scholarly journals The Online Genetically Modified Food Debate: Sociotechnical Imaginaries and Genetically Modified Animals

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 24-40
Author(s):  
Catherine Price
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Genetic Modification ◽  
Selective Breeding ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Online News ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
Sociotechnical Imaginaries ◽  
Nonhuman Animals ◽  
Genetically Modified Animals

The aim of this article is to investigate the sociotechnical imaginaries present in UK online news articles and below the line comments in connection with genetically modified animals. This article attempts to provide an answer through a qualitative study using discourse analysis. The findings reveal how sociotechnical imaginaries present in news articles depict genetically modified animals as ‘other’ in comparison to those bred through selective breeding. In the below the line comments, a key feature is of monstrosity. Here, the sociotechnical imaginaries draw on the concept of ‘other’ along with the imagery of Frankenstein. Nature also features in the sociotechnical imaginaries in the news articles. Journalists present genetic modification as overcoming nature, as well as scientists designing nature. The article concludes by discussing how sociotechnical imaginaries can bring invisible nonhuman animals to the fore. Here, difference makes genetically modified animals newsworthy.

scholarly journals Creating Disease Resistant Chickens: A Viable Solution to Avian Influenza?

Viruses ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fong Looi ◽  
Michelle Baker ◽  
Thomas Townson ◽  
Mathilde Richard ◽  
Ben Novak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Modification ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Selective Breeding ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Natural Resistance ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Disease Resistant

Influenza A virus (IAV) represents an ongoing threat to human and animal health worldwide. The generation of IAV-resistant chickens through genetic modification and/or selective breeding may help prevent viral spread. The feasibility of creating genetically modified birds has already been demonstrated with the insertion of transgenes that target IAV into the genomes of chickens. This approach has been met with some success in minimising the spread of IAV but has limitations in terms of its ability to prevent the emergence of disease. An alternate approach is the use of genetic engineering to improve host resistance by targeting the antiviral immune responses of poultry to IAV. Harnessing such resistance mechanisms in a “genetic restoration” approach may hold the greatest promise yet for generating disease resistant chickens. Continuing to identify genes associated with natural resistance in poultry provides the opportunity to identify new targets for genetic modification and/or selective breeding. However, as with any new technology, economic, societal, and legislative barriers will need to be overcome before we are likely to see commercialisation of genetically modified birds.

scholarly journals Social Acceptance for Commercialization of Genetically Modified Food Animals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyao Fan ◽  
Yulian Mu ◽  
Tad Sonstegard ◽  
Xiaomei Zhai ◽  
Kui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Variation ◽  
Social Acceptance ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
The Public ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Social License ◽  
Food Animals ◽  
Natural Mutation ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Genetically modified food animals (GMFAs) are needed to address early the cumulative effects of livestock production on the environment and to accommodate future food demands. In 2020 China and the U.S., the world's two largest economies, embarked on regulatory reforms to boost the commercialization of such animals. However, gaining social acceptance of GMFAs for commercialization remains a global challenge. We propose a framework that focuses on social license for commercialization of GMFAs by defining four classes of improvement using precision genetics: 1) animals equivalent to natural variation to obtain the improved effect of cross-breeding (ENV); 2) animals with an inactivated gene that could occur via natural mutation (ENC-); 3) animals harboring a natural genetic sequence isolated from another species (ENC+); and 4) animals with synthetic sequences encoding novel genes (BNE). Our approach can guide regulators and the public to support orderly commercialization of genetically modified food animals.

Correcting Misperceptions About Genetically Modified Food on Social Media: Examining the Impact of Experts, Social Media Heuristics, and the Gateway Belief Model

2020 ◽  
pp. 107554702098137
Author(s):  
Leticia Bode ◽  
Emily K. Vraga ◽  
Melissa Tully
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
The Public ◽  
Scientific Consensus ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
The Impact

We experimentally test whether expert organizations on social media can correct misperceptions of the scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) food for human consumption, as well as what role social media cues, in the form of “likes,” play in that process. We find expert organizations highlighting scientific consensus on GM food safety reduces consensus misperceptions among the public, leading to lower GM misperceptions and boosting related consumption behaviors in line with the gateway belief model. Expert organizations’ credibility may increase as a result of correction, but popularity cues do not seem to affect misperceptions or credibility.

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