Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
special survey,
46
which measures public opinions on behalf of the Euro-
pean Commission, shows that 8 percent of the respondents sponta-
neously mention GMOs when asked about risks associated with food.
When asked to what extent they are worried about genetically modified
products in food or drinks, 25 percent of EU citizens answered “very
worried” and 37 percent answered, “fairly worried.”
“Unnaturalness” of GM Technology
Persons who express moral concerns about GM agriculture stress the
unnaturalness of the technology,
47
and describe genetic modification
as “meddling with nature”
48
and “pushing nature beyond its limits.”
49
Genetic engineering techniques were described as “pushing nature be-
yond its limits” and were thought to “upset the equilibrium of nature.”
50
Even though conventional crops do not undergo the rigorous testing
GM crops are subjected to, these critics universally reject the GM plants
where a conventional alternative exists.
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By its unnaturalness GM food
is also seen as undermining to the Western European food culture. When
GM seeds replace traditional seeds, the cultural heritage, or crop species,
of particular regions disappears.
Sustainability and Coexistence
In addition to concerns about food safety of GM foods, the public also is
uneasy and worried about field tests and agricultural production of GM
crops. Knowing nature as an unpredictable force and species adapting
46
European Commission 2006 Eurobarometer Special Issue 238 Risk issues http://ec
.europa.eu/public opinion/archives/ebs/ebs 238 en.pdf.
47
L. J. Frewer, Communicating about the Risks and Benefits of Genetically Modified
Foods: Effects of Different Information Strategies. 23
Risk Analysis
1117-1133 (2003);
48
A. Shaw, 'It Just Goes Against the Grain': Public Understanding of Genetically Mod-
ified (GM) Food in the UK, 11
Public Understanding of Science
273-291 (2002).
49
See Marris, supra.
50
See Marris, supra.
51
European Commission 2006 Eurobarometer: Europeans and Biotechnology in 2005:
Patterns and Trends.
