The Psychological And Sociological Effects Of GMO

CHARLES R. JURDEN, JR.

Excerpt from a group report.

The Psychological and Sociological Effects of GMO

What are sociological effects? They are the effects that people have on each other. It includes religious affiliations, the class in society we occupy, the laws of the land, and even sexuality. Interesting elements of the sociological study details the family and community structure, and the social culture of a group is developed through it. Race and religion are structured to reciprocate acceptance, and outsiders are commonly shunned.

These types of attitudes foster action, and are the basis for choices. With new technological avenues that open the doors for social networking an open channel for constant communication. This in turn affects people’s perceptions about other new technologies like GMOs, the elemental fundamental of sociology being people believe what they are told.

What are psychological effects, and how do they affect our choices in considering the use and development of GMOs? Psychology is the study of the mental functions of people and their

They are generally seen in a negative light. Most studies show that with them the first reaction is that they have an unnatural taste, they are unhealthy, and far less likely to be accepted - though studies did show that if a product was already naturally modified (like fast food) then the GMO equivalent was more easily accepted. This negative halo of GMO actually impacts the way we evaluate their risks and benefits. Psychologist Paul Slovic, while studying the risk perceptions that “when it comes to new, unknown technologies, data always loses out to emotion…and conclusions (are) not backed up by data and is at odds with the advice of most risk experts,” and that “when we’re in a state of heightened emotion, we don’t weigh risks and benefits equally—risks take on an outsized impact and benefits begin to pale in comparison.” (Akumo & Riedel,