It is predicted1 that there will be 5 scientific breakthroughs2 in the 21st century．
We＇ll know where we came from． Why does the universe exist3? To put it another way, why is there something instead of nothing? Since the 1920s, scientists have known the universe is expanding4, which means it must have started at a definite5 time in the past. They even have developed theories that give a detailed picture of the evolution6 of the universe from the time it was a fraction7 of a second old to the present. We will have a better understanding of how matter behaves at the unfathomably8 high temperatures and pressures of the early universe.
We＇ll crack9 the genetic10 code and conquer11 cancer． As scientists learn more about genetic code and the way cells work at the molecular12 level, many serious diseases—cancer, for one—will become less threatening13. Using manufactured14 “therapeutic15” viruses16, doctors will be able to replace cancer—causing damaged17 DNA with healthy genes18, probably administered19 by a pill or injection20.
We＇ll live longer ( 120 years? )． 21st century strides21 in genetic medicine may let us control and even reverse22 the process. But before we push scientists to do more, consider: Do we really want to live in a world where no one grows old and few children are born because the planet can hold only so many people? Where would new ideas come from? What would we do with all that extra time?
We＇ll “manage” Earth． In the next millennium23, we'll stop talking about the weather but will do something about it. We'll gradually24 learn how to predict the effects of human activity on the Earth, its climate25 and its ecosystems26.
We＇ll have a brain “road map”． Early in the next century, we will use advanced forms of magnetic27 resonance28 imaging to produce detailed maps of the neurons29 in operation. We'll be able to say with certainty which ones are working when you read a word, when you say a word, why you think about a word, and so on.
预计21世纪将有5大科技突破。
了解人类起源 为什么宇宙会存在？换句话说，为什么世界上会有东西存在，而不是空无一物？从20世纪二十年代起，科学家就知道宇宙在膨胀，这说明宇宙肯定是在过去的某个特定时候诞生的。科学家们甚至提出种种理论，详细地描绘了宇宙从最初的一瞬间直到现在的演变情形。到那时，我们将能更清楚地了解到在宇宙早期高不可测的高温和高压下物质是如何运动的。
破解遗传密码，攻克癌症 由于科学家对遗传密码和细胞在分子一级的活动状况有了更多的了解，许多重病，比如癌症，将不再可怕。利用人造的“有疗效的”病毒，医生们将能把被破坏的致癌DNA换成健康的基因，很可能通过一片药或一次注射就能办到。
延长寿命（到120岁？） 21世纪遗传医学的巨大进步将有可能使人类控制乃至逆转生命进程。不过在我们强求科学家取得突破之前，想想：因为地球只能养活这么多人，我们就真的愿意生活在一个人不会衰老、很少生孩子的世界上吗？新的思想从哪儿来呢？那么多剩余时间我们做什么呢？
“管理”地球 在下一个千年，我们将不再谈论天气，而是对天气采取一些行动。我们将逐步学会怎样预计人类活动对地球、地球气候及其生态系统的影响。
绘制大脑“路线图” 下个世纪初，我们将使用先进的磁共振绘图技术制作详尽的中子活动图。我们将能确切无疑地说出看一个词的时候是哪些中子在起作用，说一个词的时候是哪些中子在起作用，而想一个词的时候又是那些中子在起作用，诸如此类。
1. predict v． 预言
2． breakthrough n． 突破
3． exist v． 存在，生存
4． expanding adj． 展开的，扩大的
5． definite adj． 明确的， 一定的
6． evolution n． 演变， 进化
7． fraction n． 分数，小部分
8． unfathomably adv． 深不可测，深奥
9． crack v． 破解 （使）破裂
10． genetic adj． 遗传的，起源的
11． conquer v． 克服，征服
12． molecular adj． 分子的
13． threatening adj． 胁迫的，危险的
14． manufacture vt． 生产，制造
15． therapeutic adj． 治疗的
16． virus n． 病毒
17． damaged adj． 被损坏的
18． gene n． 因子，基因
19． administer v． 给予，执行
20． injection n． 注射，注射剂
21． stride [straid] n． 步幅
22． reverse v． 颠倒，倒转
23． millennium n． 一千年
24． gradually adv． 逐渐
25． climate n． 气候
26． ecosystems n． 生态系统
27． magnetic adj． 磁的
28． resonance n． 共振，共鸣
29． neuron n． 神经细胞，神经元