Passage 1
Passage 2
PASSAGE 2: The Facts about Genetic Engineering
by Harriet Harrington
It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction when it comes to genetically engineered plants. Some scientists claim that this type of genetic engineering is no different from the engineering that has always been done by farmers to breed for the best crops. This is not entirely true. Some crops have been genetically modified as a result of traditional plant breeding. For example, two types of corn plants might be cross-pollinated on purpose to create a hybrid (combined) version. On the other hand, some plants have been genetically engineered (GE) as the result of high-tech genetic tinkering. This kind of engineering produces plants that would otherwise not occur in nature. For many reasons, GE plants are concerning.
GE plants are made to have qualities that don’t occur naturally. High-tech methods are used to incorporate genes directly into the plant rather than alter it through cross pollination. The result is a plant with pest control properties. These plants can be antibiotic resistant, and they can be designed to be resistant to herbicides. This genetic engineering creates a man-made plant. This calls into question the safety of these genetically engineered plants, especially with regard to people’s health.
What's more, the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture have done very little research on genetically engineered plants. It is hard to trust research completed by the high-tech companies connected to the plants. Those companies have billions of dollars at stake in the results of the information. Due to this and other reasons, many people do not believe GE foods are safe.
There are many things to consider about high-tech GE plants. There are issues with environmental damage. GE crops may spread to native crops. There are also economic consequences. Consider the farmers who don’t wish to grow genetically engineered crops. Also, and perhaps most importantly, there are health factors to think about. Studies increasingly show that medical issues may be associated with eating food produced from GE crops.
Corn. Soy. Cottonseed. Almost all of these crops are genetically engineered. In addition, most sugar is GE. Unless the sugar is labeled certified organic cane sugar, it is GE. Frighteningly enough, no labeling is required to differentiate GE produced foods from non-GE. This is a mistake. Because GE crops are so prevalent, it can be difficult to avoid them as consumers. However, it is not impossible.
1. According to Passage 2, what is the author’s main concern?
AGE crops may be unsafe for people’s health.
BGE crops have an economic impact on farmers.
CGE crops may cause environmental damage.
DGE crops are bred to have pest control properties.
A. GE crops may be unsafe for people’s health.
According to Passage 1, what is the concern regarding genetically engineered foods?
APlants with altered genes were first planted in 1996 in the first large-scale GE crop.
BIn Mexico, the teosinte grass produced grains of starch that eventually created the corn plant.
CFarmers can use GE crops that resist viruses that may cause disease.
DThere are possible risks to the environment and to people’s health.