Worries about genetically modified foods are on the rise. Consumers around the world are increasingly concerned about the effects such organisms have on human health and the environment. Just as troubling is their suspicion of the companies and regulatory authorities who assure the public that those fears are unfounded. Some skepticism is in order, but last week's announcement that researchers had developed a rice strain that would fight Vitamin A deficiency is a warning that the issue of genetically modified organisms is far more complicated than partisans want us to believe.
Consumer groups and opponents of the strains have been on the offensive against genetically modified foods since the first outbreaks of "mad cow disease." Horrific photos of victims of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, as it is more properly known, raised public consciousness about the risks of disease being passed through foods. The term "Frankenfoods" was conjured up to remind consumers of the potential dangers involved and the need for biosafety.
The campaign seems to be working. A recent survey shows that more than 80 percent of Germans, 78 percent of French and 70 percent of Japanese are less likely to buy genetically modified foods. On average, 68 percent of people in the eight countries surveyed said they would be less likely to purchase foods that had been tinkered with. Even Americans, supposedly more sensible about such matters -- and already fed a substantial diet of such foods -- voiced concern: Some 63 percent of them said they would be less likely to buy the stuff.