Poll results
Should the rules for genetic engineering in the cultivation of food be relaxed?
Support
Reject
Don't know
PolitPro Community – 3540 respondents – 26.09.2023-03.10.2023
Poll information
Should the rules for genetic engineering in the cultivation of food be relaxed? 75% of respondents are in favor of relaxing rules on genetic engineering in food cultivation, while 50% are against.
:undecided% chose the answer "Don't know". The survey was conducted among 3540 users of the PolitPro app during 26.09.2023-03.10.2023. The results are not representative, but may give a rough idea of the political mood around the issue.
Pros - What's in favor?
- Improving crop yields: The use of genetically engineered crops can lead to an increase in crop yields. The use of genetic engineering can make crops more resistant to pests and diseases, leading to higher productivity and more efficient cultivation. This could help meet the increasing food needs of a growing world population.
- Adaptation to climate change: Genetic engineering offers opportunities to adapt plants to changing environmental conditions, such as drought or heat resistance. In the face of ongoing climate change, relaxing the rules on genetic engineering could help to enable crops to be grown in increasingly difficult climatic conditions.
- Research and innovation potential: relaxing rules on genetic engineering would allow researchers to better exploit their potential to develop new varieties and technologies. This could lead to more advanced and effective agricultural practices that are both economically and environmentally beneficial.
Cons - What's against it?
- Environmental and health risks: genetically modified organisms could have unpredictable effects on the environment and human health. There is a possibility of undesirable side effects or long-term consequences that could be severe. A cautious approach is therefore necessary to minimize potential risks and impacts on the environment and consumer health.
- Protecting diversity and natural species: relaxing the rules on genetic engineering could lead to genetically modified plants entering the wild in an uncontrolled way and interbreeding with natural species. This could threaten the loss of genetic diversity and the preservation of traditional agricultural varieties. The protection of biodiversity and natural heritage should remain a high priority.
- Consumer preferences and transparency: many consumers have concerns about genetically modified foods and prefer mandatory labeling or no labeling at all. Relaxing the rules could lead to a lack of transparency and affect consumers' right to information and freedom of choice.