AGRICULTURE REPORT - Calls for a 'Gene Revolution'

AGRICULTURE REPORT - Calls for a 'Gene¹ Revolution'
By Mario Ritter

Broadcast: Tuesday, June 01, 2004

This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.

There are sixty-eight million hectares of genetically² engineered crops. This is about five percent of all cropland in the world, and expanding. But debate over how best to use this biological technology continues.

Experts compare the rise of biotechnology to the period of change in the nineteen-sixties and seventies. The Green Revolution produced the modern systems and chemicals of agriculture. Productivity³ increased in many countries.

Today, the United Nations and others are calling for a Gene Revolution. Experts say the world must find new ways to fight hunger and feed its growing population.

But, unlike the Green Revolution, biotechnology has been supported mainly by private investment⁴. Businesses are unwilling⁵ to share trade secrets with countries that do not recognize their property rights. Companies also want to earn a profit, so they develop crops for large markets.

Ninety-nine percent of genetically engineered crops are either soybeans, corn, cotton or canola. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization says little research has been done on food crops like wheat, rice, potatoes and cassava. An F.A.O. report last month expressed concern that biotechnology is not helping⁶ developing nations.

Six countries grew ninety-nine percent of all biotech crops last year: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, South Africa and the United States. Almost all these crops have special genes⁷ to resist damage by insects or by chemicals used to kill unwanted plants. The F.A.O. says there is little research on biotech plants that could resist crop failure in poor countries, or provide extra vitamins.

Director-General Jacques Diouf says scientists generally agree that foods made from genetically engineered crops are safe to eat. But he adds that little is known about their long-term effects. He also says there is less scientific agreement on the environmental effects, so each product must be carefully observed.

Public opinion is a big issue in the debate. Opponents⁸ say there may be unknown health dangers. Some poor nations have refused any food aid that contains genetically engineered products.

Yet the industry has had some successes recently. Last month the European Union ended a six-year suspension⁹ of approval¹⁰ for new biotech foods. And Brazil has been moving to let farmers plant genetically engineered soybeans.

This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by Mario Ritter. This is Steve Ember.

1 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

2 genetically   

adv.遗传上

参考例句：

• All the bees in the colony are genetically related. 同一群体的蜜蜂都有亲缘关系。
• Genetically modified foods have already arrived on American dinner tables. 经基因改造加工过的食物已端上了美国人的餐桌。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 基因与食物

3 productivity   

n.生产力，生产率，多产

参考例句：

• Farmers are introducing in novations which increase the productivity.农民们正引进提高生产力的新方法。
• The workers try to put up productivity.工人设法提高生产率。

4 investment   

n.投资，投资额；(时间、精力等的)投入

参考例句：

• It took two years before I recouped my investment.我用了两年时间才收回投资。
• The success of the project pivots on investment from abroad.这个工程的成功主要依靠外来投资。

5 unwilling   

adj.不情愿的

参考例句：

• The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
• His tightfisted employer was unwilling to give him a raise.他那吝啬的雇主不肯给他加薪。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

8 opponents   

n.对手，敌手( opponent的名词复数 )；反对者

参考例句：

• Somehow he always manages to outwit his opponents. 他反正总能设法智胜对手。
• to use strong-arm tactics against your political opponents 用强制手段对付政敌

9 suspension   

n.悬挂，悬浮液，暂缓，未决，中止

参考例句：

• The local authorities decided to build a suspension bridge over the river.地方当局决定在这条河上建一座吊桥。
• A four-day suspension was imposed on her.她被勒令停职4天。

10 approval   

n.赞成，同意；批准，认可

参考例句：

• The audience has expressed its approval.观众已经认可。
• The teacher signed his approval.老师做了手势表示同意。