This thesis addresses the puzzle of variation in first-generation regulatory policies for controversial science and technology, as demonstrated in the cases of agricultural genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and human embryonic stem cell research in the United Kingdom and the United States. Why did policy outcomes vary in each technology case? This study answers this question by placing greater emphasis on institutional factors. Although works within institutional analysis, bureaucracy and regulation literatures make significant progress in revealing how existing institutions can shape outcomes, how far one can characterize bureaucratic behavior and whether interest groups capture regulation, they nevertheless create an opening for research that: describes a mechanism for path dependence to explain variation in policies; shows the degree to which bureaucratic behaviors can influence outcomes; and, highlights instances in which regulatory officials hold power. This thesis makes an original contribution by providing new historical details relating to these cases, and by providing an extensive elaboration of Pierson’s criteria for increasing returns and a so-called secondary test of path dependence to explain outcomes. The study recounts the biography of key policy documents in each case by tracing the process of decision-making through government and archival sources, secondary literature and more than 40 elite interviews. In doing so, it details the activities of key governmental bodies within the European Union, UK and US. Moreover, it shows how the Coordinated Framework (1986) and Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 framework represented decision-making structures which triggered changes in actors and interests and shaped permissive outcomes for GMOs and stem cell research in the US and UK, respectively. Furthermore, lack of comparable structures may help account for restrictive policies for GMOs in Europe and the UK, and for stem cell research in the US.

Cotton makes up a majority of the world’s fiber market, with genetically engineered (GE) cotton the current staple of the US agricultural landscape. With GE cotton’s overall acceptance for US farmers and manufacturers, it is of concern that the majority of literature concerning GE crops primarily compares negative attitudes towards GE food crops in stricter economies such as the European Union. Due to the inadequate literature regarding both the market advantages and consumer perceptions of GE cotton specifically, this study was conceived to provide marketers with a baseline analysis of the factors that affect US consumers’ current attitudes (knowledge, risk perceptions, etc.) regarding GE cotton. Multiple regression analyses were used for our models which measured purchase intentions towards GE cotton and perceived risks of GE cotton based on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Paired and single t-tests were performed to predict the current positioning of GE cotton as a marketable alternative to organic and conventional cotton, and to determine which institutions consumer’s trust most for information on the risks and benefits of GE cotton. Our studies showed that while knowledge of cotton and agriculture is low, GE cotton was regarded more positively than conventional cotton with the potential to improve in consumer’s opinions. According to our findings, by efficiently communicating the benefits of GE cotton through trusted channels of communication (i.e. scientists, consumer organizations, the media), particularly addressing ethical concerns, policy regulation, and how the product is useful to the consumer individually, GE cotton could become a comparative market alternative to organic, at a greater available supply. / text

Darbo tikslas: Įvertinti KTU Cheminės technologijos fakulteto studentų žinias ir požiūrį apie genetiškai modifikuotą maistą, jo ženklinimą. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Nustatyti KTU Cheminės technologijos fakulteto studentų informavimo šaltinius apie genetiškai modifikuotą maistą ir jo ženklinimą. 2. Ištirti KTU Cheminės technologijos fakulteto studentų žinias ir požiūrį apie genetiškai modifikuotą maistą ir jo ženklinimą. 3. Parengti rekomendacijas siekiant pagerinti genetiškai modifikuoto maisto ir jo ženklinimo informuotumą. Tyrimo metodika: Tyrimo objektas: Žinios ir požiūris apie genetiškai modifikuotą maistą ir jo ženklinimą. Tyrimo metodai: Mokslinės literatūros analizė, teisinių dokumentų analizė, anketinė apklausa. Tyrimo metu buvo išplatinta 120, atsako dažnis - 80,83 proc. Statistinės analizės metodai: Apklausos rezultatai buvo analizuojami naudojant Microsoft office Excel 2007 ir kompiuterinį SPSS 13.0 versijos statistinį duomenų analizės paketą. Statistinis duomenų reikšmingumas buvo tikrinamas pagal chi kvadrato kriterijų ir laisvės laipsnių skaičių. Požymius analizuojant kito rodiklio atžvilgiu skirtumai laikyti statistiškai reikšmingais, kai reikšmingumo lygmuo p<0,05. Rezultatai: Dauguma respondentų dažniausiai gauna informaciją apie genetiškai modifikuotą maistą ir jo ženklinimą internete (15,5 proc. moterų ir 11,3 proc. vyrų), 30,9 proc. moterų ir 35,1 proc. vyrų žino šiek tiek, tačiau norėtų būti daugiau informuojamas,-a. Didžioji dalis apklaustųjų mano, jog... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim of study: to evaluate student‘s knowledge and attitude to genetically modified food and its labeling in KTU faculty of chemical technology. Objectives: 1. To survey the repositories of genetically modified food and his labeling. 2. To survey the knowledge and attitude to genetically modified food and its labeling. 3. To prepare recomendations to increase privity of genetically modified food and its labeling. Methods: Object of the research - knowledge and attitude to genetically modified food and its labeling. The questionnaire was compiled after making an analysis of the latest Lithuanian and foreign scientific literature and legislation. There were totally 120 students of KTU faculty of chemical tecnology interviewed using the anonymous questionnaire (response rate 80,83 percentage). Data analysis was performed using the statistical data analysis package SPSS (version 13.00) (the chi-squared test, df) and Microsoft office Excel 2007. Differences between the indices were considered statistically significant for p-values less than 0.05. Results: The most of respondents get information about genetically modified food and its labeling commonly in internet (15.5 percentage women and 11.3 percentage men), 30.9 percentage women and 35.1 men know a little bit, but they want to get more information. In addition to this, respondents think, that genetically modified food is harmful (33.7 percentage women and 32.3 percentage men) because of lack information about its safety (33.6... [to full text]

