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Academic and Industry Interview Questions

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Basics:

• Different countries, scientific groups and companies’ definition of GMOs vary. What defines GMOs on a scientific level? What defines GMOs on a legal level?
• What might be bigger barrier to having a GMO product accepted by the public?

Safety:

• Are there dangers associated with GMOs? If so, what are these dangers?
• If GMOs need trial rounds to prove their harmful or harmlessness, would it be worth investing in testing them? Why or why not?

Social Impact and Public Perception:

• Are there actual harms associated with GMOs or is there a disconnect between public perception and the real science?
• Is there a legacy or history that influences the perception on GMOs?
• How would the public view GMO produce as opposed to GMO dairy products? How?
• How does the idea of Genetically Modified bacteria differ than that of other GMOs (example. Crops) in the public’s opinion?

Ecological and Economical:

• Is there a capacity for GMO food products to become the most sustainable food source?
• What role does or will GMOs have in developing food and nutrition issues around the world?
• How would GMOs affect the industry? For example by minimizing work for farmers etc?
• Would GMOs help harvesting in more extreme climates and minimize shipping times and costs as a result?

Legal and Moral:

• Have the policies and regulations kept up with current practices with regards to GMOs?
• Some argue that we do not currently know enough about GMOs to determine if they are safe and we should therefore assume that they are harmful. Is this a valid argument?
• Are we ethically obligated to inform the public if and how the products they’re buying was genetically modified?

Would you consider using GMOs if:

• The price of GMO food products was lower than that of non-GMO food products?
• GM foods have less ecological impact? (For example not using animals as the meat source)
• We produced food from waste streams including wood and pulp?
• GMOs could replace pesticides and antibiotics?
• Genetically Modified foods tasted better than organic foods?
• GMOs have medical benefits?