Genetically modified (GM) crops: precautionary science and conflicts of interests

Journal or Publishing Institution: Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics

Study: http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1023/A:1023686900879.pdf

Author(s): Myhr, A.I. and Traavik, T.

Article Type: Report

Abstract: Risk governance of GM plants and GM food products is presently subject
to heated scientific and public controversies. Scientists and representatives of the biotechnology industry have dominated debates concerning safety issues. The public is suspicious with regard to the motives of scientists, companies, and political institutions involved. The dilemmas posed are nested, embracing value questions, scientific uncertainty, and contextual issues. The obvious lack of data and insufficient information concerning ecological effects call for application of the Precautionary Principle (PP). There are,
however, divergent opinions among scientists about the relevance of putative hazards,
definition of potential “adverse effects,” and whether actions should be taken to prevent
harm. The reliance on the concept of substantial equivalence in safety evaluation of GM
food is equally controversial. Consequently, value assumptions embedded in a scientific
framework may be a barrier for employment of the PP. One of our major conclusions is
that precautionary GMP usage requires risk assessment criteria yet undeveloped, as well
as broader and more long-term conceptions of risk, uncertainty, and ignorance. Conflicts
of interest and public participation are other issues that need to be taken into consideration.
GMP governance regimes that are justifiable from a precautionary and ethical point
of view must transcend traditional scientific boundaries to include alternative scientific
perspectives as well as public involvement.

Keywords: conflicts of interests, genetically modified (GM) plants, GM food, the
Precautionary Principle, public trust, scientific uncertainty, substantial equivalence

Citation: Myhr, A.I. and Traavik, T., 2003. Genetically modified (GM) crops: precautionary science and conflicts of interests. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 16(3), pp.227-247.