The Washington Post contains an article on a recent survey by Oklahoma State University where over 80 percent of Americans support “mandatory labels on foods containing DNA,”
The Oklahoma State survey result is probably an example of the intersection between scientific ignorance and political ignorance, both of which are widespread.The most obvious explanation for the data is that most of these people don’t really understand what DNA is, and don’t realize that it is contained in almost all food. When they read that a strange substance called “DNA” might be included in their food, they might suspect that this is some dangerous chemical inserted by greedy corporations for their own nefarious purposes.
The article discusses the wider issue of scientific ignorance driving policy decisions, and there is some further comment at io9. A summary of the full survey results is available (PDF).
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 23 2015, @09:37PM
What if it is treated with radiation or a mutagen to attain a desired phenotype?
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Saturday January 24 2015, @01:17AM
Are you counting seedless watermelons?
Seedless watermelons are created by chemical treatments early in the generation of the individual plant (or fruit, I don't know the details, but it's not genetic, unlike navel oranges).
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday January 24 2015, @03:19AM
No they're not. Seedless watermelons are "mules": http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/newsletters/hortupdate/hortupdate_archives/2000/may00/h5may00.html [tamu.edu]