The European Union had approved a number of genetically

　　modified crops until late 1998. But growing public concern

　　over its supposed environmental and health risks led several 1.

　　EU countries to demand a moratorium (暂时禁止) on imports

　　of any new GM produce. By late 1999 there were enough such

　　country to block any new approvals of GM produce. 2.

　　Last year, America filed a complaint at the WTO about the

　　moratorium, arguing that it was an illegal trade barrier

　　because there is no scientific base for it. 3.

　　As more studies have been completed on the effects

　　of GM crops, the greens’ case for them has weakened. 4.

　　Much evidence has emerged of health risks from eating 5.

　　them. And, overall, the studies have shown that the

　　environmental effects on modified crops are not always 6.

　　as serious as the greens claim. Nevertheless, environmentalists

　　continue to find fault of such studies and argue that 7.

　　they are inconclusive.

　　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 the attitude 8.

　　which , since there remains the slightest possibility of adverse 9.

　　consequences and since it is clear how they, as consumers, benefit 10.

　　from GM crops, they would rather not run the risk.