1
The subject of GMO foods and their effect on the
environment and on people’s health causes heated
debates between supporters and critics. The arguments
over Golden Rice have been as fierce as any, but who is
right?
2
In 2015, the Golden Rice Project was awarded a Patents
for Humanity Award by the White House Office of
Science and Technology Policy. Two of the most
important members of the teamwere Professor Ingo
Potrykus of the Institute of Plant Sciences in Switzerland
and Professor Peter Beyer, professor of cell biology at
Freiburg University in Germany. They developed the
product while a third important member of the team, Dr
Adrian Dubock, set up the Humanitarian Board tomake
it possible to produce and distribute the crop.
3
So, what is the Golden Rice Project and why is it so
important? Golden Rice was finally developed in 1999
after many years of research. It is a type of rice that has
been genetically engineered to produce beta-carotene.
When digested, this is converted into Vitamin A by the
body.
4
A lack of Vitamin A is a major problem in the developing
world, affecting an enormous number of people. UNICEF
estimates that 124 million children worldwide suffer
from serious Vitamin A deficiency (VAD). This deficiency
adversely affects the immune system, whichmakes
sufferers more susceptible to diseases such as measles. It
is also a major cause of blindness.
5
So, why are some people so vehemently opposed
to the development of a crop that could prevent so
much suffering? Critics say that the money spent
on developing the rice could have been usedmore
effectively. It could have paid for food supplements as
a short-termmeasure and for long-termprojects such
as ecological community gardens that would enable
people to grow their own crops and benefit from a more
varied diet, thus combating VAD naturally.
6
In addition, there is a worry that Golden Rice, like all
GMO crops, will contaminate other crops, thus making
local farmers ever more dependent on the big food
companies which produce the seeds. This couldmake
the farmers poorer and lead to an even worse diet for
their children in the future. They flatly refuse to believe
that profit isn’t the mainmotivation for those involved.
7
However, supporters of the crop reject these arguments.
They point out that previous efforts to distribute Vitamin
A tablets only reached a tiny proportion of the people
who needed them. They also say that, because of
generous funding, the companies are able to provide
the seeds free of charge to 99% of the farmers who will
benefit from this project. Even former critics of GMO
crops such as environmental campaigner Mark Lynas,
have changed their mind about the crops. He has
criticised opponents for ignoring scientific facts about
genetically modified crops’ safety and benefits and
stated that he “was completely wrong to oppose GMOs”.
8
The funding has come from a wide range of
organisations such as HarvestPlus, which is funded by
the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation in conjunction
with the World Bank. Funds have also come fromUSAID,
the Swiss Development and Collaboration Agency and
others. The Golden Rice Project is not just a commercial
enterprise tomake money. It is a humanitarian effort to
improve the lives of millions.
120
12.3
PRO OR ANTI?
READING AND VOCABULARY
WORDS FROM THE TEXT
1
Work with a partner. Are these statements true or false?
Genetically Modified (GM) Quiz
1
GM food is food from crops whose genes have been
scientifically changed.
2
93 percent of the world’s cotton is GM.
3
Sri Lanka has a ban on GM foods.
4
GM foods have been proved to be safe to eat.
5
GM foods reduce the need to use pesticides and
herbicides.
6
The sweetener aspartame, used in many diet drinks,
is not a GM product.
7
Apples are currently non-GM.
8
Up to 75 percent of food items on US supermarket
shelves contain GM ingredients.
9
Popcorn, baby formula, canned soups and frozen
pizza may all contain GM ingredients.
2
Read the text quickly and decide which paragraph:
a
discusses the most important people involved in the
project
b
explains what Golden Rice is
c
talks about how the project has been financed
d
introduces the topic
e
presents criticisms of GMO crops generally.
f
offers alternative ways of solving the VAD problem
g
explains the problems caused by a lack of vitamin A
h
offers counter-arguments by supporters of Golden
Rice
3
Read the text again and say who the following
people are.
1
Adrian Dubock
2
Bill and Melinda Gates
3
Mark Lynas
4
Peter Beyer
5
Ingo Potrykus
4
Identifying arguments
Read paragraphs 5–7 again
and find two arguments against golden rice. Then find
two points that challenge those arguments.
5
Look at the text again and find words and phrases
which match the definitions below.
1
a word that means ‘large amount or large number’
(paragraph 4)
2
a phrase that means ‘the system in your body that
protects it against illness’ (paragraph 4)
3
a phrase that means ‘fight against very strongly’
(paragraph 5)
4
a phrase that means ‘say you will not do something
that someone has asked you to do in a firm and
sometimes impolite way’ (paragraph 6)
5
a phrase that means ‘working with someone or
something else’ (paragraph 8)
6
What is your opinion of genetically modified food?
