genetically modified
adjective/dʒəˌnetɪkli ˈmɒdɪfaɪd/
/dʒəˌnetɪkli ˈmɑːdɪfaɪd/
(abbreviation GM)
- (of a plant, etc.) having had its genetic structure changed artificially, so that it will, for example, produce more fruit or not be affected by disease
- genetically modified foods (= made from plants that have been changed in this way)
- genetically modified organisms
CultureSome companies are working on changing the structure of plants that are grown as food using new technology called biotechnology or genetic engineering. An example is changing the genes of a type of grain so that it will not be destroyed when farmers use pesticides or herbicides on the crop. There has been a lot of discussion in the media about GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Some scientists, food companies and governments argue that it can help to feed the world's growing population, especially in poor countries. Others argue that genetically modified food may be harmful and that GM crops may affect other crops grown in the same area. Public opposition has led some supermarkets in Britain not to sell food that contains genetically modified ingredients and EU governments have passed laws about labelling so that consumers can know whether the food they buy contains GM ingredients or not.Collocations FarmingFarmingGrowing food and raising animalsTopics Biologyb2, Farmingb2- plant trees/seeds/crops/vines/barley
- grow/produce corn/wheat/rice/fruit
- plough/(North American English) plow land/a field
- sow/harvest seeds/crops/fields
- spread manure/fertilizer on something
- cultivate/irrigate/water/contaminate crops/plants/fields/land
- damage/destroy/lose your crop
- ripen/pick fruit/berries/grapes
- press/dry/ferment grapes
- grind/thresh grain/corn/wheat
- raise/rear/keep chickens/poultry/cattle/pigs
- raise/breed/feed/graze livestock/cattle/sheep
- kill/slaughter livestock
- preserve/smoke/cure/salt meat
- run a fish farm/an organic dairy farm
- engage in/be involved in intensive (pig/fish) farming
- use/apply (chemical/organic) fertilizer/insecticides/pesticides
- begin/do/conduct field trials of GM (= genetically modified) crops
- grow/develop GM crops/seeds/plants/foods
- fund/invest in genetic engineering/research
- improve/increase crop yields
- face/suffer from/alleviate food shortages
- label food that contains GMOs (= genetically modified organisms)
- eliminate/reduce farm subsidies
- oppose/be against factory farming/GM food
- promote/encourage/support organic/sustainable farming
Oxford Collocations DictionaryGenetically modified is used with these nouns:- corn
- crop
- food
- …
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genetically modified