Genetically modified abominations? Widespread opposition to GMOs might have deep-seated cultural causes.

• Opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is a widespread phenomenon, yet its basis is still not entirely clear. While it is usually attributed to irrational fears and political issues, it might have a deep-seated cultural causes. Exploration of the “anti – GMO” discourse reveals multiple similarities between the way genetic modifications are described by their opponents and the way impurity is depicted in ethnological theory of taboo. Those include “dirtiness”, “infectivity” and “trespassing boundaries”. Cultural identification of GMO with “impurity” and “taboo” partly explains the people’s hostility – and is an example of how new scientific achievements are assimilated by traditional cultural schemes.

Ämnesord

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Bioteknologi med applikationer på växter och djur -- Växtbioteknologi (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agricultural Biotechnology -- Plant Biotechnology (hsv//eng)

HUMANIORA  -- Annan humaniora -- Etnologi (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Other Humanities -- Ethnology (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Övrig annan samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Biotechnology

Crops

Agricultural

genetics

Genetic Techniques

Humans

Organisms

Genetically Modified

Plants

Genetically Modified

Public Opinion

GMO

Genetically Modified Organism

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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