Public perceptions of genetically modified food: an Australian perspective

Public acceptance is crucial to the success of the products of any new technology, including genetically modified (GM) food (Davison et al 1997: 317-318). Governments and industry are aware that failure in market acceptance can waste millions of dollars in investment in new technologies. Public support for GM food has been historically low in Australia, despite widespread adoption of other applications of biotechnology such as new vaccines (Bunton and Gilding, forthcoming). As a consequence, several years ago moratoria on GM canola were put in place in all canola-growing states for fear of a consumer backlash over concerns that non-GM crops would be contaminated, and because of 'deep divisions and uncertainty' in the industry and the community (DAFF 2007: xi; 39). However public policy is shifting on the issue, with the moratoria being lifted in some Australian states (DPI (Vic) 2008; DPI (NSW) 2008). This thesis is not about the merits or otherwise of GM food. It is a snapshot of the current state of public perceptions of GM food at this pivotal time for the industry and an exploration of how these perceptions can best be understood. It finds that public support for GM food in Australia is relatively low, but there are diverse views among the public on the issue. Trust in the large corporations involved in the GM food industry was found to be the major determining factor in attitudes to GM food, particularly for GM agriculture. Those who trust in the corporate responsibility of large corporations are more supportive of GM food, while those who do not trust them are more likely to oppose GM food. For GM animals, trust in scientists was important, due to concerns about the greater risks with GM animal technology and discomfort about where the technology could lead.