Read the following passage about the GENE-EDITED CROPS: EU'S REGULATORY SHIFT and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indic...

Read the following passage about the GENE-EDITED CROPS: EU'S REGULATORY SHIFT and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the best answer to each of the following questions from 31 to 40.

The European Union has recently reached an initial agreement to relax regulations governing gene-edited crops, representing the first significant relaxation of biotechnology rules in two decades. This decision opens a can of worms regarding agricultural innovation versus consumer safety concerns. Under this proposed framework, plants modified using new genomic techniques that contain no foreign DNA will undergo less regulatory oversight than traditional genetically modified organisms. [I] These products will appear on supermarket shelves without special GMO-style labels, though seed packaging will maintain tracking information for agricultural purposes.

However, the agreement distinguishes between simple genetic modifications and complex changes. [II] Crops engineered with complicated alterations, such as herbicide resistance or built-in pesticide production, will remain subject to the EU's strict GMO regulations. These types must complete full risk assessments and follow serious controls before receiving market authorization. Meanwhile, organic agriculture will maintain its complete ban against any gene-edited types, preserving traditional farming methods.

Agricultural organizations and biotechnology firms have welcomed this regulatory shift, arguing it will speed up the development of climate-resistant, disease-fighting types. European farmers currently face growing challenges from climate change alongside tightening restrictions on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. [III] However, environmental protection groups and consumer organizations have criticized the decision as dangerous deregulation. They argue that removing routine safety checks and package labels weakens transparency while favoring large biotechnology corporations.

The agreement remains temporary, requiring formal approval from EU member governments and Parliament before use. Both supporters and opponents are preparing for a strong political fight over the final details. This debate reflects broader tensions between technological progress and careful principles in food production, highlighting different views on balancing agricultural innovation with consumer rights and environmental protection across Europe. [IV]

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Question 31: The phrase “a can of worms” in paragraph 1 has the closest meaning to _________.

A. stir up                                        B. clear up                                         C. wrap up                                         D. figure out