Knowledge of modern biology is an important basis for accepting modern biotechnology. The more different sources spread the same reliable information, the more credible it becomes. In this campaign quite similar factual information was transmitted by the academies, universities, lobby groups, industry etc., always from a different source. One good example is the debate on allergies. After this, the proponents of the GPI no longer brought up allergenicity as an argument against genetic modification of crops.
Coalitions are essential for bringing about political changes.
The same holds for making people change their mind about costs and benefits of new technologies. It helped the opponents of the GPI to have a majority of medical, patient and farming organisations on their side, in addition to virtually all laboratory scientists as well as the government and its agencies. Other public organisations were divided in their views, such as consumer groups, environmental and women s organisations. A strong leadership in the coalition proved important. The opponents of the initiative appeared to be more of a coherent group with well orchestrated, complementary messages and they had considerable financial backing.