Apropriação de conhecimentos científicos: uma abordagem aos alimentos transgênicos

Abstract

The approach to Transgenic Foods (TF) has acquired great importance in contemporary society, presenting itself as a subject much debated and controversial. These discussions occur primarily in the fields: environmental health, economics and ethics, among others. This research presents the scope of scientific knowledge of students in a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences about TF. We feel the need to understand "What the scientific students of the Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará mobilize in relation to TF?" And, given such knowledge "How stand when asked to decision making?" This is a qualitative study conducted in the period comprised from may to august 2011, at the premises of the Institute of Education Math and Science, Federal University of Pará, through the development of the Extension Course: "Socio-scientific controversies in Science Teaching," with the TF issue. To survey the knowledge of students, we developed a questionnaire form in which we contemplate also a question calling for decision making in relation to the subject. Data on knowledge of the students were organized and analyzed through the construction of "Matrix of Comparative Cognition". In our evaluation, most subjects of this study provides relevant knowledge about what is transgenic. The understanding of students on the production of an TF, in general, is presented consistently to that found in the literature. We observed about the positive aspects of the production of these foods, the arguments used by students are very similar to those transmitted by the proponents of TF in the literature of the area. When asked about the negative aspects of the production of TF, we observed the subjects' concerns about the damage to the environment and about the lack of conclusive research results, with regard to benefits and / or harmful effects of these foods. Some students expressed concerns regarding the consumption of TF, especially health risks. They also mention that issue, the lack of conclusive studies on the question of possible harmful consumption of TF. There were several reasons cited by students to support the consumption of these foods, such as: the fight against hunger, more affordable, higher quality, durability, higher content of vitamins, improved nutritional quality of food and economic benefits. About the decision, the responses were divided into for and against. For the favorable, responses were from those who believe that GM crops can benefit the world population in the fight against hunger, even those who think these foods in nutritional improvements. Regarding students who protested against those who considered highlight the existence of other ways to improve the natural production of food, and believe to be much more beneficial for the population to encourage this without the use of agrochemicals and pesticides.