Why are some people still afraid of GMOs?

gmos
Image credit: Reuters

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been a source of controversy in recent years. As products advertised as “natural”, “clean” and “organic” have grown in popularity, GMOs have been villainized as unnatural and hazardous to your health ….

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[T]he opinion of a well-known science and health “expert” can sometimes scaremonger the general public into believing the negative hype generated by that individual. As an example, [Canadian science communicator] David Suzuki has strongly opposed GMOs and has said that “any politician or scientist who tells you these [GMO] products are safe is either very stupid or lying” …. Unfortunately, by discrediting those who are conducting and communicating the evidence we have available on GMOs, he is contributing to the misinformation surrounding them.

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So if there is evidence to show that these foods are safe for consumption, why the controversy on this topic?

A quote from the European Commission’s report on European Union-funded GMO research may provide the most reasonable explanation for this: “science can certify the existence of danger, but not its absence.” Studies that fail to find evidence of risk can be used to support the argument that a GM food is safe, but they can never confirm that a risk does not exist which can also help to provide fuel for those who do not believe in the safety of GMOs.

Read full, original article: Too much fear surrounds GMOs

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