Public concern, genetically engineered

Universities and other research institutions account for the majority of genetic engineering and food technology research and development. Therefore, they are well positioned to play a safety-assurance role as well as provide up-to-date information on technological advances and applications. While industry sponsorship raises some concerns, the public views academic institutions as a credible and trustworthy source of information. This being said, a more active effort to establish and maintain integrity and impartiality of research by these institutions is important. 

In ethical committees and public debates the emphasis is on the so-called extrinsic concerns the risks for human health, for animals and for the environment. Most methods of risk analysis look only at the consequences and the effects of genetic engineering within the framework of a utilitarian ethics (weighing costs and benefits). 

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