b'Bad information runs wild and has an effect on publicIn the case of the COVID vaccine, the folks who have health. There actually is an industry that has emerged tobeen working against our messaging have relied on the denigrate the science of genetic engineering as it appliesmessaging of fear, to add that emotional overlay to this to vaccines and to crops. These folks are making a lot ofdiscussion on vaccines, and thats had catastrophic effects. money by misinforming people through social media andWe know that many people remain unvaccinated. That eroding trust, thereby is causing problems when accept- means we need to be countering these messages in spe-ance of good technology and food, which is even morecific ways, he adds.harmful in a pandemic, Folta says. While food and medicine are different in many peo-Smyth says he believes things are improving in theples minds, DePauw is hopeful more people are becom-public arena, despite the challenges that remain. ing increasingly knowledgeable about biotech and relating Mainstream media has contributed to anti-biotechit to both. At the same time, he says its critical to under-sentiment in recent years, but I think theyre starting tostand why people dont want to be vaccinated.realize that they have been part of the problem. By com- Ive been trying to better understand people who are municating more about the role of biotechnology and thevaccine hesitant or anti-vaccine and understand their par-safety and efficacy of vaccines, Im hopeful that theyllticular point of view, so that when I have a conversation understand that as responsible broadcasters, if theyrewith somebody about the use of biotechnology products, trusting the science behind vaccine efficacy, then its theI can better understand where theyre coming from, and same science that goes into producing innovative foodthen have a discussion around common good and protec-products, Smyth says. tion of our loved ones. The media will be somewhat hypocritical if they continue to support COVID vaccines, but still campaign against genetically modified or genome edited food products.Folta says its key to do more to relate medicine andCheck out our Seed Speaks videofood in the public consciousness if the conversation is tointerview on this very topic! take a positive turn. germination.ca/are-vaccines-calming-fears-over-biotech-236GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2021'