AGRICULTURE REPORT - Genetically Engineered Food Aid

AGRICULTURE REPORT – September 17, 2002: Genetically² Engineered Food Aid

By George Grow

This is the VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT.

A food crisis³ in southern Africa has added to the debate about the use of genetic¹ engineering in agriculture. The
United Nations says almost thirteen-million people in southern Africa need emergency food aid. U-N officials
have urged other countries to provide food and money. The U-N said only one-fourth of the money needed to
provide food assistance has been offered.

America’s top agriculture official reacted to the U-N report with a statement.
Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman noted⁴ that the United States is the largest
provider of food aid to southern Africa. But Mizz Veneman said opponents of
genetically engineered food have limited the ability of the United States to send
food.

She accused them of providing "misguided statements about the American food
system." She said the goal is to create fear. Mizz Veneman said the food the United
States is offering is safe and the same food that Americans eat.

The American official did not name any organization in her statement. But her spokesman⁵ gave Greenpeace as an
example. Representatives denied the charges.

Earlier this month, President Robert Mugabe announced that Zimbabwe will accept genetically engineered maize⁶
from the U-N World Food Program. This was a change in policy. But in Zambia, President Levy⁷ Mwanawasa has
called genetically engineered food "poison" and "dangerous."

The Zambian government argues that such food could mix with native crops. It says a genetically engineered
crop could threaten Zambian exports. European countries refuse genetically engineered food.

More than two-million people in Zambia need emergency food aid. The president says Zambia can produce
enough food to last until December. In Malawi, President Bakili Muluzi said any genetically engineered food aid
must be processed, to protect native crops.

Jacques Diouf heads the U-N Food and Agriculture Organization. Mister Diouf says he recognizes there are
concerns about possible risks to the environment and to agriculture. But he urged southern African countries to
consider scientific information. He says that, based on current knowledge, the food being offered "is not likely to
present a human health risk."

This VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT was written by George Grow.

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1 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

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 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 spokesman   

n.发言人，代言人

参考例句：

• The government spokesman gave a quick briefing to the reporters.政府发言人向记者们作了情况简介。
• They drew lots to decide who should be their spokesman.他们抽签决定谁是他们的发言人。

6 maize   

n.玉米

参考例句：

• There's a field planted with maize behind the house.房子后面有一块玉米地。
• We can grow sorghum or maize on this plot.这块地可以种高粱或玉米。

7 levy   

n.征收税或其他款项，征收额

参考例句：

• They levy a tax on him.他们向他征税。
• A direct food levy was imposed by the local government.地方政府征收了食品税。