Jack A Bobo

How do consumers interpret terms like "natural", "organic" and "healthy"; and what impact preferences for such products have on nutritional health and public policy?

A survey by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Pew Charitable Trust discovered a large discrepancy between what scientists think the state of scientific knowledge is about the causes of climate change and the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods. The survey found that 50% of US adults believe that humans are the cause of climate change, while 87% of scientists subscribe to that view. With respect to GM foods, 37% of adults believe the foods are generally… Show more

A survey by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Pew Charitable Trust discovered a large discrepancy between what scientists think the state of scientific knowledge is about the causes of climate change and the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods. The survey found that 50% of US adults believe that humans are the cause of climate change, while 87% of scientists subscribe to that view. With respect to GM foods, 37% of adults believe the foods are generally safe compared to 88% of scientists. That’s a 37% knowledge gap for the causes of climate change and a remarkable 51% gap for the safety of GM foods between scientists and the public. Show less

This article examines public attitudes towards science. For example, consumers in industrialized countries, particularly in Europe, but in other countries as well, remain skeptical about the safety of genetic engineering to their food. A survey by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Pew Charitable Trust in the U.S. discovered a large discrepancy between what scientists think the state of scientific knowledge is about the causes of climate change and the safety… Show more

This article examines public attitudes towards science. For example, consumers in industrialized countries, particularly in Europe, but in other countries as well, remain skeptical about the safety of genetic engineering to their food. A survey by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Pew Charitable Trust in the U.S. discovered a large discrepancy between what scientists think the state of scientific knowledge is about the causes of climate change and the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods. The survey found that 50% of U.S. adults believe that humans are the cause of climate change, while 87% of scientists subscribe to that view. With respect to GM foods, 37% of adults believe the foods are generally safe compared to 88% of scientists. That’s a 37% knowledge gap for the causes of climate change and a remarkable 51% gap for the safety of GM foods between scientists and the public. What do these results tell us about public attitudes towards science? Show less

In a hot, flat, hyper-connected world, public perception of risk may determine if agriculture will save the planet by 2050 or destroy it. Science and technology options may hold the key to solving the situation, but, if media experience with “pink slime” and raw milk are any indication, society may be in for a bumpy ride. This article examines global trends in food and agriculture, the interplay between food safety and public perceptions of risk, and the role of risk communication in addressing… Show more

In a hot, flat, hyper-connected world, public perception of risk may determine if agriculture will save the planet by 2050 or destroy it. Science and technology options may hold the key to solving the situation, but, if media experience with “pink slime” and raw milk are any indication, society may be in for a bumpy ride. This article examines global trends in food and agriculture, the interplay between food safety and public perceptions of risk, and the role of risk communication in addressing public perceptions. Show less

With the global population growing from seven to nine billion people by 2050, avoiding food waste would appear to be an easy way of feeding more people using resources already at hand. The relentless pursuit of efficiency by food manufacturers, which have greatly reduced food waste from all steps of food processing, has not always been appreciated by consumers and, in some cases, has been stigmatized by them. By reframing the conversation on food waste from one of quality or health to the frame… Show more

With the global population growing from seven to nine billion people by 2050, avoiding food waste would appear to be an easy way of feeding more people using resources already at hand. The relentless pursuit of efficiency by food manufacturers, which have greatly reduced food waste from all steps of food processing, has not always been appreciated by consumers and, in some cases, has been stigmatized by them. By reframing the conversation on food waste from one of quality or health to the frame of sustainability, public attitudes towards food scraps can be modified. This paper examines two case studies in which the public frame for the conversation determined public attitudes towards the effort to reduce food waste. These studies are discussed within the context of risk perception literature to better comprehend public perceptions, and how such perceptions might be successfully reframed to address food waste and sustainability. Show less

The report addresses issues ranging from gene discovery to the delivery of GM variety and livestock research products, bioinformatics, IP rights, policy, and capacity issues

With the global population expected to reach nine billion in less than 40 years, the sustainable production of agriculture will be increasingly on the minds of governments, private industry, and even many consumers. Not only do we have to increase the amount of food available, we have to find ways to minimize its footprint on the planet.

