Aussies remain wary of GM

ABC Rural - Australia

Monday, 08/02/2010

For the sixth year running, a survey has found consumers don't trust genetic modification.

A Swinburne University survey of 1000 people from around Australia has found most consumers are uncomfortable with GM technology.

The survey found people often lock in their opinion about GM without knowing much about it.

Professor of sociology Michael Gilding says consumers' attitudes have barely changed.

"They don't see what's in it for them," he says.

"To give you another example, with attitudes towards pharmaceuticals, people on the whole - older people especially - fully embrace new developments in pharmaceuticals.

"But on GM agriculture, most people see there's something in it for the companies, there might be something in it for the producers, but they don't feel there's anything in it for them."

abc.net.au