Millennials are not particularly concerned about eating GM-based foods, which can be a show of positive reception towards a more technologically-inclined European Union post-Brexit. In fact, two-thirds of individuals under 30-years of age believe improving farming with technological advancements is good, and are willing to support farming techniques that are futuristic for the industry.
This assessment is courtesy of a survey that sought to evaluate the perception of millennials and their older counterparts towards GM-based foods. Aside from older generations, only a fifth of millennials interviewed by the survey showed concerns about the technology, especially after decades of media warnings and oppositions towards the effects of genetically-modified or gene-edited crops.
The poll in question interviewed more than 1,600 individuals from 18 to 30 years old, and was conducted for the Agricultural Biotechnology Council (ABC). Additional data from the survey includes the affirmation of millennials towards the use of drones in spraying, monitoring, and assessing crops in arable farming areas, and using drones in things such as counting sheep.
The research can greatly help other departments in the region that seek public consultation on plans involving agriculture and the environment. For instance, Environment Secretary Michael Gove himself has proposals that seek to implement the usage of next-generation farming and food technology so diseases and pests can be reduced in crops. The ABC has also urged the government to use the agricultural policy reset and Brexit in order to utilize ground-breaking technologies that the European Union has previously blocked.
GM-based Foods, Crops: The Score
GM-based foods or GM crops are genetically-modified crops. This means they are plants with modified DNA that allowed scientists to insert into their genes special traits that can improve various aspects of said crops, including resiliency and the ability to withstand insects or droughts. With gene-editing technology, scientists are now able to “cut and paste” genes from organisms that can potentially benefit plants.
In Britain, there’s no such thing as a commercial way of growing GMs yet, though there have been tests on GM-based wheat and potatoes. In fact, a Norwich-based trial saw the formation of developing blight-resistant potatoes. There are however GM-based ingredients in the market, such as oilseed rape and soy, though EU law mandates these products be labelled first.
Unfortunately, some campaigners find it disruptive to modify the natural DNA of plants. Given the alteration of its natural “growth,” modifying the plants on a genetic level could lead to extremely dangerous repercussions to health that are yet to be identified. This could be similar to the plant being registered by the body as an invasive alien species, which may even affect the entire planet’s ecosystem.
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