October is “Get to Know GMOs” Month

Cindy Zimmerman

gmo-answersGMO Answers has proclaimed October as “Get to Know GMOs” month to answer consumers’ most pressing questions about genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

“Since the launch of GMO Answers, we have answered over a thousand consumer questions about genetically modified foods—where they come from, how they’re used, and why they’re an important part of our food supply,” said Kate Hall, managing director of the Council for Biotechnology Information and GMO Answers spokesperson.

As part of Get to Know GMOs Month, GMO Answers conducted a nationwide survey to gather consumers’ top ten questions related to GMOs and then hit the streets of Washington, D.C. to engage directly with consumers about their pressing GMO questions. The video will be posted on GMOAnswers.com later this month.

“The video and results of this survey shed light on what’s top of mind for consumers as they think about GMOs, and also provides a roadmap for GMO Answers’ ongoing journey to increase consumers’ awareness of the facts about genetically modified foods,” said Hall.

The nationwide survey to gather consumers’ top ten questions related to GMOs was conducted by the Opinion Research Council (ORC). The top ten questions in order of consumer interest are:

Do GMOs cause cancer?
Are GMOs safe for human consumption?
How much of our food in the U.S. is genetically modified?
Do GMOs have an impact on the environment?
Have long-term health studies been conducted on GMO crops?
Do GMOs have an impact on allergies?
If livestock eat genetically modified grain, will there be GMOs in my meat?
Do GMOs have an impact on the price of food?
Do seed companies have an influence on whether farmers grow GMOs?
Do GMO crops have an impact on bees or butterflies?

Biotech, Food, GMO