Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
of plant molecular farming revealed that crops were rated more favor-
ably when their benefits for human health were shown. In contrast, if the
benefits are confined to increased profits for farmers, the crop was rated
less favorably. Therefore, without visible health or other benefits, people
are more likely to mention perceived risks in evaluating the acceptance
of GM foods.
56,57
Often claims are made about future developments and benefits of
GM agriculture. The promise is that GM agriculture will end food
scarcity in third world countries, because of its increased crop yields.
However, various reports by NGOs studying data from different coun-
tries state that crop yields have not accelerated since the introduction of
GMOs.
58,59
NGOs communicate this message widely to state that scien-
tists' beliefs of technological optimism are misleading.
Stakeholder Involvement
Lack of public involvement in the decision-making process for GM
crops and foods has contributed to the distrust of Dutch and European
governance of GM food safety.
60
If the public does not become more
involved in the GM policy-making process, distrust of the regulatory
scheme will continue. As a result, both the Netherlands and the EU now
promote more informed participation.
61
The Dutch initially focused on
56
Einsiedel, E. F., Jelsøe, E., Breck, T. (2001) Publics at the technology table: the consen-
sus conference in Denmark, Canada, and Australia,
Public Understanding of Science
,
10, 83-98.
57
E. F. Einsiedel & J. Medlock, A Public Consultation on Plant Molecular Farming, 8
AgBioForum
, 26-32 (2005).
58
Friends of the Earth. 2008. Agriculture and foods: Who benefits from GM crops? The
rise in pesticide use. http://www.foei.org/en/resources/publications/food-sovereignty/
2008/gmcrops2008full.pdf.
59
Soil Association. 2002. Seeds of doubts. North American Farmers' experience with
GMOs. http://orgprints.org/9041/1/Seeds of Doubt.pdf.
60
L. J. Frewer et al., Societal Aspects of Genetically Modified Foods, 42
Food and Chem-
ical Toxicology
, 1191-1193 (2004).
61
D. J. Fiorino, D. J., Citizen Participation and Environmental Risk: A Survey of Insti-
tutional Mechanisms, 15
Science, Technology, & Human Values
, 226-243 (1990).
