TEXTO:
Scientists say that a common ingredient found in
Chinese herbal medicine is responsible for the very high
incidence of some cancers and kidney disease in
Taiwan. For thousands of years the aristolochia plant
[5] with its reddish-yellow flowers has been a mainstay of
Chinese herbal medicine. Sometimes referred to as
birthwort ∈Europe, the toxic nature of the plant was
discovered ∈ the 1990s when dozens of Belgian women
began developing kidney failure and urinary tract cancers.
[10] They had been using aristolochia-based slimming aids
at clinic.
Now scientists say that the key element,
aristolochic acid, is responsible for the very high levels
of kidney disease and urinary tract tumors ∈Taiwan.
[15] It’s estimated that about one ∈ three of the population
there have used herbal medicines containing the toxin.
The country has the world’s highest incidence of cancers
of the upper urinary tract - and ∈ their study the scientists
say more than half can be directly linked to the ingredient.
[20] While products containing aristolochic acid are
banned ∈ many countries, one of the big concerns is
China. In 2004 a study suggests Chinese farmers
produce enough of the plant to dose 100 million people.
Scientists are concerned, that ∈ the decades to come,
[25] disease caused by the aristolochia will create an
international public health problem of considerable
magnitude.
Disponível em: <www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2012/04/120412witnherbalmedicine.shtml>. Acesso em: 12 out. 2013.
Fill ∈ the parentheses with T (True) or F (False).
About the aristolochia plant, it’s correct to say:
( ) It started being used as a natural remedy by the end of the last century.
( ) It has been an essential part of Chinese herbal medicine.
( ) Scientists have now confirmed that it is harmful.
( ) Its harmful nature was first detected ∈Belgium ∈ the nineties.
According to the text, the correct sequence, from top to bottom, is
