GMO Answers Kicks Off Annual "Get To Know GMOs" Month

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- GMO Answers today kicked off its annual "Get to Know GMOs" month to answer consumers' most pressing questions about genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Throughout October, GMO Answers invites consumers to get to know GMOs and will post original content on its site across the month.

"Since the launch of GMO Answers, we have answered over a thousand consumer questions about genetically modified foods—where they come from, how they're used, and why they're an important part of our food supply. As the food landscape continues to evolve, consumers are becoming increasingly more thoughtful about the food choices they make for themselves and their families. As a result, we want to ensure we continue providing the public with the most transparent, factual and up-to-date information about GMOs," said Kate Hall, managing director of the Council for Biotechnology Information and GMO Answers spokesperson.

As part of Get to Know GMOs Month, GMO Answers conducted a nationwide survey to gather consumers' top ten questions related to GMOs (results below). Following the survey, GMO Answers hit the streets of Washington, D.C. to engage directly with consumers about their pressing GMO questions. The video will be posted on GMOAnswers.com later this month.

"The video and results of this survey shed light on what's top of mind for consumers as they think about GMOs, and also provides a roadmap for GMO Answers' ongoing journey to increase consumers' awareness of the facts about genetically modified foods. At GMO Answers, we're dedicated to helping consumers better understand GMOs, and we're excited to celebrate this year's Get To Know GMOs Month by sharing our new survey results, as well as answers to all of their questions at GMOAnswers.com," said Kate Hall.

The nationwide survey to gather consumers' top ten questions related to GMOs was conducted by the Opinion Research Council (ORC). The top ten questions in order of consumer interest are:

1. Do GMOs cause cancer?
2. Are GMOs safe for human consumption?
3. How much of our food in the U.S. is genetically modified?
4. Do GMOs have an impact on the environment?
5. Have long-term health studies been conducted on GMO crops?
6. Do GMOs have an impact on allergies?
7. If livestock eat genetically modified grain, will there be GMOs in my meat?
8. Do GMOs have an impact on the price of food?
9. Do seed companies have an influence on whether farmers grow GMOs?
10. Do GMO crops have an impact on bees or butterflies?

About GMO Answers
GMO Answers is committed to responding to your questions about how our food is grown. Our goal is to make information about agricultural biotechnology easier to access and evaluate. The members of GMO Answers commit to five core principles —welcoming and answering questions on all GMO topics; making GMO information, research and data easy to access and evaluate, and supporting safety testing of GM products, including allowing independent safety testing of our products through validated science-based methods; supporting farmers as they work to grow crops using precious resources more efficiently,  with less impact on the environment and producing safe, nutritious food and feed products; respecting farmers' rights to choose the seeds that are best for their farms, businesses and communities and providing seed choices that include non-GM seeds based on market demands; and respecting people around the world and their right to choose healthy food products that are best for themselves and their families. GMO Answers is produced by the members of The Council for Biotechnology Information, which includes BASF, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, DuPont, Monsanto Company and Syngenta. Our members are dedicated to the responsible development and application of plant biotechnology. Visit www.GMOAnswers.com.

SOURCE GMO Answers