Perspectives on biotechnology: Public and corporate narratives in the GM archives

Societal Impact Statement The contentious debate over genetically modified (GM) crops in Britain has entered a new era following Brexit and the development of gene editing. At same time, events 1980s 1990s are now entering historical archives, including GM Archive at Science Museum London. This article explores how fears unnaturalness arguments from continuity informed British controversy. It also analyses limitations these modern archives. concerns surrounding naturalness biotechnology have recently been resurrected suggestions that editing will be employed plant breeding. Summary research examines introduction to Britain, backlash environmentalist groups public led de facto government moratorium on their commercialisation 1998. Harnessing archival materials Museum's Archive, this paper shows was viewed as an alien or unnatural technology while campaigns Monsanto scientific supporters attempted show recombinant DNA simply latest step long history By moving outside archive, it becomes clear creation narrative standard industry strategy. Appeals breeding strategy adopted by well before controversy, twentieth-century food scares had already undermined trust industry. Public concern remains. Meanwhile, contemporary advocates begun make similar those deployed 1990s, highlighting similarity natural variation selection.