Public needs to be 'educated' into accepting GM

Negative consumer attitudes to GM technology and irradiation could be improved by education, say academics.

Researchers from the University of Maine, USA, found a strong correlation between knowledge and acceptance of new technologies.

In their findings, published in the Food Quality and Preference journal, they said most people are prejudiced by learning about biotechnology and irradiation through organic groups.

'Increased knowledge of one technology leads to more negative attitudes of other technologies. This effect may be due to negative information being provided by opponents of specific technologies,' said the study.

'Very few people knew about biotechnology or irradiation if they did not also know about organic methods, whereas many people knew about organic production who did not know about one or both of the other technologies.'

'Food irradiation, in particular, becomes more acceptable as consumers become more informed, principally because their concerns about its effects on the environment and nutrition are eased,' it states.

Useful links
Study: Information effects on consumer attitudes toward three food technologies: Organic production, biotechnology, and irradiation

See also

• Biotech firms thwarting GM research, say scientists
• GM: halt the growing threat
• 10 reasons why GM won't feed the world