Universiẗat, Diss., 2003--Freiburg. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [429]-454) and index.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Os panoramas social e ambiental estão intimamente relacionados, o que atrai a perspectiva socioambiental. Assim, as interferências nas condições de vida da população proporcionadas pela biotecnologia são compreendidas na proteção ao meio ambiente. A comercialização de organismos geneticamente modificados em alimentos gera muito debate doutrinário e científico na atualidade. No entanto, já é possível revelar alguns mitos e efetivar algumas constatações acerca do tema. Os mitos trazem as promessas de buscar saciar a fome através do aumento da produção com a utilização da biotecnologia na área alimentar, bem como a prioridade na produção de alimentos com propriedades benéficas para a saúde da população. As constatações esbarram em alguns episódios negativos envolvendo a utilização de organismos geneticamente modificados e, também, no forte domínio de grandes corporações, que estão ditando as regras do desenvolvimento biotecnológico. Diante deste quadro, na comercialização dos alimentos, a disponibilização de informações através da rotulagem ganha destaque, sendo importante analisar o tratamento legal que vem sendo dado no âmbito interno, na União Européia, sob a perspectiva dos Estados Unidos e do Codex Alimentarius. Diante do contexto legal, resta claro que ainda existem diversas polêmicas e que a disponibilização de informações ainda encontra alguns desafios, em especial, na fiscalização da rotulagem e na conciliação da informação com a diversidade cultural. Para que a informação tenha plena concretização deve estar inter-relacionada com a educação e a participação dos atores envolvidos. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-06-02T19:26:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Patricia Maria Schneider.pdf: 760958 bytes, checksum: a2b8997a6ff8084e112826104e2cbf4a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-02T19:26:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Patricia Maria Schneider.pdf: 760958 bytes, checksum: a2b8997a6ff8084e112826104e2cbf4a (MD5) / The social and environmental views are closely related, which attracts the socioenvironmental perspective. All artifacts in the living conditions of the population is comprised of biotechnology in environmental protection. The commercialization of genetically modified organisms in food generates much debate and scientific doctrine today. However, it is possible to draw some myths and commit some observations on the subject. Myths bring the promises of seeking satisfying hunger by increasing production with the use of biotechnology in the food, as well as the priority in food production with properties beneficial to health. The findings run into some negative episodes involving the use of genetically modified organisms and also strong in the domain of large corporations that are dictating the rules of biotechnology development. This picture, in the marketing of food, the availability of information through labeling is emphasized, it is important to consider the legal treatment that has been given at the domestic, European Union, from the perspective of the United States and the Codex Alimentarius. Given the legal context, it remains clear that there are still many controversies and the availability of information is still some challenges, particularly in reviewing the labeling and reconciliation of information about cultural diversity. For information to have full effect should be inter-related education and participation of stakeholders.

Os panoramas social e ambiental estão intimamente relacionados, o que atrai a perspectiva socioambiental. Assim, as interferências nas condições de vida da população proporcionadas pela biotecnologia são compreendidas na proteção ao meio ambiente. A comercialização de organismos geneticamente modificados em alimentos gera muito debate doutrinário e científico na atualidade. No entanto, já é possível revelar alguns mitos e efetivar algumas constatações acerca do tema. Os mitos trazem as promessas de buscar saciar a fome através do aumento da produção com a utilização da biotecnologia na área alimentar, bem como a prioridade na produção de alimentos com propriedades benéficas para a saúde da população. As constatações esbarram em alguns episódios negativos envolvendo a utilização de organismos geneticamente modificados e, também, no forte domínio de grandes corporações, que estão ditando as regras do desenvolvimento biotecnológico. Diante deste quadro, na comercialização dos alimentos, a disponibilização de informações através da rotulagem ganha destaque, sendo importante analisar o tratamento legal que vem sendo dado no âmbito interno, na União Européia, sob a perspectiva dos Estados Unidos e do Codex Alimentarius. Diante do contexto legal, resta claro que ainda existem diversas polêmicas e que a disponibilização de informações ainda encontra alguns desafios, em especial, na fiscalização da rotulagem e na conciliação da informação com a diversidade cultural. Para que a informação tenha plena concretização deve estar inter-relacionada com a educação e a participação dos atores envolvidos. / The social and environmental views are closely related, which attracts the socioenvironmental perspective. All artifacts in the living conditions of the population is comprised of biotechnology in environmental protection. The commercialization of genetically modified organisms in food generates much debate and scientific doctrine today. However, it is possible to draw some myths and commit some observations on the subject. Myths bring the promises of seeking satisfying hunger by increasing production with the use of biotechnology in the food, as well as the priority in food production with properties beneficial to health. The findings run into some negative episodes involving the use of genetically modified organisms and also strong in the domain of large corporations that are dictating the rules of biotechnology development. This picture, in the marketing of food, the availability of information through labeling is emphasized, it is important to consider the legal treatment that has been given at the domestic, European Union, from the perspective of the United States and the Codex Alimentarius. Given the legal context, it remains clear that there are still many controversies and the availability of information is still some challenges, particularly in reviewing the labeling and reconciliation of information about cultural diversity. For information to have full effect should be inter-related education and participation of stakeholders.

