Genetic Modification in Agriculture

Food Security and Genetic Modification

• Genetic modification (GM) of crops is essential for delivering global food security, but public opposition to GM-food is significant.
• A study was conducted to understand why rational argument fails to shift public perception of GM-food, focusing on social, cultural, and affective contexts.

The Debate Surrounding GM-Food

• The debate on GM-food involves risk communication, but public acceptance is influenced by metaphysical beliefs about the sanctity of food and emotional dislike of GM-food.
• Belief in the value of science and favorable evaluation of benefits-to-risks are secondary positive determinants of GM-food acceptance.

Factors Influencing GM-Food Acceptance

• Socio-economic and demographic antecedents of opinion have been less studied, despite descriptive data being available.
• Emotion (affect) plays a significant role in shaping public perception of GM-food, going beyond reason-based decision-making.

Methodology of the Study

• A nationally representative sample of 3340 adults in the UK was surveyed online, with 3116 qualifying responses collected.
• The questionnaire explored interrelationships among acceptance of GM-food, attitudes to GM-food, and theoretical antecedents.

Key Findings

• Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify factors influencing GM-food acceptance.
• Eight factors from socio-cultural attitudinal questions and eight factors from GM-attitudinal questions were identified.
• Regression analysis was used to identify measures with the most effect on personal acceptance of GM-food.

Understanding the Results

• Personal acceptance of GM-food is influenced by broader socio-cultural attitudes to food processing and worldviews, such as environmentalism and universalism.
• The study highlights the complex and nuanced nature of public perception of GM-food, going beyond reason-based decision-making.### Study of Genetically Modified Food Acceptance

Demographic Characteristics of the Sample

• 3116 participants, 48.5% male, 51.5% female
• Age range: 18-65 years, average age 41.5 years
• Household size: 2.9, standard deviation 1.5
• Household income: £35,400, standard deviation £23,300
• Educational attainment: 24.8% G.C.S.E., 23.2% AS/A Level, 14.7% further education, 26% degree, 11.3% postgraduate
• Urban or rural: 78.9% urban, 21.1% rural
• Regional distribution: England (84.8%), Scotland (8.1%), Wales (4.8%), Northern Ireland (2.4%)
• Dietary identity: 1.7% vegan, 4.1% lacto-vegetarian, 5.1% semi-vegetarian, 3.0% flexitarian, 86.1% non-vegetarian

Acceptance of Genetically Modified Food

• Personal acceptance score: 4.2 out of 7, standard deviation 1.4
• Factors influencing acceptance:
  • Gender: males more accepting than females (mean score 4.43 vs 3.89)
  • Age: younger adults (18-24 years) more accepting than older adults
  • Household size: no significant difference
  • Household income: higher income associated with greater acceptance (p = 0.019)
  • Educational attainment: science-based education associated with greater acceptance (p < 0.001)
  • Dietary identity: non-vegetarians more accepting than vegetarians and vegans

Attitudinal Measures

• Eight socio-cultural attitudinal measures, eight GM-attitudinal measures, and one knowledge of the GM-debate measure
• Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranged between 0.71 and 0.96 for the measures
• Mediation analysis used to explore influences on acceptance of GM food### Demographic and Socio-Cultural Factors Influencing GM-Food Acceptance
• A study analyzed the influences of demographic and socio-cultural measures on personal acceptance of genetically modified (GM) food.
• The study found that:
  • Education level has a significant impact on GM-food acceptance, with those holding a postgraduate degree being more accepting.
  • Science-based education and belief in the sanctity of food are strong predictors of GM-food acceptance.
  • Urban dwellers are more accepting of GM-food compared to those living in rural areas.
  • Regionally, there are differences in GM-food acceptance, with the North East and West Midlands being more accepting.
  • Dietary identity affects GM-food acceptance, with vegans being less accepting.

Attitudinal Measures Influencing GM-Food Acceptance

• The study identified four dominant GM-attitudinal measures that influence personal acceptance of GM-food:
  • Emotional dislike of GM-food: a strong predictor of non-acceptance.
  • Benefits-to-risks rating: a positive rating increases acceptance.
  • Trust in government and multinational corporations (MNCs) regarding GM-food: increased trust increases acceptance.
  • GM-agri-food being eco-friendly: belief in eco-friendliness increases acceptance.

Interplay Between Socio-Cultural and GM-Attitudinal Measures

• The study explored the interplay between socio-cultural factors and GM-attitudinal measures influencing GM-food acceptance.
• Belief in the sanctity of food and emotional dislike of GM-food are strong predictors of non-acceptance.
• Benefits-to-risks rating and trust in government and MNCs regarding GM-food have a positive influence on acceptance.
• Investment in science and science having benefited the world positively influence acceptance.

Mediation Analysis

• Mediation analysis revealed that:
  • Belief in the sanctity of food influences acceptance through emotional dislike of GM-food and benefits-to-risks rating.
  • Investment in science and science having benefited the world influence acceptance through benefits-to-risks rating.

Key Findings

• Socio-cultural factors, such as education level and dietary identity, influence GM-food acceptance.
• GM-attitudinal measures, including emotional dislike of GM-food and benefits-to-risks rating, are strong predictors of acceptance.
• Interplay between socio-cultural and GM-attitudinal measures influences GM-food acceptance.
• Belief in the sanctity of food and emotional dislike of GM-food are strong predictors of non-acceptance.
• Investment in science and benefits-to-risks rating positively influence acceptance.