Co-authored book chapter with Roger Beachy - US international engagement in agricultural research and trade

World population is forecast to grow from 7 to 9 billion by 2050, one in six is already hungry and food production must increase by 70–100% if it is to feed this growing population. No single solution will solve this problem but recent developments in the genetic technologies of plant breeding can help to increase agricultural efficiencies and save people from hunger in a… Show more

Co-authored book chapter with Roger Beachy - US international engagement in agricultural research and trade

World population is forecast to grow from 7 to 9 billion by 2050, one in six is already hungry and food production must increase by 70–100% if it is to feed this growing population. No single solution will solve this problem but recent developments in the genetic technologies of plant breeding can help to increase agricultural efficiencies and save people from hunger in a sustainable manner, particularly in African nations where the need is greatest. These advances can rapidly incorporate new traits and tailor existing crops to meet new requirements and also greatly reduce the time and costs taken to improve local crop varieties. This book provides a collected, reliable, succinct review which deals expressly with the successful implementation of the new plant genetic sciences in emerging economies in the context of the interrelated key regulatory, social, ethical, political and trade matters. Show less

Jack Bobo's vivid and inspirational lunch keynote addressed how "Global Megatrends Inform our Future," stating that despite the benefits and safety record of new food crops, educational efforts and dialogue need to increase with consumers and policy makers to ensure that biotech crops and products reach markets and continue to contribute to the resolution of global hunger, health and energy crises.

Presentation at: 2012 Idaho Law Review Symposium
Genetically Modified Organisms: Law & the Global Market

In May 2011, the Thirty-ninth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) completed the Compilation of Codex Texts Rele-vant to Labelling of Foods Derived from Modern Biotechnology (Compi-lation).1 The objective of the CCFL is to develop labeling guidance to enhance consumer protection and facilitate trade. The questions of if, when, and how to label foods derived from modern biotechnology, also referred to as genetically engineered (GE) or biotech foods, have been under discussion… Show more

In May 2011, the Thirty-ninth Session of the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) completed the Compilation of Codex Texts Rele-vant to Labelling of Foods Derived from Modern Biotechnology (Compi-lation).1 The objective of the CCFL is to develop labeling guidance to enhance consumer protection and facilitate trade. The questions of if, when, and how to label foods derived from modern biotechnology, also referred to as genetically engineered (GE) or biotech foods, have been under discussion in the CCFL for nearly two decades. The Codex Ali-mentarius Commission adopted the Compilation in July 2011. This pa-per summarizes the CCFL’s development of the Compilation, considers the meaning of the document to global biotechnology labeling policy, and discusses the document in the context of the World Trade Organization's Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. Show less

This Article discusses how international agreements impact the ability of science and technology to enhance food security. International agreements, domestic laws, and regulations have the power to promote scientific research and the adoption of new technology through effective, efficient, and predictable sciencebased regulatory systems, or to impede development and adoption of new technology by miring it in burdensome or unnecessary regulations. This Article examines the disparate impacts… Show more

This Article discusses how international agreements impact the ability of science and technology to enhance food security. International agreements, domestic laws, and regulations have the power to promote scientific research and the adoption of new technology through effective, efficient, and predictable sciencebased regulatory systems, or to impede development and adoption of new technology by miring it in burdensome or unnecessary regulations. This Article examines the disparate impacts of international agreements on food security through a case study of agricultural biotechnology. In particular, the Article looks at the principles and guidelines for risk assessment
developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Article concludes that agreements related to biosafety and sustainable development may have impacts beyond their stated objectives that can negatively impact efforts to achieve food security. By ensuring that a wider range of interests are considered in the development of these agreements, the final agreements will better reflect the economic and social realities of all the parties. Show less