COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
Predicted areas of confusion and misconception include:
1. The safety / danger of GMO’s for human use
2. The relative ‘naturalness’ of genetic engineering
3. The necessity of GMO use for the future
4. The economic benefits of GMO’s
Many of the misconceptions present both sides of the GMO debate (e.g. they are
perfectly safe, or, they are completely dangerous). This reflects the
ambivalence of the concept itself; while many of the misconceptions are
over-generalising and therefore inaccurate, most are based in some merit as the
topic is mired in present controversy. Teachers should be careful to acknowledge
this when addressing the issue, and should be careful not to draw too many
conclusions that may not be scientifically warranted.
In other words, these 'misconceptions' are not demonstrably proven false; the debate continues!
1. The safety / danger of GMO’s for human use
2. The relative ‘naturalness’ of genetic engineering
3. The necessity of GMO use for the future
4. The economic benefits of GMO’s
Many of the misconceptions present both sides of the GMO debate (e.g. they are
perfectly safe, or, they are completely dangerous). This reflects the
ambivalence of the concept itself; while many of the misconceptions are
over-generalising and therefore inaccurate, most are based in some merit as the
topic is mired in present controversy. Teachers should be careful to acknowledge
this when addressing the issue, and should be careful not to draw too many
conclusions that may not be scientifically warranted.
In other words, these 'misconceptions' are not demonstrably proven false; the debate continues!