7. Public concern

With few exceptions, governments in industrialised countries have been keen to promote genetically engineered food. Numerous surveys, however, have highlighted a discrepancy between government attitudes and those of the public. People's concerns are frequently dismissed as irrational, and based upon a lack of understanding; yet despite attempts by both government and industry to 'educate' the public, opposition to genetic engineering has continued to grow.

Choice - consumers are worried that lack of segregation and labelling, together with the fact that so many foods are being introduced will leave them unable to exercise free choice.

Health - people are becoming aware that there is a scientific basis to safety concerns about GE food, and are reluctant to replace food they know to be safe with food that might not be. A lack of trust in official assurances of safety, which has been exacerbated by the BSE crisis in Europe, has made people very suspicious of claims that there 'is no evidence of harm'.

Ethics - for some people the main issue is not whether genetically engineered food is safe or not, but the fact that it is unnatural and unnecessary. For some it offends deeply held principles about the relationship between humanity and nature.

Politics - People are concerned that under international free-trade agreements, governments are prioritising the financial interests of big business over health, environment and socio-economic considerations.(1)

Profit - trade in GE food and crops is dominated by a handful of multinational corporations such as Monsanto, Syngenta, Aventis and DuPont. It is widely believed that these are the only beneficiaries of genetically engineered foods.

Environment - there is growing evidence that genetic engineering poses new hazards to ecosystems, with the potential to threaten biodiversity, wildlife and truly sustainable forms of agriculture. Critics of the technology argue that once GE organisms have been released into the environment they may transfer their characteristics to other organisms and can never be recalled or contained.
 

References:

(1) In a document leaked to Greenpeace, PR firm Burson Marsteller advised EuropaBio (a consortium of biotechnology companies with interests in Europe) to refrain from partaking in any public debate and leave it to " those charged with public trust, politicians and regulators, to assure the public that biotech products are safe." See: Communications Programmes for EuropaBio, Burson Marsteller, January 1997.
 

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