Question

    You Are What You Eat

Genetic (基因的) engineering is the scientific change of the genetic material in a living thing. It allows scientists to identify specific genes, to remove them from a living thing’s chromosomes(染色体), improve them, analyze them, and possibly clone them, and to then reinsert the changed gene into the original living thing, or a completely different living things. Unlike traditional breeding (繁殖), where a desired quality would be bred within the same kind of living things, genetic engineering can insert desired ones into living things of different kinds. Wow ... did you catch that?

Genetic engineering creates many positive contributions to agriculture. For example, by genetically engineered (GE) foods, anti-cancer agents, minerals and vitamins can be increased. Improved taste, shelf life, and better transport are all possible. Also, GE plants can increase pest and bacterial resistance（抵抗力）, therefore, making the food safe for the consumers.

But some argue that the possible negative effects outweigh the positives, and critics are starting to voice their worries. Unlike Europe, in the United States labeling（贴标签）is not required on genetically engineered foods or on foods that contain genetically engineered products. Most Americans do not realize that they are, in fact, eating GE foods.

The public is also concerned about the unknown health risks. With limited understanding of genes, scientists cannot predict possible effects. Because most genes introduced into GE plants come from sources not introduced into the human body, it is impossible to know if they will cause reactions. Moreover, due to the lack of labeling, if allergies（过敏）develop, it will be extremely difficult to find the origin of them.

There is also a major moral question in many minds. For many, the conflict is not if it is safe or not, but it disturbs them because it is unnatural and unnecessary. We are currently producing one and a half times the amount of food needed to feed the world, yet one in seven people are starving. So GE food is unnecessary, and fails to address the root of hunger. Many believe that the only people who will benefit are the corporations that produce it. 

Scientists cannot foresee the possible effects of GE foods, yet we eat them every day without even knowing it. We already have enough food, so why create more that could be potentially harmful to us, to the Earth and to all wildlife? I think that the benefits are amazing, but until we know for sure how these foods will affect us, they are not worth the risk.

1.According to the passage, traditional breeding is different from genetic engineering because________.

A.traditional breeding changes the genes in the same kind of living things

B.traditional breeding takes place within the same kind of living things

C.traditional breeding is more scientific

D.traditional breeding changes the genes in different kinds of living things

2.According to Paragraph 5, GE food is unnecessary because ________.

A.customers will benefit from GE food

B.we’re now producing more food than before

C.it won’t help solve the problem of hunger in the world

D.there are obvious dangers in producing GE food

3.What is the writer’s writing purpose?

A.To introduce genetic engineering’s positive contributions to agriculture.

B.To welcome genetic engineering and GE food.

C.To discuss the differences between GE food and other food.

D.To tell people to keep GE food off before their influence on us is clear.

Answer

1.B

2.C

3.D

【解析】

本文主要介绍了基因工程技术。基因工程可以将所需的生物转化为不同物种的生物，它为农业做出了巨大的贡献。而转基因食品是不必要的，因为它不会帮助解决世界上的饥饿问题，并且还可能存在一些隐患。

1.

细节理解题。根据文中Unlike traditional breeding (繁殖), where a desired quality would be bred within the same kind of living things.与传统育种不同，在传统繁殖中，期望的品质将在同一种生物中培育。可知选项B叙述的和原文一致，故选B。

2.

细节理解题。根据文中的句子We are currently producing one and a half times the amount of food needed to feed the world, yet one in seven people are starving.可知GE food还不能解决世界饥饿问题。故选C。

3.

推理判断题。根据文章的最后一段中的句子I think that the benefits are amazing, but until we know for sure how these foods will affect us, they are not worth the risk.作者说，GE food好处是惊人的，但是在我们确定这些食物会对我们产生什么影响之前，它们不值得冒这个险。可知作者是在告诉人们在转基因食品对我们的影响变得明显之前不要食用。故选D。