Centre for Rural Economy

Current

PEGASUS ‘Public Perception of Genetically modified Animals - Science, Utility and Society’

The objective of PEGASUS was to identify the pros and cons for future policy regarding GM animals, together with the foods and pharmaceutical products derived from them. The aim of PEGASUS was:

These outcomes would contribute to and inform the EU’s current work to further development the Knowledge Based Bio Economy (KBBE) and contribute to obtainment of its strategic objectives.

The specific aims of the PEGASUS project were: 

The PEGASUS project was delivered through 8 interrelated work packages:

1. Public perception of transgenic animals and food

2. Foresight of genetic modification animal technology developments

3. Production chain context

4. Life science dimension

5. Ethical Issues: Analysis of stakeholders positions and ethical judgments

6. Policy implementation and development

7. Public engagement

8. Management

Professor Lynn Frewer (Food and Society Group, CRE/AFRD) was responsible for the overall coordination of the PEGASUS project and was leader of work package one ‘Public perception of transgenic animals and food’. Work package one focused on the creation of an inventory and data base of existing knowledge on the public perception of GM animals.

The overall objective of this work package was to integrate national and European data on consumer perceptions associated with genetic modification of animals (both aquatic and terrestrial species) and food derived from them, in order to:

· provide greater insight into public perceptions of GM animals

· identify emerging issues that need to be addressed in further studies.