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Public Views on GMOs: Deconstructing the Myths: Stakeholders in the GMO Debate Often Describe Public opinion as Irrational. But Do They Understand the Public?
Marris investigated how the public perceived the use of GMOs in agriculture. The study consisted of group discussions held in five European countries between September 1998 and October 1999. The study identified myths surrounding public opinion of GMOs. Marris determined that myths about the public included: they are explicitly in support of or against GMOs, they are largely irrational and unscientific, they are oversensitized and act disproportionately, and that they demand zero risk from GMOs. -
Socioeconomic Considerations Relevant to the Sustainable Development, Use and Control of Genetically Modified Foods.
Otsuka addresses major issues surrounding GMOs and whether the development and use of GMOs leads to more sustainable agriculture. He evaluates the effectiveness of sustainable GMO development through the lense of developed and developing countries because the cost-benefit of GMOs and the nature of sustainability varies greatly between the two. Otsuka concludes that different societies assign different values to the positive and negative implications of GMO development. -
Seeds of Hope: How New Genetic Technologies May Increase Value to Farmers, Seed Companies, and the Developing World
Daniel discusses the role that technology plays in food production. He cites that the transformation of agriculture has allowed food production to keep pace with population growth in countries which have had historical food supply problems. However, the commercialization of GM technology has complicated food production. Corporations, consumers, and farmers have conflicting and competing interests which breeds mutual distrust and hinders the establishment of collective public goals. -
Fatal Attraction: The Intuitive Appeal of GMO Opposition.
This paper investigates public opinion and shows that public opinion remains strongly against GMOs despite GM crops making a valuable contribution. The public’s tendency towards intuitive thinking is what is shaping negative public opinion. They explain how psychological phenomena like folk biology, emotions, and teleological and intentional intuitions perpetuate irrational fear around GMOs. Education and cognitive understanding of GMOs could change public perception of GMOs. -
Seeing GMOs from a Systems Perspective: The Need for Comparative Cartographies of Agri/Cultures for Sustainability Assessment
Herrero et al. discuss how agricultural biotechnologies have generated political controversies and how existing systems fail to take into account the conceptual and material networks that come with agricultural biotechnologies. Agricultural biotechnologies cannot be assessed in isolation, but must be evaluated in the socio-ecological environment that they embody. They propose a new system that would enable GM food to be compared with conventional and alternative food networks. -
Genetically Modified Foods: A Critical Review of Their Promise and Problems.
A critical analysis of GMOs and insight into the arguments made by pro and anti-GMO interests. Zhang et al. break down the need for GM crops into three main scenarios: expansion of population, decrease in arable land, and the bottleneck of conventional breeding. They highlight the agronomic and economic benefits of GM crops and how they contribute to sociological and economic improvements in food processing. Conversely, they warn that there could be severe consequences to cultivating GM crops.