The Hindu Editorial (Plugging the leak) – Oct 21, 2021

Since June, the export of about 500 tonnes of rice from India has triggered an uproar in several European countries on the grounds that it was genetically modified (GM) rice. For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Plugging the leak) – Oct 21, 2021.

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The Hindu Editorial (Plugging the leak) – Oct 21, 2021:

plug the leak/gap/hole (phrase) – to fix up (a recurring problem).
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) (noun) – Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. The technology is often called “modern biotechnology” or “gene technology”, sometimes also “recombinant DNA technology” or “genetic engineering”. It allows selected individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another, also between nonrelated species. Foods produced from or using GM organisms are often referred to as GM foods.
genetically modified (GM) rice (noun) – rice strains (natural or cultured variety) that have been genetically modified.
assuage (verb) – relieve, alleviate, soothe, mitigate, tone down; satisfy, fulfil, gratify, appease.
produce (noun) – all agricultural products.
compliant with (adjective) – in accordance with, in compliance with, in agreement with, in line with.
trigger (verb) – cause, prompt, bring about, generate, give rise to.
uproar (noun) – complaint, objection, protest.
ground (noun) – reason, cause, basis, factor.
Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) (noun) – Created in 1979, RASFF enables information to be shared efficiently between its members (EU Member State national food safety authorities, Commission & others) and provides a round-the-clock service to ensure that urgent notifications are sent, received and responded to collectively and efficiently. Thanks to RASFF, many food safety risks had been averted before they could have been harmful to European consumers.
flour (noun) – a powder obtained by grinding grain (such as rice, wheat & etc.)
unauthorized (adjective) – unofficial, uncertified, unapproved.
point of origin (noun) – country of origin.
contamination (noun) – the presence of a impurity.
recall (verb) – cancel, take back, override, repeal, revoke (an action or decision).
Mars, Inc & M&M (noun) – M&M’s represent the biggest chocolate brand at Mars, Inc. which also owns Milky Way, Snickers, and Twix. Mars is the second-biggest U.S. chocolate manufacturer, just behind Hersey. (Mars is recalling a batch of its M&M’s Crispy products due to the presence of a genetically modified organism (GMO)).
tag (verb) – label, classify.
organic (adjective) – natural, pesticide-free, chemical-free, non-chemical.
cultivation (noun) – the act of growing something, especially crops.
trial (noun) – test, pilot study, experiment.
suspicion (noun) – misgiving, doubt/qualm, distrust, scepticism.
deny (verb) – reject, abandon, discard.
possibility (noun) – chance, practicability.
allege (verb) – contend, argue, claim.
cut (verb) – reduce, decrease, lessen.
commission (verb) – engage, employ, appoint, authorize, order (someone to do something).
crop (noun) – a plant that is grown in large quantities.
find one’s way (phrase) – manage to get to/arrive at a destination place (but with some difficulty).
clear (verb) – authorize, give permission, permit, allow, give approval to.
Bt-cotton (noun) – genetically modified pest resistant plant cotton variety. Bt cotton was developed using the common soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.). (B.t. is a naturally occurring bacteria that is commonly found in soil and food. B.t. has been used to control insects).
prevalent (adjective) – widespread, common, general, ordinary.
herbicide (noun) – a chemical that is used to destroy plants, particularly weeds.
tolerant (adjective) – (of a plant/crop) able to endure something (herbicide chemical in this context).
herbicide-tolerant (adjective) – relating to a plant/crop designed to tolerate specific broad-spectrum herbicides, which kill the surrounding weeds, but leave the cultivated plant/crop intact.
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) (noun) – the apex regulator of GM crops in India; India’s apex biotech regulatory committee, The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) that functions as a statutory body under the Environment Protection Act 1986 of the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), has been changed to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee through a Gazette Notification issued on July 22, 2010). GEAC is responsible for granting permits to conduct experimental and large-scale open field trials and also grant approval for commercial release of biotech crops.
regulator (noun) – an association that supervises a particular business activity.
mandate (verb) – instruct, direct, order, require, make something mandatory.
transgene (noun) – a gene or a segment of DNA that is introduced into the genome of an organism.
transgenic (adjective) – genetically modified.
non-transgenic (adjective) – non-genetically modified.
segregated (adjective) – isolated, separated.
rush (verb) – act rapidly/hurriedly.
fractious (adjective) – argumentative, quarrelsome, contentious, controversial, difficult (to control), disagreeable.
passion (noun) – obsession, preoccupation, craze, mania.
rule over something (phrase) – to have control over something.
reason (noun) – rationality, logic, logical thought, scientific thinking; good sense, good judgement, common sense.
casualty (noun) – victim, loser, loss.
compliance (noun) – conformity, observance, observation, accordance, adherence.