Genetically modified (GM) crops were introduced in South Africa in 1989 and commercially available by 1998. Legislation to control the use of GM crops was only implemented in 1999, with the genetically modified organisms (GMO) act (15 of 1999). In 2012 2.9 million ha of GM crops were planted in South Africa alone. GM Crops, such as Bt maize, are promoted as safer for the environment since no chemical pesticides are needed. However, recently GM crops have been making headlines as more and more studies find adverse effects of these crops on non-target organisms. The effects on aquatic environments have not yet been fully determined, even though traces of Bt residue have been found in water systems surrounding agricultural lands. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of the Bt toxin on fecundity, development and growth of Bulinus tropicus, a freshwater snail. The experiment made use of a static renewal tests to expose B. tropicus to 50 cm2 Bt maize and cotton leaves in 900 ml of synthetic freshwater. The snails were exposed for the duration of one full life cycle (embryo to adult). Endpoints measured included the development, growth, fecundity, and deformities of the reproductive organs. The results obtained showed retarded development and low embryo survival when the snails were exposed to cotton leaves, irrespective of the presence or absence of Bt, indicating to the possibility of trace residues of chemical pesticides may have been present on the leaves. Initial stimulated growth of hatchlings was observed for both Bt cotton and maize exposures, but after sexual maturity has been reached, ‘surplus’ energy was probably shared between growth and fecundity, resulting in a reduction of growth rate. Energy is gained from their diet, thus a sub-optimal diet would result in less energy available to functions such as growth and fecundity. Signs of developmental instability were found in the formation of the shell opening of the snails exposed to Bt. Fecundity decreased significantly after snails had been exposed to Bt maize / cotton leaves. No differences were found in the penis sheath-preputium length ratio, indicating that Bt had no deleterious effects on the reproductive organs. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Genetically modified (GM) crops were introduced in South Africa in 1989 and commercially available by 1998. Legislation to control the use of GM crops was only implemented in 1999, with the genetically modified organisms (GMO) act (15 of 1999). In 2012 2.9 million ha of GM crops were planted in South Africa alone. GM Crops, such as Bt maize, are promoted as safer for the environment since no chemical pesticides are needed. However, recently GM crops have been making headlines as more and more studies find adverse effects of these crops on non-target organisms. The effects on aquatic environments have not yet been fully determined, even though traces of Bt residue have been found in water systems surrounding agricultural lands. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of the Bt toxin on fecundity, development and growth of Bulinus tropicus, a freshwater snail. The experiment made use of a static renewal tests to expose B. tropicus to 50 cm2 Bt maize and cotton leaves in 900 ml of synthetic freshwater. The snails were exposed for the duration of one full life cycle (embryo to adult). Endpoints measured included the development, growth, fecundity, and deformities of the reproductive organs. The results obtained showed retarded development and low embryo survival when the snails were exposed to cotton leaves, irrespective of the presence or absence of Bt, indicating to the possibility of trace residues of chemical pesticides may have been present on the leaves. Initial stimulated growth of hatchlings was observed for both Bt cotton and maize exposures, but after sexual maturity has been reached, ‘surplus’ energy was probably shared between growth and fecundity, resulting in a reduction of growth rate. Energy is gained from their diet, thus a sub-optimal diet would result in less energy available to functions such as growth and fecundity. Signs of developmental instability were found in the formation of the shell opening of the snails exposed to Bt. Fecundity decreased significantly after snails had been exposed to Bt maize / cotton leaves. No differences were found in the penis sheath-preputium length ratio, indicating that Bt had no deleterious effects on the reproductive organs. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The global fish population is declining. Aquaculture production is saturated and the global fish stock is operating at an unsustainable level. Genetically modified (GM) fish is a potential solution to relieve the natural fish stock, if the FDA grants the approval. The global fish population is harmed by environmental conditions and the inability for fish to adapt to changing conditions and human interactions. Genetic modification is a growing technology that has the ability to alleviate the fishing industry by modifying fish to grow faster, be disease tolerant, eat plant-based food, and be more nutritious. However, the approval process has been halted by complications in the approval process and government leaders responding to public fears and concerns of the safety of genetically modified fish. This thesis reviews the background of the fishing industry, concerns over GMOs, and analyzes the politics preventing the approval of GM fish. Lastly, this thesis recommends six approaches the FDA should mandate to reassure the public of the safety of GM fish.