Biotech Updates

GMOs not as Worrisome as Environment Problems, says EU Survey

March 19, 2008

A recently concluded Eurobarometer on the Attitudes of European Citizens towards the environment revealed the increasing awareness and a semblance of  near acceptance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Specifically, there was a 4% reduction in the percentage of Europeans who are worried about GMOs; 14% reduction in those that consider that they lack information relating to the use of GM in farming; and that GMO issues are overcome by the broader global environment dangers such as climate change. However,  58% of the Europeans still oppose GMOs and 21% are supportive. This opposition may be a result of misinformation about the technology, the survey says.

The study also showed that the top 15 issues Europeans are most worried about are climate change, water pollution, and air pollution in descending order of importance, with GMOS at the 5th place.

Details of the media release can be viewed at: http://www.belgobiotech.be/Document/Press/GMOs%20into%20the%20New%20Eurobarometer%20survey.doc and the full report at: http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_295_en.pdf