Cited by 216Genetically Modified Organisms ResearchRisk Perception and ManagementClimate Change Communication and Perception

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 60 of the 62 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 28 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Fatal attraction: the intuitive appeal of GMO opposition

Open access
Blancke, Stefaan, Van Breusegem, Frank, De Jaeger, Geert, Braeckman, Johan, Van Montagu, Marc·2015·Trends in Plant Science

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.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Public opposition to GMOs remains strong despite scientific evidence that GM crops do not pose specific health or environmental risks and can benefit farmers. The authors argue that evolved intuitions—especially folk biology, teleological/intentional thinking, and disgust—make the human mind especially receptive to anti-GMO representations.

Key findings

  • The paper proposes a cognitive explanation for GMO opposition: intuitive expectations about nature make people vulnerable to misrepresentations of GMOs, and anti-GMO campaigns successfully tap into these intuitions.
  • Psychological essentialism leads people to interpret DNA as an organism’s essence; in a United States survey, more than half of respondents did not reject the idea that tomatoes modified with catfish DNA would taste like fish.
  • Teleological and intentional intuitions contribute to views of genetic engineering as “unnatural,” “playing god,” or “Frankenfood,” while disgust can make GM food seem contaminating or impure.
  • The authors argue that education can partly reduce the intuitive appeal of negative GMO representations, but it is “certainly not foolproof,” and communication should emphasize benefits such as Bt corn containing less mycotoxins, herbicide-resistant crops requiring less tilling, Bt crops enhancing insect biodiversity, and biotech crops helping reduce poverty in India.

Methods

  • Conceptual/cognitive analysis rather than an empirical study: the authors use ideas from cognitive science, evolutionary psychology, and cultural attraction to explain the popularity, persistence, and typical features of GMO opposition.
  • The argument draws on cited literature and illustrative examples, including a US survey and experimental findings on disgust and essentialism.
  • No primary data collection, sample, or statistical analysis is reported.

Limitations

  • The authors state that their cognitive analysis does not render every public concern unfounded a priori; some apprehensions can be legitimate, such as herbicide resistance in weeds where farmers over-relied on glyphosate-tolerant crops.
  • The authors state that education is not foolproof and that intuitive thinking remains a trap even for experts.
  • Evident from the text: the paper is a review/opinion-style synthesis without systematic empirical testing of the proposed cognitive mechanisms, relying instead on examples and cited studies.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.tplants.2015.03.011

Cites

60 of 60 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Verification

Claims the paper makes

25 Own interpretation · 19 Not checked yet · 2 No basis given

Verify all 28 references — free account

Show all 24 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 11
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 12
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
22 of 22
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Lay people are often unable or simply not interested in investing large amounts of time and energy to acquire a profound grasp of complex technologies.

    “Lay 59 people are often unable or are simply not interested in investing large amounts of time and 60 energy to acquire a profound grasp of complex technologies.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Typical weed characteristics are the result of the interplay of numerous genes.

    “On the contrary, 96 typical weed characteristics, such as withstanding harsh environments, competing for light, water 97 and minerals and fast reproduction are the result of the interplay of numerous genes.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Large parts of Europe, where resistance against GM food is strong, are highly secular.

    “Indeed, large parts of Europe, where the resistance 104 against GM food is strong, are highly secular.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Intuitions are universally shared.

    “As intuitions are universally shared, appropriate 158 representations stand a greater chance of becoming widely distributed and culturally stable.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The opposition to GMOs is not everywhere as strong as it is in Europe, although it is more common than people tend to think.

    “Indeed, the opposition to GMOs is not everywhere as strong as it is in 190 Europe, although it is more common than people tend to think.”
5 of 5

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Citations

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Metadata

Authors
Blancke, S., Van Breusegem, F., De Jaeger, G., Braeckman, J., & Van Montagu, M.
Affiliations
Ghent University (BE)
Corresponding author
Blancke, Stefaan
Venue
Trends in Plant Science
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2015-07
Volume
20
Issue
7
Pages
414-418
ISSN
1360-1385 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2127228400
Cited by
206
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 37 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 17 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 6
FWCI
2.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Trends in Plant Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Genetically Modified Organisms Research
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Risk Perception and Management
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Climate Change Communication and Perception
Keywords
genetically modified organisms, intuitive thinking, cognitive biases, science communication, science education, environmental movement, sustainable agriculture, public perception of science
MeSH terms
Humans, Public Opinion, Plants, Genetically Modified

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