他突然想要去航海。

5 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。

6 colloquially   

adv.用白话，用通俗语

参考例句：

• For some little time the Jurymen hang about the Sol's Ams colloquially. 那些陪审员在太阳徽酒店里呆着，东拉西扯地谈了一会儿。 来自辞典例句
• This building is colloquially referred to as the barn. 这个建筑，用通俗的话来说就是一个谷仓。 来自互联网

7 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

8 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。

9 binding   

有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的

参考例句：

• The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

10 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

11 solidifies   

（使）成为固体，（使）变硬，（使）变得坚固( solidify的第三人称单数 )； 使团结一致； 充实，巩固； 具体化

参考例句：

• Jelly solidifies as it gets cold. 肉冻冷却就凝固。
• It is stirred with 10%sodium carbonate solution(50ml)and then with water (50ml), after which It'solidifies. 与10％碳酸钠溶液（50毫升）混合搅拌，然后再用50毫升水混合搅拌，从而析出固体。

12 secretion   

n.分泌

参考例句：

• Is there much secretion from your eyes?你眼里的分泌物多吗？
• In addition,excessive secretion of oil,water scarcity are also major factors.除此之外，油脂分泌过盛、缺水也都是主要因素。

13 secretions   

n.分泌（物）( secretion的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Lysozyme is an enzyme found in egg white, tears, and other secretions. 溶菌酶是存在于卵白、泪和其他分泌物中的一种酶。 来自辞典例句
• Chest percussion and vibration are used with postural drainage to help dislodge secretions. 在做体位引流时要敲击和振动胸部帮助分泌物松动排出。 来自辞典例句

14 spinal   

adj.针的，尖刺的，尖刺状突起的；adj.脊骨的，脊髓的

参考例句：

• After three days in Japan,the spinal column becomes extraordinarily flexible.在日本三天，就已经使脊椎骨变得富有弹性了。
• Your spinal column is made up of 24 movable vertebrae.你的脊柱由24个活动的脊椎骨构成。

15 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

16 docile   

adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的

参考例句：

• Circus monkeys are trained to be very docile and obedient.马戏团的猴子训练得服服贴贴的。
• He is a docile and well-behaved child.他是个温顺且彬彬有礼的孩子。

17 specifications   

n.规格；载明；详述；（产品等的）说明书；说明书( specification的名词复数 )；详细的计划书；载明；详述

参考例句：

• Our work must answer the specifications laid down. 我们的工作应符合所定的规范。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This sketch does not conform with the specifications. 图文不符。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

18 modification   

n.修改，改进，缓和，减轻

参考例句：

• The law,in its present form,is unjust;it needs modification.现行的法律是不公正的，它需要修改。
• The design requires considerable modification.这个设计需要作大的修改。

19 canine   

adj.犬的，犬科的

参考例句：

• The fox is a canine animal.狐狸是犬科动物。
• Herbivorous animals have very small canine teeth,or none.食草动物的犬牙很小或者没有。

20 proprietary   

n.所有权，所有的；独占的；业主

参考例句：

• We had to take action to protect the proprietary technology.我们必须采取措施保护专利技术。
• Proprietary right is the foundation of jus rerem.所有权是物权法之根基。

21 distinctive   

adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的

参考例句：

• She has a very distinctive way of walking.她走路的样子与别人很不相同。
• This bird has several distinctive features.这个鸟具有几种突出的特征。

22 dire   

adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的

参考例句：

• There were dire warnings about the dangers of watching too much TV.曾经有人就看电视太多的危害性提出严重警告。
• We were indeed in dire straits.But we pulled through.那时我们的困难真是大极了，但是我们渡过了困难。