Yet there are limits to what a society can spend in this pursuit. Ask a physician, I know the most costly and dramatic measures may be ineffective and painful. I also know that people in Japan and Sweden, countries that spend far less on medical care, have achieved longer, healthier lives than we have. As a nation, we may be overfunding the quest for unlikely cures while underfunding research on humbler therapies that could improve people's lives.

　　56. What is implied in the first sentence?

　　[A] Americans are better prepared for death than other people.

　　[B] Americans enjoy a higher life quality than ever before.

　　[C] Americans are over-confident of their medical technology.

　　[D] Americans take a vain pride in their long life expectancy.

　　57. The author uses the example of cancer patients to show that

　　[A] medical resources are often wasted.

　　[B] doctors are helpless against fatal diseases.

　　[C] some treatments are too aggressive.

　　[D] medical costs are becoming unaffordable.

　　58. The author's attitude toward Richard Lamm's remark is one of

　　[A] strong disapproval.

　　[B] reserved consent.

　　[C] slight contempt.

　　D. enthusiastic support.