Written: November 4, 2011
Public Awareness and Concerns of Biotechnology
The awareness and understanding of general the general public are important factors that can limit the advancement of biotechnology research and applications. Within any society, the ultimate choice on whether scientific research and technological applications are employed comes down to the power of the people. The level of public awareness and understanding is very important to the development of new technologies, because they rely on the general public to utilize the new applications. For if the public has trouble understanding the general advances of biotechnology, they will be more likely to be opposed to it, and therefore new biotechnology applications will be prevented from being utilized.
Within the fields of biotechnology, many studies have been conducted to look at the public acceptance of genetically modified food products. For example, the Chinese government has become increasingly more concerned about the potential risks that transgenic crops pose to their nation's food supply. However, in China the “basic consumer understanding of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is very low, mainly because genetic modification is not allowed to become a widely debated issue in the media (AgBio Forum). In September of 2003, a survey regarding public awareness and acceptance was conducted of GM food products was conduced. Out of the almost 1,000 consumers interviewed, roughly 71% has reported they had heard of biotech food products. However, less than 20% of those interviewed reported having an understanding of genes and transgenic food products. Around 60% reported that they were neutral or unwilling to consume GM food products. Within the example survey in China, there are clear distinctions that show that while the majority of the public had heard about transgenic food products in some way or another, only a small percentage truly had a basic understanding of genetics and biotech food products (AgBio Forum).
The public is also constantly bombarded with propaganda that is designed to spread misinformation regarding genetic engineering (GE). Some opponents of transgenic agriculture have been able to spread misinformation because the general public is so little educated about science. Over time, opponents to GE technologies have deliberately spread misinterpreted results of biotech research studies in order to sway public opinion. By targeting very specialized examples of GE research, opponents have been able to manipulate an individual's opinions by feeding their emotions. For example, Paul Billings wrote an op-ed article in the Boston Globe that contended that “dangerous untested foods are being foisted upon an unsuspecting American public, by mad scientists” (Rader). Even though the scientists behind the studies have publicly denounced the misinterpreted results, the damage had already been done once a majority of the public opinion has been swayed.
Members of the public are also affected by propaganda and targeted advertising campaigns from biotechnology companies. These advertising campaigns are directed to the emotional connection of the general public, by supplying information regarding the benefits of new medical tests and procedures. While biotech companies state that their marketing is a benefit to society, many experts argue that these ads are merely creating unnecessary anxiety by preying on societies' already exaggerated fears of illness and disease (DTC Campaigns).
Overall, the public is continually being attacked by parties from both sides of the GE debate. The public's awareness, concerns, and approvals of biotechnology have greatly significant effects on continued research as well as the applied use of biotechnologies.
Resources
Ho, P., & Vermeer, E.B. (2004). Food safety concerns and biotechnology: Consumers' attitudes to genetically modified products in urban China.AgBioForum, 7(4), 158-175. Available: http://www.agbioforum.org.
Brierley, Karina, and Ellen Matloff. "DTC Campaigns Mislead Public."Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. 01 Jan 2008: n. page. Web. 6 Nov. 2011. <http://www.genengnews.com/gen-articles/dtc-campaigns-mislead-public/2315/>.
Rader, Charles. "Misinformation about Food Safety." A Report on Genetically Engineered Crops. Jan 2008. Web. 6 Nov. 2011. <http://members.tripod.com/c_rader0/gemod.htm#foodsafetymisinformation>.
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