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What consumers don't know about genetically modified food, and how that affects beliefs
Author(s) -
McFadden Brandon R.,
Lusk Jayson L.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.201600598
Subject(s) - genetically modified food , genetically modified organism , food labeling , food safety , marketing , food products , public opinion , novel food , genetically engineered , business , psychology , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , political science , biology , law , biochemistry , politics , gene
In the debates surrounding biotechnology and genetically modified (GM) food, data from consumer polls are often presented as evidence for precaution and labeling. But how much do consumers actually know about the issue? New data collected from a nationwide U.S. survey reveal low levels of knowledge and numerous misperceptions about GM food. Nearly equal numbers of consumers prefer mandatory labeling of foods containing DNA as do those preferring mandatory labeling of GM foods. When given the option, the majority of consumers prefer that decisions about GM food be taken out of their hands and be made by experts. After answering a list of questions testing objective knowledge of GM food, subjective, self‐reported knowledge declines somewhat, and beliefs about GM food safety increase slightly. Results suggest that consumers think they know more than they actually do about GM food, and queries about GM facts cause respondents to reassess how much they know. The findings question the usefulness of results from opinion polls as a motivation for creating public policy surrounding GM food.—McFadden, B. R., Lusk, J. L. What consumers don't know about genetically modified food, and how that affects beliefs. FASEB J. 30, 3091–3096 (2016). www.fasebj.org