Are GM crops acceptable.doc

此文档收集于网络，如有侵权，请联系网站删除Are GM crops acceptable? One of Chinas most respected scientists, Yuan Longping , recently added some fuel to the never-ending genetically modified(GM) food debate. Yuan, an experienced agronomist who is popularly known as the “the father of Hybrid Rice” told reporters that the public should treat GM foods with caution, but not totally reject them. He said that while some GM crops are disease resistant, their safety as a food source hasnt been scientifically proven. But at the same time they shouldnt be ruled out. They come from genetically modified organisms (plants) that have had their DNA modified by genetic engineering. Recently, the public have been made more aware of the safety concerns around GM foods. Some GM crops contain proteins that can kill or resist insects, making them easier to grow and more productive, but the long-term health effect on humans hasnt been completely studied. What is your opinion on all this? Should the government allow GM foods to be put on dining table without further fuss? Yes: 1 Scientist developed them because theyre more productive, nutritious and easier to grow than natural foods. Research has gone on in this field for decades and no known harmful effects have appeared. Imaginary concerns shouldnt keep them from being used. 2 GM foods are particularly important in todays world because of population growth and climate change. GM foods can help solve the problem that threatens the human race. 3 GM foods have been used widely in the world. More than half of the worlds soybean output is from genetically modified crops and China imports millions of tons of GM soybeans every year. Weve seen no negative effects. No: 1 The harmful effects of GM foods could take years, or even decades, to appear. If they re consumed over a long time, the effects could be disastrous. For the safety of mankind we need to be careful about consuming them.2 The crops which use protein to kill insects are one example. If the protein is toxic, it might have a similar effect on human beings, or farm animals that we eat. Before a plants possible toxic effects on human beings are fully researched, we shouldnt eat it. 3 Overall, Chinas food supply is stable and sufficient. And there are other ways of finding new food sources of expanding food production. We dont ne