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Genetically modified organisms (GMO), mainly crop plants, are increasingly grown worldwide leading to large trade volumes of living seeds and other plant material both for cultivation and for food and animal feed. Even though all the traded GMOs have been assessed for their safety with regards to human and animal health and the environment, there still are some concerns regarding the potential uncontrolled release in the environment of authorized or unauthorized GM plants. In this review, we identify the possible entrance routes of GM seeds and other propagating plant material in the EU which could be linked to unauthorized release of GMOs in the environment. In addition, we discuss the situation with GM plant cultivation in some non-EU countries in terms of potential risks for GM seed imports. The available body of information suggests that GM seeds and plant propagating material can enter the EU due to problems with labeling/traceability of GM seed lots, contamination of conventional seed lots and accidental release into the environment of grains imported for food and animal feed. Even though cases of uncontrolled release of authorized GMOs, as well as, release of unauthorized GMOs have been reported, they can be generally attributed to adventitious and technically unavoidable presence with little environmental impact. In conclusion, the probability of GM seeds and plant propagating material illegally entering the cultivation in EU is unlikely. However, specific monitoring programs need to be established and maintained to facilitate the compliance of European farmers with the current GMO legislation.

The aim of this investigation is to present the results obtained during the survey of Latvian consumers in order to elicit subjective and objective knowledge about genetically modified organisms and genetic modification. The main task was to develop the core questions so that to elicit the objective knowledge of Latvian consumers on genetically modified organisms. The questions were elaborated in cooperation with Latvian scientists in the field of biology and further will be incorporated in the survey on Latvian consumers' attitude regarding the use of genetically modified organisms in food production and other industries where also relationship between the level of the consumers' knowledge and attitude to acceptance of genetically modified products will be evaluated. Keywords: consumer attitude, knowledge, genetically modified.Šio tyrimo tikslas yra pristatyti rezultatus, kurie buvo gauti apklausus Latvijos vartotojus, siekiant išsiaiškinti jų subjektyvias ir objektyvias žinias apie genetiškai modifikuotus organizmus bei genetinę modifikaciją. Pagrindinė užduotis buvo suformuluoti esminius klausimus, kurie leistų išsiaiškinti Latvijos vartotojų objektyvias žinias apie genetiškai modifikuotus organizmus. Klausimai apklausoje pasirinkti bendradarbiaujant su Latvijos biologijos srities mokslininkas ir šie klausimai taip pat bus įtraukti į apklausą tiriant Latvijos vartotojų požiūrį į modifikuotų organizmų panaudojimą maisto gamyboje ir kitose pramonės šakose, kuris irgi siekia įver-tinti ryšį tarp vartotojų žinių ir požiūrio į genetiškai modifikuotus produktus. Raktiniai žodžiai: vartotojų požiūris, žinios, genetiškai modifikuotas.

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Over the years, improved techniques for production and processing of food have resulted in the expansion of our food supply by prolonging keeping times, preventing spoilage and increasing the variety of food products available. The use of new technologies in food production has potential benefits for both food manufactures and consumers. But one of the question raising is how consumers react to the new technologies and how does it impact their choice to buy or not to buy such kind of food. This article examines how the new technologies in food production (genetic engineering, nanotechnologies, cloning) affect consumer choice to purchase food obtained through these technologies. Different literature and scientific data available were summarized to find out the main reasons what affect consumers' attitude towards new technologies in food production. Results suggest that the willingness to consume food obtained with help of new technologies is directly influenced by the risk consumers perceive and the perception of risk is more direct than the perception of supposed benefits.