Social Movement Organizations' Reactions to Genetic Engineering in Agriculture

Abstract

Numerous social movement organizations are actively opposing genetic engineering in agriculture. This article looks at a coalition of movement groups opposing biotechnology and (b) the leading U.S. advocacy groups to determine the breadth of movement resistance. Movements resisting genetic engineering are acting consistently with their previous positions on issues, indicating a high degree of narrative fidelity between belief and action. Furthermore, genetic engineering in agriculture touches on the core concerns of many different types of movements: protecting human health, protecting the environment, and the dangers of monopoly capital controlling a public good such as food. Finally, movement organizations are actively including the core concerns of other types of movements, suggesting the possibility of increased cooperation among different movements.