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  3. 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

admin2010-04-30  65
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
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