Theme: Agricultural Science, Biotechnology, Environmental Science, Food Security, Nutrition Science
Questions
Reading Passage:
The use of genetically modified (GM) crops has become widespread in agriculture, leading to debates about their benefits and potential risks. Proponents of GM crops argue that these crops offer significant advantages, such as increased yield, resistance to pests, and reduced need for chemical pesticides. For example, GM crops like Bt corn produce a natural insecticide that reduces crop losses due to pests, leading to higher productivity for farmers. Additionally, GM crops can be engineered to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as drought or poor soil quality, which can be particularly beneficial in regions with challenging agricultural conditions. Supporters also claim that GM crops can contribute to global food security by increasing food production and making crops more resilient to climate change.
Another advantage often cited by proponents is that GM crops can be modified to improve nutritional content, addressing malnutrition in developing countries. For instance, “Golden Rice” has been engineered to contain higher levels of Vitamin A, which can help combat Vitamin A deficiency, a serious health issue in many parts of the world. Moreover, because GM crops are more resistant to pests and diseases, they reduce the need for chemical pesticides, which can have harmful environmental and health effects. This reduction in pesticide use is not only better for the environment but also reduces costs for farmers.
Overall, supporters believe that the adoption of GM crops is essential for meeting the growing food demands of the global population, especially as climate change and population growth put increasing pressure on agricultural systems.
Listening Script:
Scenario: A professor is discussing the potential downsides of genetically modified (GM) crops in response to the claims made by proponents.
Prompt:
Summarize the points made in the lecture, explaining how they cast doubt on the points made in the reading passage. Be sure to use information from both the reading and the lecture in your response.
Rating Tool
Transcripts
Professor:
While it’s true that genetically modified crops offer some advantages, it’s important to consider the potential risks and downsides that come with their use. One major concern is the environmental impact of GM crops. Although they are designed to be pest-resistant, this resistance can lead to the development of “super pests”—insects that evolve to become resistant to the natural insecticides produced by GM crops. When these super pests emerge, they can be even more difficult to control than the original pests, leading to greater reliance on chemical pesticides, not less.
Another issue is the potential for GM crops to cross-pollinate with non-GM plants. This can lead to the unintentional spread of genetically modified traits to wild or non-GM crops, which could have unforeseen ecological consequences. For example, if a GM crop engineered for herbicide resistance cross-pollinates with a wild relative, it could result in the spread of herbicide-resistant weeds, making them harder to control.
There’s also the concern about the impact of GM crops on biodiversity. By promoting the widespread use of a few genetically modified varieties, we risk reducing the genetic diversity of our crops. This lack of diversity could make our food supply more vulnerable to diseases or environmental changes. In contrast, traditional farming practices that involve a variety of crops help maintain biodiversity, which is crucial for the resilience of agricultural systems.
Finally, there are socio-economic concerns. Many small-scale farmers are worried about becoming dependent on large biotech companies for seeds. GM seeds are often patented, meaning farmers cannot save seeds from one year to the next and must purchase new seeds each season. This could increase costs for farmers, particularly in developing countries, and potentially lead to economic disadvantages for those who cannot afford to keep up with the technology.
In conclusion, while genetically modified crops have the potential to address some agricultural challenges, it is crucial to carefully weigh these benefits against the possible risks and unintended consequences they may bring.
Sample Response:
The reading passage presents several advantages of genetically modified (GM) crops, highlighting their potential to increase agricultural yield, reduce the need for chemical pesticides, and address global food security. However, the professor in the listening passage challenges these points by raising concerns about the potential risks and negative consequences associated with GM crops.
First, the reading passage claims that GM crops, such as Bt corn, can reduce crop losses by producing natural insecticides, thus decreasing the need for chemical pesticides. However, the professor argues that this benefit is not guaranteed in the long term. He explains that the widespread use of GM crops can lead to the evolution of “super pests”—insects that become resistant to the insecticides produced by GM plants. This resistance could eventually increase the reliance on chemical pesticides, contradicting the claim that GM crops reduce pesticide use.
Second, the reading passage suggests that GM crops are environmentally beneficial because they can be engineered to withstand harsh conditions, such as drought or poor soil quality. However, the professor points out that GM crops pose a significant environmental risk due to the possibility of cross-pollination with non-GM plants. This cross-pollination could lead to the unintentional spread of genetically modified traits to wild or non-GM crops, potentially resulting in the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds. Such weeds would be more difficult to control, undermining the environmental benefits that GM crops are supposed to provide.
Third, the reading passage asserts that GM crops can help address malnutrition in developing countries by improving the nutritional content of food, citing the example of “Golden Rice,” which is enriched with Vitamin A. In contrast, the professor raises concerns about the impact of GM crops on biodiversity. He argues that the widespread adoption of a few genetically modified crop varieties could reduce the genetic diversity of agricultural systems. This loss of diversity would make crops more vulnerable to diseases and environmental changes, ultimately threatening food security rather than enhancing it.
Finally, the reading passage emphasizes that GM crops can contribute to global food security by increasing food production and making crops more resilient to climate change. However, the professor highlights socio-economic concerns, particularly the dependence of small-scale farmers on large biotech companies for seeds. GM seeds are often patented, meaning that farmers must purchase new seeds each season rather than saving seeds from previous harvests. This could increase costs for farmers, especially in developing countries, potentially creating economic disadvantages for those who cannot afford the ongoing expenses associated with GM technology.
In conclusion, while the reading passage presents GM crops as a solution to various agricultural challenges, the professor in the listening passage casts doubt on these claims by emphasizing the potential environmental, biological, and socio-economic risks. These concerns suggest that the benefits of GM crops may be outweighed by their unintended consequences.
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