The GM

controversy:

Eight theses

Comm4Biotech

18.11.2011, Susanne Benner

The GM controversy: Eight theses

The GM

controversy:

Eight theses

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The GM controversy: Eight theses

1. After decades the perception of GM plants has not improved

2. The general belief that GM plants can be introduced using good

communications strategies is wrong

3. Public knowledge about GM technology is not the limiting factor for acceptance

4. Convincing pro GM arguments have been hard to find

5. The GM debate is strongly ritualized

6. GM plants are an object of projection for several other conflicts and views

7. Public debate in the areas of red and white biotech is over

8. Only GM plant perceived to be of public benefit will bring the controversy to an

end

The GM

controversy:

Eight theses

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1. Thesis:

After decades the perception of GM plants has

not improved

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Although more and more GM crops are grown…

Source: ISAAA 2011

The GM

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…public opinion about GM foods is still sceptical

Percentage agreement “GM food should be encouraged”

Source: Eurobarometer; Gaskell 2010

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…although it varies significantly between EU

states

Source: Eurobarometer; Gaskell 2010

The GM

controversy:

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2. Thesis:

The general belief that GM plants can be

introduced using good communication strategies

is wrong

The GM

controversy:

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Pro GM communication efforts did not yield

the expected results

Also the argument that it simply needs time and money is

wrong!

Benefit communication started in the mid 1990

• the German BioRegio program supported large

communication campaigns

• Millions of Euros were invested, e.g., in touring

biotech mobiles

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Has everything been tried in the EU?

Research institutions, industry, associations, schools, and individuals have been

heavily engaged in communicating the benefits of GMOs.

Communication experts and PR agencies developed numerous strategies

The GM

controversy:

Eight theses Informative Websites

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The GM

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Exhibtions, games, videos, brochures, books…

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ASF

The GM

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23 Hands-on biotech labs in Germany only!

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Showgardens and field visits

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Blogs

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3. Thesis:

Public knowledge about GM technology is not

the limiting factor for acceptance

The GM

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Public knowledge about GM technology could be

improved…

Source: Eurobarometer 2005

yes no

The GM

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…but is not the limiting factor

Source: Tilman Becker https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/fileadmin/ einrichtungen/marktlehre/Forschung/Verbraucherverhalten/gentech.pdf 1999; Melanie Connor http://www.plantsciences.ch/psc_events/Fachtagungen/presentations_2011/presentations_2011/connor, 2011

• The relationship between knowledge and acceptance is not clear

• Fears, emotions are crucial to the acceptance

• The higher the objective knowledge is, the lower the proportion of

undecided consumers

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“Please tell me to what extent or not you are worried about

the following issues”

…because GM plants are perceived as a risk

that is personally not controllable

Source: Special Eurobarometer on Food 2010

The GM

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4. Thesis:

Convincing pro GM arguments have been

hard to find

The GM

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Convincing arguments would improve the

acceptance of GM food…

Source: Eurobarometer 2005

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“Are you in favor or against Amflora cultivation in Germany

and its use in industrial applications?”

…since concrete benefits lead to significantly higher acceptance

43%

31%

26%

Support

Against

Undecided

Attitude towards Amflora cultivation

14%

49%

37%

Undecided

Support

Against

General attitude towards GM

Source: Allensbach 2007

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…but the same arguments are being used since

decades

Source: Eurobarometer 2010

% respondents who agree or totally agree

that GM food should be encouraged

Support for GM food tending to

decline in several states

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controversy:

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22

…and the arguments will not change in the near

future

• There are only 2 products on the EU market: MON 810 and Amflora

• There are very few consumer products in the pipeline

• Breeding and GM focus is on yield primarily farmer benefits

Source: BASF 2011

The GM

controversy:

Eight theses

The market for consumer GM products is small in

comparison to GM crops delivering higher yields

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Source: BASF 2010

Consumers can´t experience GM food

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5. Thesis:

The GM debate is strongly ritualized

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Standard tool: panel discussions

1997 2011

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The typical exchange of pros and cons

…which often end

with the conclusion:

“Many arguments,

and many open

questions”.

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controversy:

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Field testing public anti GMO happening

field destruction media attention

Irrespective of whether public

or private research, or safety or

coexistence studies, are

involved, there is a critical

mass of people who are willing

to destroy everything

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Pictures: They say more than words…

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…but also manifest biased opinions

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Search for “nanotechnology”

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Search for “Gentechnik“

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Search for “Microsoft“

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Search for “Monsanto“

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6. Thesis:

GM plants are an object of projection for several

other conflicts or views

The GM

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Other conflicts or views have a negative impact on

the debate about GM plants

Anti-

Globalization

movement

“Back to nature”

movement

Mistrust against

multinationals and

governments

General

skepticism about

the future

Organic versus

GMOs

(coexistence)

Undefined safety

concerns

Rich-poor

conflict

Touching the

integrity of

Creation

Scepticism

towards modern

agriculture

GM plants

The GM

controversy:

Eight theses

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7. Thesis:

The public debate in the areas of red and white

biotech is over

The GM

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Consumer products make the difference

Green biotech

(GMOs): Benefits still not obvious,

therefore lacking public

acceptance

Plants, e.g. Canola

Red (medical)

biotech

White (industrial)

biotech

Obvious benefits,

therefore public

acceptance

Drugs, e.g. Insulin

Enzyms, Vitamins, e.g. Chymosin

The GM

controversy:

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Red (medical)

biotech

Red biotech

• At least every second new drug is

produced with GMOs

• In Germany in 2010 198 drugs have

been approved which are produced

with GMOs

• Germany„s biotech-related sector

employes 250.000 people

Source: DIB, 2010

The GM

controversy:

Eight theses

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8. Thesis:

Only GM products perceived to be of public

benefit will bring the controversy to an end

The GM

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“Contrary to scientific and industry opinion, the

European public see GM food as not offering benefits,

as unsafe, as inequitable and as worrying.”

Eurobarometer 2010

The GM

controversy:

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Golden Rice

Omega 3´

(EPA/DHA)

Allergic

protein free

peanuts

Drought

tolerant corn

Golden Rice Lycopene rich

tomatoes

There are very positive examples,

but they need to get to the market

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controversy:

Eight theses

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9. Thesis which is not a thesis but a

recommendation:

Get involved into the discussions!

Do not leave the field to the unscientific!

It might become similar in your research area.

The GM

controversy:

Eight theses

Thanks to my current employer,

the Max Planck Society,

thanks to my former

communications team at

BASF Plant Science

and

thank you!

Disclaimer: This presentation reflects my personal opinion. It should not be taken to

represent the policy of BASF Plant Science nor of the Max Planck Society.

Susanne Benner, November 18, 2011.