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This paper reports the analysis of a recent study of public perception of food safety governance in Spain, using genetically modified (GM) foods as an indicator. The data make clear that Spanish food consumers are aware of their rights and role in the marketplace. They are critical of current regulatory decision making, which they perceive to be unduly influenced by certain social actors, such as industry. In contrast, consumers demand decisions to be based primarily on scientific opinion, as well as consumer preferences. They want authorities to facilitate informed purchasing decisions, and favor labeling of GM foods mostly on the grounds of their right to know. However, consumers' actual level of knowledge with respect to food technology and food safety remains low. There are several ambivalences as to the real impact of these attitudes on actual consumer behavior (specifically when it comes to organizing themselves or searching out background information).

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The concept of governance has gained momentum in the political arena, both in the academic realm and in the daily management. The concept sees its origin in the North-American political science school and public administration. Europe has imported the concept as a means to develop new strategies for the management of the relationships between public and private affairs as well as between government and society. The concept is complex both in its foundations and instruments and very likely aims to bridge the social protection system with the strong liberalism. The introduction of the concept within the science and technology domain has been pushed by the European dynamics. The European policies have driven its integration into the social discourse, essentially through a follower attitude, lacking any analytical reflection and deep analysis of its meaning and consequences. In this context, the concept seems to be tightly linked to a systemic and complex vision of the management of science and technology that has to be confronted to the existence of a series of levels. It seems pertinent to delve into the relationship of the concept of governance with other fundamental aspects of the scientific and technological issues as being demanded by the principles inspired in the «reflexive modernization» idea: risk, precaution, uncertainty, sustainability, innovation linked to the intervention of users and consumers.