GM food
учебно-методический материал по английскому языку (11 класс) на тему

1. Read the text and answer the questions.

1) What are the advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified (GM) food?

2) Is the author for or against GM food?

       Nowadays people are getting more and more concerned about the food they eat as it is closely connected with the way they look and feel. That is why there are so many arguments about the safety of genetically modified food.

       Genetically modified crops have been developed by changing the plant’s genetic structure in order to help the plant resist against different diseases or produce larger crops. Personally, I try not to buy GM food as there is no scientific conclusion so far to prove its safety for human consumption. We don’t know what unforeseen consequences there might be. I prefer not to risk my health because scientists are not sure if GM food is absolutely harmless or not.

       However, a lot of people are not worried about the negative influence of GM food on their health. Besides, producers of this food say that it has a number of advantages in terms of price, durability and nutritional value. They also say there is no risk to human health, although possible side effects connected with the use of GM products have not been studied.

       Can we trust producers of GM food? I don’t think so. Unfortunately, in Russia the law does not prohibit the use of GM products. I believe that it’s up to you to decide whether to buy GM food or not. Anyway, producers of this food must mark their products if they contain GM ingredients.

2. Find in the text English equivalents of the following words and phrases.

1) генетически модифицированная пища

2) зерновые

3) сопротивляться

4) болезни

5) научное подтверждение

6) потребление

7) непредсказуемые последствия

8) безвредный

9) отрицательное влияние

10) долговечность

11) питательная ценность

12) запрещать

13) только вам решать

14) содержать