The Biotech Market and the Consumer Response of

The Biotech Market and the Consumer Response of Public to Biotechnology Products Biology 600 Biotechnology: Principles and Products Delivered Live and via Videoconference June 1 -2, 2005 Phil Mc. Clean Department of Plant Science North Dakota State University NDSU Extension

Precautionary Principle Why Europe Regulates Biotech Products Precautionary Principle States • Commercial activities can be restricted by governments ü IF a scientific or environment risk is perceived ü EVEN IF conclusive data is NOT YET available It is: • A key principle that underlies European Union approaches to regulating biotech products • Incorporated into the Maastricht Treaty that lead to the formation of the EU NDSU Extension

Precautionary Principle Effects of Applying the Principle • The principle makes it difficult to: üdetermine when risk avoidance should take precedence over the general welfare • At its most basic, the principle üRegulates man’s excitement of the new and novel üCan prevent the most unexpected damage from occurring NDSU • As interpreted the principle requires that: ü Biotech products should be regulated until compelling evidence proves they are safe Extension

European Consumer Attitudes Toward Biotech Crops Themes Observed in Recent Surveys • Uncertainty about the issues (1994, 1997, 1998) • Caution is necessary when dealing with complex, technical issues (1998) • Labeling of foods is strongly desired (1994, 1998) • Biotech has less promise than other technologies (1997) • Medical uses of biotechnology preferred over food uses (1994) NDSU Surveys 1994: UK National Consensus Conference 1997: Eurobarometer 1998: Iceland Frozen Food Survey Extension

Other European Concerns About Biotechnology • Biotech crops will be introduced against the will of the public ü Precedence exists in Indonesia ü 1960 s: Government required that “Green revolution” cereals be grown ü It is feared the same will occur with biotech crops NDSU • Vegetarians fear animal genes will be added to plant foods • Producer, not consumer, innovations will be favored • Producer savings will not be passed on to the public • Foreign DNA will be absorbed by humans • Unknown allergens will be introduced • Long-term risk to human health not known Extension

How UK Organizations Responded To Recent Public Controversies Irradiated Food • An effective method of protecting against food-borne pathogens NDSU 1980 s ü Idea proposed ü Factories built 1990 s ü Public objected ü Process never implemented Extension

How UK Organizations Responded To Public Objections Tomato Puree Example NDSU • Zeneca released a GM tomato product ü Processed at lower temperature ü Less carmelization ü “Fresher” tasting ü Rated highly in blind taste tests • “Own Brand” puree sold with GM label • Outsold non-GM 60: 40 in Safeway stores • Sales 30% less in Sainsbury stores • Sainsbury dropped the product because of consumer objections Extension

Buying Power of Large Companies Controls Biotechnology Acceptance Mc. Donald’s Corporation • Largest purchaser of potatoes in the world • Originally purchased insect resistant GM potatoes • Changed policy over potential consumer objections • Monsanto discontinued production of insect resistant GM potatoes NDSU Extension

Buying Power of Large Companies Controls Biotechnology Acceptance Heinz • Large producer of canned beans • Europe a major market for canned beans • Heinz declared they would not buy GM beans (even though they were not available) • Research to develop GM beans is essentially non-existent NDSU Extension

Principles Objections to Biotech Crops General Topics • Unknown health risks • Damage to the environment • The science is unnatural • Multinational corporations are controlling the technology • Benefits are profit not health relate NDSU Extension

Principles Objections to Biotech Crops Perceived Health Risks • Originated in Europe ü Related to the uncertainty over the Mad Cow disease crisis • Public does not trust government statements regarding the safety of the technology ü Safety of biotech foods not demonstrated to their satisfaction ü Why risk your health when the benefits from the crop are not health related NDSU Extension

Principles Objections to Biotech Crops Environmental Risks • Herbicide resistant crops encourage more chemical usage ü Resistance genes could migrate to related weeds ü Weed control would then not be possible • Non-target species could be damaged ü Monarch butterfly controversy NDSU Extension

Principles Objections to Biotech Crops Multinational Corporations Control the Technology • Only a few companies control the technology • The corporations are forcing non-biotech crops to the market • Leads to further industrialization of agriculture NDSU Extension

