| Australians seek
facts on gene technology |
31 March 1999
Australians are sending a strong message that they want more information about gene
technology and food, according to a national survey conducted by CSIRO.
New research into consumer attitudes suggests most Australians are willing to try gene
modified foods provided they can see clear benefits.
"But the overwhelming message from this sample of opinion was that people don't have
enough information on gene technology or its use in food, and they would definitely like
more," says Dr Katrine Baghust, principal research scientist with CSIRO Human
Nutrition.
Dr Baghurst will outline the findings of the national random survey to a conference on
gene technology hosted by the Australian Academy of Science at the Maritime Museum in
Sydney today. The result are based on 623 postal responses.
"The survey shows 47 per cent of respondents would be willing to try genetically
modified foods, if they are of better quality and the same cost as ordinary foods - while
17 per cent said they were unwilling to try it."
But more than half of respondents (58 per cent) claimed they knew little or nothing about
gene technology and its use in the food chain although most had heard vaguely about it.
"A key finding of this survey was that 81 per cent of respondents see a clear need
for ongoing communication of information to the public about gene technology."
Dr Baghurst says it is interesting that this survey suggests most consumers still rate the
issue of chemicals in the food chain as a much greater concern.
"It also indicated that 45 per cent consider continued scientific and technological
innovation will deliver benefits that outweigh the risks, while 37 per cent are unsure and
17 per cent disagree."
Dr Baghurst said that it was interesting how the random survey had to a significant degree
complemented the findings of the recent Consensus Conference on Gene Technology in the
Food Chain, in which a citizen panel was carefully briefed on the issue by experts.
"The Consensus Conference, too, emphasised a need for better public information on
this issue, yet it gave gene technology in Australia a cautious green light subject to
proper regulation and public scrutiny."
"There is a message here for science, for industry and for governments. CSIRO is
already working hard to make sure this information is more readily available."
The Chief of CSIRO Human Nutrition, Professor Richard Head, will tell the conference that
gene technology offers potential opportunities in the field of improved human nutrition -
in the form of novel foods to combat diet-related diseases such as heart disease, cancer
and diabetes.
"The implications of gene technology (and other technologies) for nutrition may
relate to improvement in food to overcome deficiencies and to protect against chronic
disease," he said.
"This in turn will require an understanding of the properties of individual nutrients
in the food supply - and what their availability might mean for our health."
Professor Head says that gene technology may lead to an increase in the availability of
certain valuable nutrients that protect against disease, where these are not easily
available from other sources.
The goal of the research is to maximise human health outcomes, he says.
More information:
Dr Katrine Baghurst, CSIRO Human Nutrition 08 8303 8814
Professor Richard Head, Chief, CSIRO Human Nutrition 08 8303 8865
Ms Jenny Rhodes, CSIRO Human Nutrition 08 8303 8870 or 0412 511 678
Paula Fitzgerald, CSIRO 0418 626 860N1703 |
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