Public Attitudes Towards Genetic Engineering

Commissioned by GeneWatch, the independent organisation which monitors developments in genetic engineering, this MORI poll shows that 77% want a ban on the growing of such crops until their impacts have been more fully assessed. A similar number (73%) are concerned that genetically-engineered crops could interbreed with natural, wild plants and cause genetic pollution.

The poll also reveals that 61% of the public do not want to eat genetically modified foods (an increase of 8% since a similar MORI poll conducted in December 1996) and 58% oppose the use of genetic engineering in the development of food (a 7% increase on 1996).

Q1 Genetic engineering makes it possible to artificially change the genetic make-up of, foe example, plants, animals and micro-organisms (bacteria etc). The changes made to those are maintained in future generations of the same plants, animals and micro-organisms.

In the food industry, this technique has already begun to be used. There are, for example, genetically-engineered soya beans and maize. Modifying the genetic make-up through genetic engineering causes, for example, beer to ferment faster, cheese to mature quicker, pigs to grow larger, makes grain immune to pests and tomatoes age more slowly.

Supporters of genetic engineering in the food sector are expecting benefits such as more breeding techniques, better products and more efficient production methods.

Critics are afraid of immeasurable health and ecological risks, like the creation of organisms resistant to disease.

The EU is discussing labelling of food that is produced using genetic engineering.

Thinking of genetically modified food or food derived from genetic engineering, what is you opinion towards the development and introduction of such food. Would you say you ...?

Q2 To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement: "I personally would be happy to eat genetically modified food"?

Q3 Last November, the French Government announced a ban on the growing of genetically-engineered crops in France until there has been public debate on whether they are safe and whether there is public support for genetically-engineered foods. At present, there is no such ban on the growing of genetically-engineered foods in this country. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the British Government should announce a similar ban on the growing of genetically-engineered foods in Britain until their impact has been more fully assessed?

Q4 If genetically-modified plants (such as oilseed rape and sugar beet) come into contact with natural, but related plants in the wild, it is possible for them to breed, transferring the genetically modified material to the wild. How concerned are you, if at all, that genetically modified plants may come to breed with wild, natural plants in this way?

Technical details

MORI interviewed 950 adults aged 15+ face-to-face, in-home, between 6-8 June 1998 throughout Great Britain. Data have been weighted to reflect the national profile.

Trend information has been included from a MORI / Greenpeace International poll: 1,003 interviews among adults aged 15+ were conducted by telephone between 13-15 December 1996. Data have been weighted to reflect the national profile.