UK GMO study shows wide range of concerns

According to the Food Standards Agency's website, a survey was recently conducted to find out what UK citizens think about genetic modification. Goals of the research were to assess people's views on the acceptability of GM food and how this relates to consumer choice. Everyday citizens were the primary sources for the survey, which began in July 2002.

The work shows that most consumers do not have entrenched views on GM foods, saying they were neither pro nor con. However, the study shows that people are suspicious of GM food and believe there is a lack of information available.

The study also found that the concerns over GM food have decreased during the past three years, but it appears that many people still believe the benefits from GM remain unclear and unproven.

To read the full report, please go to the FSA's website, at www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/gm_rep.pdf.

Here are more overall views and trends stated in the report:

"The potential impact of GM crops on the environment was the issue that gave rise to most concern and emerged in all the activities undertaken by the Agency. The safety of GM food was less of an issue, but suspicion and concern still surround the subject.

"Consumers wanted to be able to make an informed choice between GM and non-GM food. They also felt that it is essential that labeling is clear and effective--possibly by using a logo to allow GM ingredients to be clearly identified.

"Although some people considered that GM could bring benefits in terms of nutrition, quality and price, others questioned whether GM food was necessary given the choice of food currently available. Some people felt that the UK could be left behind technologically if GM was developed in the rest of the world.

"Most people involved in the activities acknowledged that there is little public understanding about GM food. They welcomed the presentation of basic facts and considered it important that information should be unbiased and accessible.

"Consumers considered that further information on the safety assessment carried out on GM food needed to be made publicly available and they wanted to know more about the regulatory bodies responsible for safety.

"There continue to be concerns about who to trust where there is uncertainty. The BSE crisis had left some people with a distrust of scientists and government. Some people also raised concerns about how far genetic modification might be taken in the future, particularly regarding GM animals and the acceptability of transferring genes from animals into plants.

"There was recognition that GM food has been consumed outside the EU for some years with no suggestion of any health problems. But there were concerns regarding the potential long-term health effects of eating GM food.

"Impact on the environment and biodiversity--these issues represented the area of most concern in all the activities and also worried people who were generally receptive to eating GM food.

"A particular worry was that once GM crops were released into the environment, there could be no turning back and that, in turn, could restrict choice between GM and non-GM food through cross-contamination.

"Impact on developing countries. Throughout these activities the issue of developing countries came up regularly. Again, there was a very wide range of views as to perceived benefits in relation to economic effects and negative impacts with regard to sustainability."