title: Fatal attraction: the intuitive appeal of GMO opposition.
abstract: Public opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) remains strong. By contrast, studies demonstrate again and again that GM crops make a valuable contribution to the development of a sustainable type of agriculture. The discrepancy between public opinion and the scientific evidence requires an explanation. We argue that intuitive expectations about the world render the human mind vulnerable to particular misrepresentations of GMOs. We explain how the involvement of particular intuitions accounts for the popularity, persistence, and typical features of GM opposition and tackle possible objections to our approach. To conclude, we discuss the implications for science education, science communication, and the environmental movement.
authors: Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: st.blancke@gmail.com.
authors: Stefaan
authors: S
authors: Blancke
authors: Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Van Breusegem
authors: Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Geert
authors: G
authors: De Jaeger
authors: Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Braeckman
authors: Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Institute of Plant Biotechnology Outreach-VIB, Incubation and Innovation Center, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Van Montagu
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011639:Public Opinion
keywords: cultural attraction; genetically modified organisms; intuitive mind; public opposition