Does Technical Knowledge Increase Acceptance Of Biotechnology? ? ? Sometimes yes, sometimes no Yes: No: 1997 Eurobarometer Survey 1998 Iceland Frozen Food Survey NDSU Extension

Environmental Issues Related to Biotech Crops Recent History The Environment Has Many Historical Advocates • Rachel Carson – Effects of DDT • 1970 s – Earth Day Movement • 1980 s – EPA director becomes a cabinet level position • 1980 s - 2000 s – The Green movement becomes worldwide Environmental advocacy is a now a worldwide movement NDSU Extension

Environmental Concerns About Biotech Crops NDSU Escape of Transgenes into Wild Species • Only an issue with crops that have weeds they can cross with ü Wheat and Johnson Grass Dependence on Chemical Usage • Volunteer RR crops appear in following year ü Control of these will require more harmful chemicals Insect Tolerant Crops • Provide an effective tool for corn and cotton • Target insects are clearly controlled ü Non-target insects may be affected Extension

Environmental Benefits Of Biotech Crops NDSU Scare environmental resources saved • Reduced herbicide and pesticide usage which means • Reduced number of applications which means • Reduced usage (and dependence) on oil Farming systems better maintained • Planting herbicide resistant crops in untilled fields ü Reduces moisture loss ü Untilled soil helps prevent erosion Extension

What Would Lead to Acceptance of GMO Products? Significantly Lower Prices Norway (2003 study) Consumers would buy the product over non-GMO bread üIf the cost of GMO bread 49. 5% lower Japan (2004 study) Consumers would preferentially buy GMO-base product üIf the cost of GMO noodles was >50% lower Data quoted from: Ag. Bio. Forum (2004) 7: 70 -75 NDSU England (2001 study) Men: would pay 26% extra to avoid GMO technology Woman: would pay 49% extra to avoid GMO technology Extension

Other Attitudes Toward Biotechnology Developing Countries China • Will pay ü 16% premium for GM oil ü 38% premium for GMO rice ü 35% premium for processed GMO potato products Colombia • 66% would try GMO products • GMO products most favorable to those with limited access to high quality food NDSU Data quoted from: Ag. Bio. Forum (2004) 7: 70 -75 Extension

Why Are Attitudes Different? ? In these countries, • An urgent need for available, nutritious food of good quality exitsted • Individuals trusted their government • Science in general had a positive public opinion Data quoted from: Ag. Bio. Forum (2004) 7: 70 -75 NDSU These attitudes are opposite of those expressed in European public opinion pools. Extension

Crop Biotechnology Has Supporters Relevant Quotes NDSU “The agricultural scientists and farmers all over the world who improve our crops are the true heroes of our time. “ “We have not seen any evidence of these scenarios (“super weeds” and super bacteria”) even though we have been testing these GI crops for 20 years and they have been eaten by millions of people on a daily basis since 1996. ” “We believe that agriculture can be less ecologically damaging and more sustainable, and that GI crops can play a positive role in this development. ” Extension Martin Crispeels, Director, San Diego Center for Molecular Agriculture

Reasons to Adopt the Best Technologies for Crop Improvement Feeding People World population will double to 9 million by 2050 ü Feeding everyone will be important Liberal societies, like the US, believe ü It is our moral obligation to alleviate hunger NDSU Extension

Hunger: A Major Health Issue General Facts 25 -30 Million Children Are Underfed • Malnutrition is the cause of 54% of child mortality in developing African countries (WHO statistics) Other Effects of Malnutrition: • Stunted growth • Reduced mental development • Susceptibility to diseases • Blindness NDSU Extension

Hunger Is Also A Security Issue Hungry people are angry Angry people seek change Recent Example • Food was scare in early 1970 s in the former Eastern Bloc countries • Food strikes occurred in Poland in early 1970 s • Former Soviet Union forced to buy grain on the open market • Purchases seen as a failure of their economic system • These strikes created the first anti-Soviet dissident groups that lead to the fall of the Soviet Union in the late 1980 s. NDSU Extension

