Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

9
Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon Janet Grice Angela MacKenzie Carmen McLeod

description

Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon. Janet Grice Angela MacKenzie Carmen McLeod. Traditional View of Salmon. New Zealand King Salmon. Processing ~ 5000 tonnes of salmon p.a. 70% of NZ farmed salmon 40% of world production - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Page 1: Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Janet Grice

Angela MacKenzie

Carmen McLeod

Page 2: Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Traditional View of Salmon

Page 3: Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

New Zealand King Salmon

• Processing ~ 5000 tonnes of salmon p.a.

• 70% of NZ farmed salmon

• 40% of world production

• Guarantee no antibiotics, growth stimulants, Drugs or toxic substances added

Page 4: Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

New Zealand King Salmon

• 1994 – research GM fish • 1999 – Green Party leaked document about

deformities• “Frankenfish”• Local Opposition• 2000 – Salmon trials closed• Denied closure due to political, ethical or

scientific influence• Negative publicity jeopardised the image of

NZKS

Page 5: Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Consumer Perceptions

• Series of focus groups conducted in November 2006

• Perceptions of NZ Royal Commission

• Perceptions of GM in general

• Perceptions of GM salmon

Page 6: Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Perceptions of NZ Royal Commission

• Most participants were unaware of the Royal Commission

• Those who were aware considered it to be a ‘whitewash’ producing the results that industry wanted

Page 7: Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Perceptions of GM in general

• General acceptance of the technology

• Concerns about environmental safety

• Concerns about benefits to consumers

• Concerns about ownership of technology

• Concerns about food safety

• Acceptance of medical applications of the technology

Page 8: Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Perceptions of GM salmon

• Fast growing salmon seen as a benefit only to companies

• Concerns that growing at twice the rate will require twice the food

• Concerns about increases in Omega oils – can the body utilize them?

• Reluctance to eat the resulting food products

Page 9: Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Conclusion

• Sense of inevitability of introduction of GM food

• Queries regarding the motives of companies introducing the technology

• Queries regarding the necessity of the technology

• Consider that a more holistic viewpoint should be taken on problems