Fatal attraction: the intuitive appeal of GMO opposition

Stefaan Blancke; Frank Van Breusegem; Geert De Jaeger; Johan Braeckman; Marc Van Montagu

doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2015.03.011

Fatal attraction: the intuitive appeal of GMO opposition

Trends Plant Sci. 2015 Jul;20(7):414-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2015.03.011. Epub 2015 Apr 10.

Authors

Stefaan Blancke¹, Frank Van Breusegem², Geert De Jaeger², Johan Braeckman³, Marc Van Montagu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
³ Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
⁴ Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Institute of Plant Biotechnology Outreach-VIB, Incubation and Innovation Center, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.

PMID: 25868652
DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2015.03.011

Abstract

Public opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remains strong. By contrast, studies demonstrate again and again that GM crops make a valuable contribution to the development of a sustainable type of agriculture. The discrepancy between public opinion and the scientific evidence requires an explanation. We argue that intuitive expectations about the world render the human mind vulnerable to particular misrepresentations of GMOs. We explain how the involvement of particular intuitions accounts for the popularity, persistence, and typical features of GM opposition and tackle possible objections to our approach. To conclude, we discuss the implications for science education, science communication, and the environmental movement.

Keywords: cultural attraction; genetically modified organisms; intuitive mind; public opposition.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Plants, Genetically Modified*
Public Opinion*