Organic Farming Is Not The Answer To World Hunger Organic Farming Rejects • Pesticides • Synthetic fertilizers • Herbicides And Accepts • Biological control of insects • Manure as a fertilizer • Mechanical (with tractors) removal of weeds NDSU Organic farming data from: “Foods from Genetically Improved Crops in Africa" Extension

How Much Can Organic Farming Produce? NDSU Organic Farming • Can feed about 3 billion people • But not the 10 billion projected for the future Why? • Biological control is not complete and yields reduced • Land must be set aside for animal production to produce manure fertilizer • Nutrients are extracted from the soil at a greater rate than they are returned • Crop rotations do not completely replenish nutrients to the soil Extension

Biotech Crops Producer vs. Consumer Products Producer-Friendly Biotech Crops Harvested product is not altered • Producer’s cost reduced • Examples: ü Herbicide resistance ü Insect resistance üVirus resistance NDSU Extension

Consumer Products On The Horizon Consumer-Friendly Biotech Crops Harvested product has added value to the consumer • Producer may receive a premium • Examples: ü Reduced food allergens ü Increased micronutrient content ü Increased N content of cereal crops ü Edible vaccines NDSU Extension

Essential Principles Guiding Policy Evaluation Principles Used for Public Decision Making General Welfare Institutions (public and private) work to protect citizen interests People’s Right The freedom to choose to use or not use biotech products Justice Burdens and benefits are shared by ALL involved NDSU Adopted from: Genetically Modified Crops: The Ethical and Social Issues Nuffeld Council on Bioethics Extension

How These Guiding Principles Apply to Biotechnology Products General Welfare • In a liberal society, our intuitions promote and protect the welfare of its citizens üTools of technology can promote and protect citizen welfare NDSU • But what are the costs (social and economic) associated with the adoption of technology products • What about biotechnology products? üAre the products (reduced chemical usage, improved nutrition) safe or hazardous? Extension

Society Tries to Balance Competing Concerns • Healthy people are valued • Abundant food supplies reduce hunger üThis promotes the general welfare of the society • But a diverse environment is also valued üAre the biotech products endangering the diversity? üShould reducing hunger or maintaining diversity be valued more? NDSU Extension

How These Guiding Principles Apply to Biotechnology Products People’s Rights Can the public choose NOT to come in contact with the products? How does this conflict with commercial concerns? What weight should each carry? NDSU Extension

Balancing Rights and Interests The Balance Between European Citizens and Commercial Interests • Many European want to avoid biotech foods ü This is their personal right • US producers and the government have resisted labeling ü It is viewed as a restraint to free trade • BUT without labeling, it is difficult for European’s exercise their right to avoid biotech foods NDSU Extension

Exercising Personal Rights: The Cost Issue The Financial Cost of Choice • Some choose to not eat biotech foods ü Labeling is necessary for those to exercise this choice • Labeling adds a cost to the producer ü The cost is passed on to the consumer NDSU • BUT consumers not concerned about biotech foods pay an additional cost ü Therefore the choice of one group is a burden on another group Extension

Exercising Personal Rights Obligations Choice and Obligation • In a biotech world, some may choose not to eat biotech products ü What if there is not an alternative? ü Is it their right to be able have a non-biotech alternative? • Should the producer community be obligated to produce a similar non-biotech product? ü If demand is great enough, that product will be produced. NDSU Extension

How These Guiding Principles Apply to Biotechnology Products Justice Issues • Do those benefiting from the products have an obligation to those who object to the products? • How can justice be achieved while balancing various interests? NDSU Extension

Can Justice For All Competing Interests Be Achieved? Opponents and Proponents Justice For Biotech Opponents • Should labeling be a requirement? Justice For New Biotech Companies • Is the market saturation of large biotech companies making it difficult for others to enter and succeed in the business? NDSU Extension

Other Biotech Justice Concerns Countries and Farmers Justice For Countries With Food Shortages • Should biotech opponents have the ability to deny the opportunity of countries with severe food shortages to become self-sufficient or even exporters? Justice For Subsistence Farmers • How will subsistence farmers who cannot afford the new technology be compensated? NDSU Extension