[The public perception of information about the potential risks of genetically modified crops in the food chain].
At a time when genetically modified (GM) crops are entering the Brazilian food chain, we present the findings of a study that makes use of a qualitative technique involving focal groups to look into the public's interpretation of the information available about this biotechnological innovation. This methodology produced results that revealed the interconnections drawn by the research subjects between this form of biotechnology, changes to the environment, and food production in general. The mistrust expressed about GM crops was particularly attributed by the participants to the non-availability of comprehensible information in the mass media or on product labels.
Furnival
Ariadne Chloë
AC
Departamento de Ciência da Informação, Universidade Federal de São Carlos-UFSCar, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 235, 13560-905 São Carlos, SP, Brasil. chloe@ufscar.br
Pinheiro
Sônia Maria
SM
D001290:Attitude; D001938:Brazil; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D020387:Food Chain; D005515:Food Labeling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000009:adverse effects; D011639:Public Opinion; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D035502:Trust