The European Union had approved a number of genetically
modified crops until late 1998. But grow public
62. ______ concern over their supposed environmental and health
risks led several EU country to demand a moratorium (暂时禁止)
63. ______ on imports
of any new GM produce (转基因农产品). For late 1999 there were enough such
countries to block any 64.
______ new approvals of GM produce. Last year, America filed a
complaint at the WTO about the moratorium, without arguing that
65. ______ it was an illegal
trade barrier because there is no scientific base for it. As more studies
have been completed on the
66. ______ effects of GM crops, the greens’ case for them has
weakened. 67. ______ Much evidence
has emerged of health risks from eating them.
68. ______ And, overall, the studies have shown that the
environmental effects on modified crops are not always as serious as the
69. ______ greens claim.
Nevertheless, environmentalists continue to find fault of such studies and
argue that they are inconclusive. 70.
______ While Americans seem happy enough to consume food made
from GM crops, opinion polls continue to show that European consumers dislike
the idea. Europeans seem be taking 71.
______ the attitude which , since there remains the slightest possibility
of adverse consequences and since it is clear how they, as consumers, benefit
from GM crops, they would rather not run the risk.