Biotech Updates

Scientists Explain Why People are Drawn to Oppose GMOs

April 29, 2015

Why does opposition to biotechnology continue to spread? This was answered by Belgian philosophers and plant biotechnologists from Ghent University using cognitive science in their paper published in Trends in Plant Science.

According to the authors, the human brain is highly susceptible to negative representations, especially those that appeal to emotions, which are used by biotech critics in their campaigns. People use intuitive reasoning in their perception about GMOs, which are based on folk biology, teleological and intentional intuitions and disgust. Thus, people refuse to adopt sustainable solutions on the issue.

Read the highlights of the report in Trends in Plant Science.