新西兰英语 596 GM Trees destroyed

 　　A group of people, who are against genetically² modified plants, destroyed 375 pine trees in Rotorua during Easter.

　　The trees were planted by a government forestry³ research organization called Scion⁴. Scientists at Scion are trying to develop pine trees which do not need chemical sprays to kill insects. Their research is also to develop faster growing trees, stronger trees and trees which will grow well if the climate becomes warmer.

　　Before they are allowed to use GM – genetic¹ modification⁵ – scientists have to get permission from the Environmental Protection Authority, EPA. Any GM plants have to be grown away from other plants so that GM pollen⁶ is not spread to non-GM plants.

　　In 1999 and 2002, a group called ‘Wild Greens’ destroyed GM potatoes which were part of scientific research near Christchurch. Because Scion was worried that the same thing could happen to their trees, they had two fences including one electric fence, and video cameras. However, the group which destroyed the trees, dug under the fences.

　　Scion said the cost of the trees was $400,000. They will continue the experiments with better security.

　　Note: GM is also called GE –genetically engineered (adjective) or genetic engineering (noun)

　　Questions

　　People have very strong opinions about GM plants, especially GM food. What are the benefits? What are the concerns?

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 forestry   

n.森林学；林业

参考例句：

• At present, the Chinese forestry is being at a significant transforming period. 当前, 我国的林业正处于一个重大的转折时期。
• Anhua is one of the key forestry counties in Hunan province. 安化县是湖南省重点林区县之一。

4 scion   

n.嫩芽，子孙

参考例句：

• A place is cut in the root stock to accept the scion.砧木上切开一个小口,来接受接穗。
• Nabokov was the scion of an aristocratic family.纳博科夫是一个贵族家庭的阔少。

5 modification   

n.修改，改进，缓和，减轻

参考例句：

• The law,in its present form,is unjust;it needs modification.现行的法律是不公正的，它需要修改。
• The design requires considerable modification.这个设计需要作大的修改。

6 pollen   

n.[植]花粉

参考例句：

• Hummingbirds have discovered that nectar and pollen are very nutritious.蜂鸟发现花蜜和花粉是很有营养的。
• He developed an allergy to pollen.他对花粉过敏。