SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE AS A TOOL TO CHANGE THE ALTITUDE OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF GMO: GMO-PHOBIA OR GMO-BACCHANALY IN UKRAINE?

摘要

Current state of genetically modified crops and public perception of GM plant have been described. The role of science in the society education and information is discussed. The necessity of the national strategic plan and priorities with regard to the use of biotechnologicalplants is announced. Numerous reports and interviews on different topics of genetically modified organisms (GMO) were published in the Ukrainian mass-media during the last years. These articles were main accelerator to the writing of the current paper. The biosafety of GMO has been always in the focus of public attention, but the latest upsurge of mass-media activity was caused by the recent adoption of the national law N 1103-V "On the State System of Biosafety in Development,Transportation and Use of Genetically Modified Organisms" (16) and continuing process of the implementation of this law. In parallel the Provision of Ukrainian government on "Circulation of food products containing genetically modified organisms and/or microorganisms" which was initially planned to take effect from November 1,2007, simulated additional public interest to food safety and labeling in relation with circulation on Ukrainian market of GM-containing products. These interviews are given mostlyby the same environmentalists or persons who claim to be "defendants of consumers' rights." Their general tenor is: GMO are not safe for the human health and environment and this is a reason for mandatory labeling of all GMO-containing products.