[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Consumers Not Anxious For Genetically Engineered Food/other issues

For your info - consumers not want GE food - one possible consequence of
GE, they say, is that "these "unnatural" food crops are likely to lead to
even more
intensive farming and run contrary to, and may compromise, more sustainable
methods such as organic farming"...   P. Dines

--- FORWARD ---

From: Rich Winkel, INTERNET:rich@pencil
Sender: owner-imap@CHUMBLY.MATH.MISSOURI.EDU
To: Patricia Dines, 73652,1202
Date: Sat, May 31, 1997, 4:24 PM
Subject: Consumers Not Anxious For Genetically Engineered Food

/** headlines: 195.0 **/
** Written  8:23 PM  May 29, 1997 by econet in cdp:headlines **
/* Written 11:48 AM  May 28, 1997 by www@foe.co.uk in foe.press */
From: www@foe.co.uk (WWW Administrator)

'GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED FOOD?  NO THANKS!', SAY CONSUMERS
---------------------------------------------------------

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, WEDNESDAY, 28 May 1997         1 of 2
  'GENETICALLY-ENGINEERED FOOD?  NO THANKS!', SAY CONSUMERS

  Independent research carried out for Sainsbury's shows that the
  public are alarmed at the prospect of genetically-engineered food
  and has concluded that:  'Overall Genetically Modified Produce is
  not perceived to be a good idea'    [1].  Over half of those aware
  of genetically-engineered food said they would 'probably not' or
  'definitely not' buy such food.

  Adrian Bebb, Food and Biotechnology Campaigner for Friends of the
  Earth, said:

  The public are rightly alarmed about what they regard as this
  'unnatural' food - hardly surprising given the risks and recent
  scandals involving food production and farming methods.  This
  research sends a clear message to supermarkets and to farmers -
  don't stock the stuff and don't plant it!"

  The research also reveals that consumers think that:

  * profit is the main reason genetically-engineered food crops
  have been developed;
  * customers should at least be able to choose between
  genetically-engineered and 'normal' foodstuffs by segregation and
  labelling;
  * seven out of ten of those aware of genetically-engineered
  foodstuffs hadn't anything positive to say about them.  The common
  negative view being that they were 'unnatural' and there were
  unknown risks;
  * in the 'hierarchy of trust' identified, environmental groups
  were seen as foremost in having consumers' best interests at
  heart, whilst in declining order:  the supermarkets, food
  manufacturers and Government had consumers' interests least at heart.

  Adrian Bebb continued:

  "Sainsbury's promotes itself on providing 'good food'.  This
  useful research makes it plain that their customers do not think
  genetically-engineered food is 'good'.  All the major retailers
  should now act on these findings and resist the invasion of more
  alien foodstuffs onto their shelves."

  Friends of the Earth's concerns on genetically-engineered
  foodstuffs are as follows:

  * field trials are being conducted in the UK without adequate
  public scrutiny [2];
  * human and animal safety has apparently not been fully assessed [3];
  * the consequences of releasing genetically modified organisms
  into the environment may have serious implications for wildlife
  and farming [4];
  * these "unnatural" food crops are likely to lead to even more
  intensive farming and run contrary to, and may compromise, more
  sustainable methods such as organic farming [5].

  ENDS

  NOTES TO EDITORS

  1.    Results of the Sainsbury's poll were presented at a Workshop
  on GMOs organised by Sainsbury's on Friday 23rd May at The
  Brewery, Chiswell St, London.  The survey was carried out by
  Market Measures Ltd.  The survey interviewed 647 respondents at
  60 sample points across the country.  Friends of the Earth congratulates 
  Sainsbury's on carrying out and publicising this timely and valuable
research.

  2.    Field trials currently being conducted in the UK include
  sugar beet and oilseed rape.  Some of these have apparently been
  given the go-ahead before the public consultation period has elapsed.

  3.    Some applications use antibiotic 'marker' genes, giving rise
  to the possibility of antibiotic resistance developing amongst
  harmful bacteria.

  4.    Research in Scotland has demonstrated that pollen from
  genetically-modified oilseed rape can travel up to 2.5 km with a
  potential to cross-pollinate other non- modified crops or related
  weed species with unknown environmental consequences.

  5.    Genetic modification is being used to introduce herbicide
  resistance into crop plants to facilitate weed control after the
  crop has emerged from the soil.  This will further emphasise
  current reliance on agrochemicals.

** End of text from cdp:headlines **

***************************************************************************
This material came from PeaceNet, a non-profit progressive networking
service.  For more information, send a message to peacenet-info@igc.apc.org
***************************************************************************