The genetically modified organism shall not be refused? Talking back to the technosciences

Starting from Marcel Mauss’ observation that “one has no right to refuse a gift”, this paper explores the politics of refusal in the context of field trials with genetically modified organisms in Flanders (Belgium). Based on a decade of activist research, and focusing on the genetically modified organism field trials of the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology, we show that the business model of this strategic research center – with its triple mission of carrying biotechnology research, technology transfer, and the promotion of biotechnology through communication and lobby activities – fosters a climate in which innovations in the technosciences have to “be accepted”. The future is laid out without including the possibility of refusal. Consternation is great when this is exactly what happens. Irrational fears and lack of understanding or lack of familiarity are invoked to explain refusal. Language of precision, innovation, safety, and control are deployed to re-assure the public. Refusal is not considered a legitimate option. Yet, if farmers and grassroots initiatives would accept the gift of genetically modified organisms, it would mean the acceptance of their dispossession and the impossibility of diverse food sovereignties. Starting from theoretical work on “the gift” and “the politics of refusal”, we argue that recognizing innovation as the intrinsically plural and divergent process it is, entails including options to refuse particular pathways as a first step to open up others. As we will argue, saying no to genetically modified organisms is part of saying yes to peasant autonomy, agrobiodiversity, and peoples’ food sovereignties.

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GMO Genetic Elements Thesaurus (GMO-GET): a controlled vocabulary for the consensus designation of introduced or modified genetic elements in genetically modified organisms

BMC Bioinformatics ◽

10.1186/s12859-020-03880-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Paulien Adamse ◽

Emilie Dagand ◽

Karen Bohmert-Tatarev ◽

Daniela Wahler ◽

Manoela Miranda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Controlled Vocabulary ◽

Data Systems ◽

Genetic Elements ◽

Related Information ◽

Detection And Identification ◽

Unique Approach ◽

The Subject ◽

And Control

Abstract Background Various databases on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) exist, all with their specific focus to facilitate access to information needed for, e. g., the assistance in risk assessment, the development of detection and identification strategies or inspection and control activities. Each database has its unique approach towards the subject. Often these databases use different terminology to describe the GMOs. For adequate GMO addressing and identification and exchange of GMO-related information it is necessary to use commonly agreed upon concepts and terminology. Result A hierarchically structured controlled vocabulary describing the genetic elements inserted into conventional GMOs, and GMOs developed by the use of gen(om)e-editing is presented: the GMO genetic element thesaurus (GMO-GET). GMO-GET can be used for GMO-related documentation, including GMO-related databases. It has initially been developed on the basis of two GMO databases, i.e. the Biosafety Clearing-House and the EUginius database. Conclusion The use of GMO-GET will enable consistent and compatible information (harmonisation), also allowing an accurate exchange of information between the different data systems and thereby facilitating their interoperability. GMO-GET can also be used to describe genetic elements that are altered in organisms obtained through current targeted genome-editing techniques.

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How to Do What Is Right, Not What Is Easy: Requirements for Assessment of Genome-Edited and Genetically Modified Organisms under Ethical Guidelines

Food Ethics ◽

10.1007/s41055-021-00091-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

Author(s):

T. Antonsen ◽

T. Dassler

Keyword(s):

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Practical Knowledge ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Genetically Modified Organism ◽

Ethical Guidelines ◽

Complex Dynamic ◽

Ethical Assessment ◽

Ethical Expertise ◽

Range Of Values

Summary/AbstractAn ethical assessment is a complex, dynamic and comprehensive process that requires both ethical expertise and practical knowledge. An ethical assessment of a genetically modified organism (GMO, including genome edited organisms) must follow accepted and transparent methods and be based in relevant considerations. In addition, the Ethical guidelines must include a broad and adequate range of values, so that no groups, stakeholders, agents or areas are left out.

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Production of Certified Reference Materials for the Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms

Journal of AOAC International ◽

10.1093/jaoac/85.3.775 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 85 (3) ◽

pp. 775-779 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Stefanie Trapmann ◽

Heinz Schimmel ◽

Gerard Nico Kramer ◽

Guy van den Eede ◽

Jean Pauwels

Keyword(s):

Reference Materials ◽

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Production Control ◽

Certified Reference Materials ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Base Material ◽

Genetically Modified Organism ◽

International Organization ◽

Roundup Ready

Abstract Certified reference materials (CRMs) are an essential tool in the quality assurance of analytical measurements. They are produced, certified, and used in accordance with relevant ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and BCR (Community Bureau of Reference) guidelines. The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM; Geel, Belgium) has produced the first powdery genetically modified organism (GMO) CRMs in cooperation with the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (Ispra, Italy). Until now, different weight percentages in the range of 0–5%for 4 GMOs in Europe were produced and certified: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)-11 and Bt-176 maize, Roundup Ready® soybean, and MON810 maize. Bt-11 and Bt-176 maize and Roundup Ready soybean were produced by IRMM on behalf of Fluka Chemie AG (Buchs, Switzerland). Characterization of used base material is the first step in production and is especially important for GMO CRMs. The production of powdery GMO CRMs and methods used for production control are described. Thorough control of homogeneity and stability are essential for certification of reference materials and ensure validity of the certificate for each bottle of a batch throughout a defined shelf-life. Because production of reference materials and their maintenance are very labor- and cost-intensive tasks, the usefulness of new types of GMO CRMs must be estimated carefully.

