Psychological concepts, public relations, and scientific responsesto genetically modified organisms (GMOS)

摘要

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are defined as organisms(e.g., plants, animals, and microorganisms) whose genetic information(i.e., DNA) is modified. Commercialization of GMOs has become an issuefor an intense debate between parts of Europe and America, as well aswithin some developing countries. The main issues involve long-termhealth and environmental risks of using GMOs, safety assessment fortheir approval process, and consumers' right to choose. Consumeracceptance, a main factor driving genetic engineering development, seemmixed, especially after the European Union decided to require labelingfor GM products. Deutsche Bank predicted that GM products might becomediscounted particularly in food industries. This paper usespsychological concepts to help explain scientific and public responsesto GM products, to study stakeholders' tradeoffs and finally to expresssome suggestion for policy setting