Many of us have heard about the poor economic conditions that farmers in certain countries face daily. But are GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, the solution? GMOs are plants like cotton or corn that have been genetically modified in labs to grow better. Ideally, they would allow farmers to grow more stable, healthy crops.

Currently, there are huge rates of poverty for farmers in certain countries. Better crops could help end starvation and widespread poverty. I believe that critical action is needed to solve these problems. Yet while I understand the plight of many farmers in poverty, I am uncertain whether GMOs are the answer. I just don’t know what the long-term effects of GMOs are. For instance, take health risks. According to one article, the lifespan of ladybugs that ate aphids which fed on GMOs were reduced by half. Half! Those are some pretty disturbing statistics. Also, GMOs tend to contaminate natural crops. It’s easy for the pollen of GMO crops to spread to areas up to 21 kilometers away. Given these concerns over GMOs, I feel their costs outweigh their potential benefits. 

1.  What are GMOs?

2.  What do GMOs allow farmers to do?

3.  Are GMOs the answer to solve problems?

4.  What happened to the life span of lady bugs?

5.  What do GMOs do to natural crops.

Listening Comprehension Questions #39

1.  What must the student taken to qualify?

2.  Who does the student need to talk to?

3.  What does the professor recommend that the student do?

4.  What does the professor think that the student will be able to do with the professor's recommendation?

5.  Is the student appreciative?