AGRICULTURE REPORT - West African Leaders Discuss Geneticall

AGRICULTURE REPORT - West African Leaders Discuss Genetically¹ Engineered Crops
By Mario Ritter

Broadcast: Tuesday, June 29, 2004

This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.

For three days last week, West African leaders and government ministers met in Burkina Faso to discuss agricultural technology. Members of the Economic Community of West African States came to Ouagadougou, the capital, to discuss several issues. But the main subject was genetically engineered crops.

Some leaders said they support the idea in general. They want proof² that such crops are safe for people and the environment.

The president of Mali, Amadou Toumani, told the conference that progress requires new technology. But he said the leaders must be careful, because they also have a duty to their people to keep food safe.

The government of Burkina Faso and the American State Department organized the Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology. Burkina Faso is one of the poorest nations in West Africa.

Last year, it also became the first West African nation to begin testing genetically engineered crops. The American company Monsanto planted cotton designed to protect against insects. Cotton is Burkina Faso's main export crop.

The president of Niger, Mamadou Tandja, expressed interest in the possibilities of genetically engineered crops. But he said he wants Africans to have the finances³ and training needed to use such products.

President Tandja said he hopes that Niger can restart⁴ its cotton industry with genetically engineered cotton. He said his country may cooperate⁵ with Burkina Faso.

The president of Ghana, John Kufuor, said Africa is losing its fertile⁶ land because of traditional farming methods and overproduction. He too expressed support for biotechnology.

The president of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaore, said testing such crops is like testing new medicines. Mister⁷ Compaore said safety is always a concern. But he says it is important for Africa to use new technology that meets the needs of its people.

Some non-governmental organizations, however, say genetically engineered crops are not the answer to food shortages⁸ in Africa. They say transportation and water projects would be more useful.

They also say that such crops could force African farmers to depend on big companies for seed. Some groups are even calling for a five-year ban on genetically engineered crops in Africa.

This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by Mario Ritter. This is Steve Ember.

1 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

2 proof   

adj.防...的，耐...的，能防护；n.校样，证据，证明；vt.检验，给...做防护措施

参考例句：

• He is living proof of the wonders of modern medicine.他是当代医学奇迹的活证明。
• The proof was fished up from some old papers.校样在旧文件中被找到了。

3 finances   

n.(pl.)财源，资产

参考例句：

• I need a professional to sort out my finances. 我需要专业人士为我管理财务。
• The company's finances are looking a bIt'shaky. 这个公司的财政情况看来有点不稳定。

4 restart   

vt.重新开始，重新启动；vi.重新开始，重新启动

参考例句：

• Restart the computer in Safe mode or VGA mode.重新启动计算机在安全模式或VGA模式。
• After the restart the program continues to run automatically.重启后，程序仍然自动运行。

5 cooperate   

vi.合作，协作，相配合

参考例句：

• We hope we can cooperate even more closely in the future.希望我们今后能更加密切地合作。
• I hope you can cooperate on this matter.我希望你在这件事上能给予合作。

6 fertile   

adj.肥沃的，富饶的；多产的，丰产的

参考例句：

• The district is fertile of wheat.该地区盛产小麦。
• Plants grow well in fertile soil.植物在肥沃的土壤里长势良好。

7 mister   

n.(略作Mr.全称很少用于书面)先生

参考例句：

• Mister Smith is my good friend.史密斯先生是我的好朋友。
• He styled himself " Mister Clean ".他自称是“清廉先生”。

8 shortages   

n.不足( shortage的名词复数 )；缺少；缺少量；不足额

参考例句：

• Food shortages often occur in time of war. 在战争期间常常发生粮食短缺的情形。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• At the same time, worldwide food and fuel shortages eased. 同时，世界性粮食和石油短缺的现象终止了。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件