Download Unit3B-words File

Unit 3B: Genetic Engineering
• What are “biotech foods”? They are also
called, GM foods, or genetically modified
/engineered/altered food products.
• Have you heard of this kind of food on the
market? If yes, can you give an example?
Words & Expressions
(p.44)
• Scientists are busy altering the genes: to
change, to modify
• …to create new varieties that are resistant to
insects and to herbicides: immune, unaffected,
able to defend itself against…;
a chemical that destroys plants esp. weeds
Words & Expressions
• …the manipulation of DNA: control or
operation
• A revolution in food production: a drastic or
great change
• A battle between those who believe in its
promise…: a war or fight; future success
• Nutritional values: nutrition ~ nutritionary
• Such potential benefits notwithstanding…:
despite, in spite of, regardless of
Words & Expressions
• Humans have been altering generic traits: characteristics or quality
• …by keeping seeds from the best crops…: agricultural produce
• …by breeding varieties to make them taste sweeter: to produce
(offspring)
• …we’ve transformed the wild tomato: to change greatly or to
convert
• Teosinte with an “ear” barely an inch long: the part of a cereal plant
such as wheat, that contains seeds or grains穀穗
• …can transfer just a few genes at a time between species that are not
related at all: a segment of DNA, passed from parents to their
offspring
• …moth genes have been inserted into apple trees: an insect
• Conventional breeding: ordinary, traditional
• …to insert a gene or genes from an organism…: an individual form
of life, creature
• …deal with age-old farming problems: weeds, insects, and disease:
very old, ancient; an undesirable plant growing wild
Listening: What is genetically modified food?
1.
Examples of strange GM organisms:
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2.
Pigs that __________in the dark (glow)
Chickens that grow without __________ (feathers)
Goats that produce spider silk __________ (proteins)
Traditional process of altering genes:
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3.
By picking organisms with desirable ________ and mating them together over and over
again. (traits)
Scientists call this process ___________ selection. (artificial)
A classic example: from teosinte to corn
Other examples: wheat, rice, _________, banana (almond)
The difference in modern genetically modified food is the _________ and
precision which we can make changes. (speed)
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4.
If the new organism comes from the same specie, scientists call it cisgenic. Cis means
___________. If it comes from different species, scientists call the new organism transgenic.
Trans means ___________. (the same) (cross)
Example: The fluorescent pigs glow green because they contain a gene from a luminescent
__________ fish. (jelly)
Recent transgenic GM food:
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5.
Corns that make bacteria toxin poisonous to pests
___________ that make antifreeze protein (tomatoes)
Cows that produce ___________ milk (human)
Conclusion:
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All of the GM foods currently on the market have been thoroughly ____________. (tested)
Personally, I’m waiting for a ____________ that I cut it in the dark. (tomato)
Words & Expressions
• None of the current biotech products have been implicated in
allergic reactions…: be involved in; be related to; be responsible for
• High levels of fumonisins toxin: poison
• …grow in the wounds of the damaged corn: an injury, or a cut
• A protein that causes reactions in humans who are allergic to nuts:
nutritional substance found in meat and eggs; having an allergy
• …other harmful proteins created through GM may slip by
undiscovered: pass by or slip away
• …in the function of the host DNA: the organism into which the
foreign DNA is inserted
• On the other hand, advocates of GE crops…: (n.) supporter, or
defender (v.) to support, or to speak in favor of
• …by offering an environmentally friendly alternative to pesticide:
an option or choice; chemicals used to kill harmful insects
Words & Expressions
• …people are malnourished: not being provided with adequate
nourishment
• …GE can help address the urgent problem of food shortage and
hunger: deal with
• …vitamin A deficiency: not having enough of something (adj.)
deficient: lacking
• Skeptics claim that golden rice is little more than a public relations
exercise…: someone who doubts; a promotion or advertisement
• …which they say has exaggerated its benefits: overstated, or
enlarged
• Golden rice alone won’t diminish vitamin A deficiency: reduce
• Their potential is enormous: huge, or great
• If science proceeds with caution, testing new products thoroughly
and using sound judgment: to go forward, continue, or go on;
carefully, completely, fully; (adj.) wise, proper, or well-grounded