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The proposed Amendments to the German Biotechnology Law: Progress or Setback for Biotechnology in Germany?

Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law ◽

10.1163/187601007x00046 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 449-454

Author(s):

Jan-Erik Burchardi

Keyword(s):

Federal Government ◽

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Policy Choices ◽

Biotechnology Research ◽

Farming Community ◽

Advance Research ◽

The Government ◽

Paradigmatic Change ◽

Government Coalition

AbstractOn 8 August 2007 the German federal government has approved a draft legislative package introducing changes to the biotechnology laws and regulations. This is already the second time the current government has amended the rules and procedures regarding genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The new draft is aimed at fulfilling the government coalition agreement to advance research and application of biotechnology in Germany. This article will provide an overview of the proposed amendments and briefly analyse to what extend the aim of advancing biotechnology has been achieved. The author argues that the draft introduces a number of amendments with the potential of advancing biotechnology research and of appeasing the farming community on the issue of cultivation of GMOs. However, a number of fundamental policy choices regarding biotechnology have been left unaltered. The author therefore concludes that this draft does not lead to a paradigmatic change regarding biotechnology policy in Germany.

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Performativity in Action: How Risk Communication Interacts in Risk Regulation

European Journal of Risk Regulation ◽

10.1017/s1867299x00005523 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 213-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

P. Marijn Poortvliet ◽

Martijn Duineveld ◽

Kai Purnhagen

Keyword(s):

Risk Communication ◽

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Risk Regulation ◽

The Gaze ◽

Gmo Regulation ◽

And Control ◽

The Eu

Examples abound of highly politicized instances of risk controversies, such as the climate debate, counterterrorism, and the commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Numerous reasons, such as divergent perspectives, ways of communication, and interests, explain why involved actors often find themselves locked in a controversy.For instance, in the GMO debates environmental politicians, NGOs, industrial parties, consumers, and GMO scientists have exerted very distinct ways of communication, resulting in a highly polarized and contested gene-risk landscape. As a consequence, some industrial players have left or terminated R&D activities in the EU, while other scientists escape the gaze of EU-regulations and started experimenting in places with a different approach to GMO regulation and control.

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The Release of Genetically Modified Organisms into the Environment: Public Concerns and Regulatory Responses

Environmental Law Review ◽

10.1177/146145290200400303 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 156-170

Author(s):

Michael Cardwell

Keyword(s):

Precautionary Principle ◽

Consumer Choice ◽

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Field Trials ◽

Public Concern ◽

Environmental Implications ◽

The Precautionary Principle ◽

Environmental Liability ◽

Public Concerns

Public concern about the health and environmental implications of genetically modified organisms has not been allayed. This concern has been reflected in, for example, consumer choice and the reluctance of juries to convict those protesting against field trials. Two aspects of the response by the Community legislature may be examined: first, increasing recourse to the precautionary principle; and, secondly, the proposed regime to address environmental liability. The adequacy of such measures is, however, to be judged against the background of calls at the highest level for an entrepreneurial Community to participate more fully in the biotechnology revolution.

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Knowledge of adolescents completing secondary schools concerning genetically modified organisms (GMO)

Ochrona Srodowiska i Zasobów Naturalnych ◽

10.1515/oszn-2016-0013 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 38-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Magdalena Florek-Łuszczki ◽

Stanisław Lachowski ◽

Jarosław Chmielewski ◽

Anna Jurkiewicz

Keyword(s):

Secondary Schools ◽

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Genetically Modified ◽

Genetically Modified Organism ◽

Technical Schools ◽

Demographic Traits ◽

Level Of Knowledge ◽

The Relationship ◽

Type Of School

Abstract The objective of the conducted analyses is the evaluation of the level of knowledge concerning the scope of problems related with genetically modified organism (GMO) amongst adolescents completing secondary schools and the determination of the relationship between the level of this knowledge and the selected demographic traits of the adolescents examined.The scope of problems undertaken was elaborated based on the survey conducted in a group of 500 adolescents from the Lublin Region completing secondary schools, including 250 adolescents attending General Secondary Schools and 250 adolescents attending Agricultural Secondary Technical Schools. The study was conducted by the method of a diagnostic survey, using a questionnaire.The study showed that the majority of adolescents completing secondary schools were not interested at all in the scope of problems concerning GMO. A large part of the respondents (more than 2/5) had a very low level of knowledge of this problem. The greatest differences in the level of knowledge about GMO were observed in subgroups divided according to the type of school attended by the adolescents (General or Agricultural Technical). Respondents who attended General Secondary Schools showed a better knowledge of theoretical problems, whereas those who attended Secondary Agricultural Technical Schools were better familiarised with practical issues.

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