ISSUES SURROUNDING GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs): PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY PERCY CHIMWAMUROMBE UNIVERSITY OF NAMIBIA, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

INTRODUCTION biotechnology: a group of useful, enabling technologies involving cells with a wide and diverse application in industry, commerce and the environment . old history. agriculture focus on feeding the ever growing world population.

1. PUBLIC AWARENESS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING GE is a subject of high level criticism by a suspicious public. “Unnaturalness”-concern on health risks, effects on environment. GE is a technically complex issue. Scientist to inform and communicate. Benefits are overshadowed by imagined risks due to awareness.

2. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS-SAFETY OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS Governments have duty to ensure safety of GMO food that is consumed by the public. Substantial equivalence. Prudent toxicological and nutritional guidance is required. Safety assessments must satisfy all stake holders.

3. LABELING- HOW FAR SHOULD IT GO? Generally, the purpose of labeling is to provide enough information and advice accurately and clearly to allow consumers to select products according to their needs. labeling is all about consumer choice and usually nothing to do with safety as far as the GMO is concerned (tobacco issue).

4. POLICY MAKING GE policies are guided by varied interests of govts, industry, academia and environment groups. Product versus Technology used. GE viewed as a new science with little knowledge & experience existing. Socio-economic and ethno-cultural issues.

5. AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT CONCERN (What ifs?) Antibiotic resistance markers. Pollen transfer from GM crops. Transfer of allergens. Social, moral and ethical issues associated with GMOs.(safety issues slowly being overtaken if not overtaken already)

CONCLUSIONS The safety and impact of GMOs continues to be addressed by scientific research. The nature of genes, how they work and are transferred underpin the development of this technology, this way overall safety of GMOs and their impact will build up and fears will be lost at the end, leaving biotechnology prevailing for betterment of man.