The analysis of articles in Slovenian television and print media that published more than five articles about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in 2009 and 2010 reveals a predominant negative attitude to GMOs. The media mainly cited non-government environmental organisations and Slovenian politics as sources. GMOs were mostly addressed as a whole, while GM animals were the least discussed group of GMOs. Environmental risks were discussed as a key topic, with a special emphasis on scientific uncertainty and reduced biodiversity, followed by political risks where the lack of an adequate control framework in the EU prevails. Among the benefits of GMOs the environmental aspect is the most noted, in particular reduced pollution. The analysis of individual sources showed that most of them discussed the risks, most frequently non-government environmental organisations, Slovenian politics and members of agricultural organisations.
COBISS.SI-ID: 30786141
A critical discourse analysis of news about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) published in 2010 by the Slovenian media showed that two contradicting discourses were offered to the audience. The anti-GMO discourse refers to scientific uncertainty, the non-transparent influence of multinational companies and the destruction of biological diversity as the reasons against the introduction of GMOs; it is based on the social-democratic ideological culture. The pro-GMO discourse cites the reduced consumption of chemicals in agriculture and less environmental pollution, economic advantage and individual choice as the reasons in favour of introducing GMOs; it is based on the neoliberal ideology. The media mainly published the views of non-governmental environmental organisations, politicians, farmers and scientists in the fields of biology and ecological agriculture who were critical of GMOs.
COBISS.SI-ID: 30786397
According to the European Commissionʼs proposed regulation from 2010, European Union member states can also restrict or prohibit the cultivation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their territory on the basis of the socio-economic factors of the impact of GMOs. The paper presents reference approaches to designing and arguing the socio-economic impact of GMOs and reveals significant variation between them. An agreement on a comprehensive, empirically supported and mutually acceptable set of factors that would allow integration into the EUʼs regulatory framework has not yet been achieved. Slovenia is stepping into the process of designing relevant socioeconomic factors with negative public attitudes to the cultivation of GMOs, related restrictive legislation, and the natural and structural characteristics of agriculture which at the outset restrict the possibility to grow GMOs. In the paper, we propose a set of seven socio-economic factors which reflect specific characteristics of the Slovenian agricultural and social environment, and which could serve as a platform for public debate on this issue.
COBISS.SI-ID: 30786653