Designing Biotechnology for Biosafety

Abstract

Public perception of transgenic plants has often been based upon information provided by vocal, anti-transgenic groups. Companies marketing transgenics have not been viewed as an unbiased source of information, and presentations have not been effective. Government regulatory agencies provide the public with reassurance that consumption and environmental risks are being addressed, but these agencies provide only limited public presentations on risk: benefit studies of transgenic plants. Scientists developing transgenic plants are well positioned to explain how they develop the plant materials and why they are safe, yet they fail to interact with the public and provide this much need information.