首页
外语
计算机
考研
公务员
职业资格
财经
工程
司法
医学
专升本
自考
实用职业技能
登录
外语
Today, an estimated two-thirds of all products in supermarkets contain genetically-engineered ingredients, including tortilla ch
Today, an estimated two-thirds of all products in supermarkets contain genetically-engineered ingredients, including tortilla ch
admin
2010-04-30
26
问题
Today, an estimated two-thirds of all products in supermarkets contain genetically-engineered ingredients, including tortilla chips, drink mixes, taco shells, veggie burgers, muffin mix, and baby formulas. However, only one-third of Americans are aware that their food contain genetically-engineered ingredients, despite the findings of surveys that 85 to 90% of consumers want clear labeling of all genetically-engineered foods. Because labeling is not yet required by government regulations, nor practiced by biotech companies, there is no way for consumers to know what it is that they are eating. The public has not been adequately educated of the presence of genetically-modified ingredients in their diets and the possible risks that these foods may entail, and hence, they have been disempowered in their fights to make informed choices.
Furthermore, the inadequate efforts to educate the public on genetic engineering have been sketchy at best, as some genetic scientists have been presenting the complex process of genetic modification to the public as a simple operation. They have been erroneously giving the impression that "... one gene controls one character trait, and transferring the gene results in the transfer of the corresponding trait to the genetically-modified organism, which can then pass it on indefinitely to future generations". However, the process of genetic modification is random and can cause damage in normal genes when imperfections in the genetic code of one organism are unknowingly passed to the receiving organism. Such publications promoting "public understanding" also do not include relevant findings that show that genes function in an "... extremely complex, interconnected network, so that ultimately, the expression of each gene depends on that of every other". The introduced gene may act differently when working within its new environment. For example, there are "position effects", which can lead to unpredictable changes in the pattern of gene expression and genetic function, such as production of potentially toxic products.
The credibility of these geneticists is also questionable because almost all established molecular geneticists have "... some industrial ties, thus limiting what they can research on, particularly with regard to safety". The connections between big business and genetically- modified foods is an issue in and of itself, as it seems that biotech companies have put economic gains before safety concerns. Because the current state of biotechnology is one of misinformation and lack of information, there are moral/ethical questions raised about the responsibility of these companies, as well as the government, to regulate these industries and protect the public.
There is no way of knowing the overall, long-term effects of genetically-engineered foods on human health. This unpredictability appears to be causing the most controversy over genetically-modified foods, as there is insufficient evidence and need for further research. Moreover, the current claims for genetic engineering are misleading, and there appears to be much ignorance and/or corruption at the top with the biotech corporations, as well as the government, which seem to be more interested in short-term economic gains than in properly informing and protecting the people.
What does the author concern most in the passage?
选项
A、Education on genetically-modified food to the public.
B、Biotechnology of genetically-modified food.
C、Safety of genetically-modified food.
D、Research of genetically-modified food.
答案
C
解析
转载请注明原文地址:https://kaotiyun.com/show/kfOK777K
0
大学英语六级
相关试题推荐
A、BecausemanyarchitectsstudiedwithWright.B、BecauseWrightstartedthepracticeof"land-scraping".C、BecauseWrightusede
A、It’stoolateforthemantofindatutor.B、Shehasn’tpreparedforthemidtermexameither.C、Themanshouldn’thirethesam
A、Becausethefibersofhismusclesareverythick.B、Becausehehasmoremuscles.C、Becausehismusclesaremadeofmorestring
ScientistshavelongbelievedonewaytostoptheEarth’satmospherefromwarmingisbyplantingmoretrees.Theideaisthatmo
A、Shewillbehavingameeting.B、Shewillbeinterviewingsomebody.C、Shewillbetalkingtohissecretary.D、Shewillbehavin
Itisgenerallynotadvisable__________________(一个女人在怀孕第28周时乘飞机旅行).
A、Adultchildrenshouldvisittheirparentsfromtimetotime.B、Parentsshouldsupporttheiradultchildrenwhentheyareintr
A、Lessthanoneyear.B、Fouryears.C、Fiveyears.D、Morethanfiveyears.DForhowlongisalimitedlicensevalid?
A、September13th.B、September12th.C、October13th.D、October12th.BForwhichdaydoesthemanmakeareservationfinally?四个选项
A、Theyshouldwaitpatiently.B、Theyshouldaskthatmantoleave.C、Theyshouldservethatmanimmediately.D、Thatmanisolde
随机试题
以下减小焊接残余应力的措施中不正确的是()。
人的本质属性是()。
《苦恼》中车夫姚纳的真正苦恼在于生活艰辛。()
影响牙合力的因素不包括
某市一国有企业在改制时,拟转让其使用的一宗国有划拨土地。按该市规定,该宗土地应由市政府收购后进行公开出让。市国土资源局根据社会经济发展计划、产业政策、土地利用总体规划、土地使用年度计划、城市规划和土地市场状况,将该宗地纳入了该年度土地出让计划,用途为工业用
施工定额是以()作为研究对象。
“两耳不闻窗外事,一心只读圣贤书”体现了注意的()
下列行为属于公共政策诉求的是:
也许令许多经常不刷牙的人感到意外的是,这种不良习惯已使他们成为易患口腔癌的高危人群。为了帮助这部分人早期发现口腔癌,市卫生部门发行了一个小册子、教人们如何使用一些简单的家用照明工具,如台灯、手电等,进行每周一次的口腔自检。以下哪项如果为真,最能对
下列关于MIS的设备、工具和环境选择的描述中,正确的是
最新回复
(
0
)