Perception of GMOs by scientists and practitioners – the critical role of information flow about transgenic organisms

•We used triangulation to examine perception of GMOs.•The flow of information on GMOs is ineffective in Poland.•A key factor influencing perception of GMOs is distrust of public institutions.

The issue of GMOs arouses constantly strong emotions in public discourse. At the same time opinions of people particularly interested in this issues such as researchers, or potential users of this technology (e.g. farmers) are rarely subjected to analysis. Moreover, lack of knowledge about the flow of information “from the laboratory to the consumer” hinders implementation of any changes in this field. By using triangulation (combining quantitative and qualitative research and the use of various research tools) we explored the attitudes of Polish scientists, agricultural advisers and farmers (large scale agricultural producers) to the use of GMOs in the economy. On the basis of the performed research we diagnosed the effectiveness of information flow among these groups about transgenic organisms.