Consumer Perspectives of GM Salmon

Janet Grice

Angela MacKenzie

Carmen McLeod

Traditional View of Salmon

New Zealand King Salmon

• Processing ~ 5000 tonnes of salmon p.a.

• 70% of NZ farmed salmon

• 40% of world production

• Guarantee no antibiotics, growth stimulants, Drugs or toxic substances added

New Zealand King Salmon

• 1994 – research GM fish • 1999 – Green Party leaked document about

deformities• “Frankenfish”• Local Opposition• 2000 – Salmon trials closed• Denied closure due to political, ethical or

scientific influence• Negative publicity jeopardised the image of

NZKS

Consumer Perceptions

• Series of focus groups conducted in November 2006

• Perceptions of NZ Royal Commission

• Perceptions of GM in general

• Perceptions of GM salmon

Perceptions of NZ Royal Commission

• Most participants were unaware of the Royal Commission

• Those who were aware considered it to be a ‘whitewash’ producing the results that industry wanted

Perceptions of GM in general

• General acceptance of the technology

• Concerns about environmental safety

• Concerns about benefits to consumers

• Concerns about ownership of technology

• Concerns about food safety

• Acceptance of medical applications of the technology

Perceptions of GM salmon

• Fast growing salmon seen as a benefit only to companies

• Concerns that growing at twice the rate will require twice the food

• Concerns about increases in Omega oils – can the body utilize them?

• Reluctance to eat the resulting food products

Conclusion

• Sense of inevitability of introduction of GM food

• Queries regarding the motives of companies introducing the technology

• Queries regarding the necessity of the technology

• Consider that a more holistic viewpoint should be taken on problems