Awareness of Students on Genetically Modified Organisms in a State University: Basis for a Proposed University Awareness Program

Abstract

As an educational institution, there is a need to be well informed especially about pressing issues and concerns affecting humanity and one such issue is on the genetically modified organism. GMOs are organisms that have gone through some genetic alterations. It has become a business that may have started with good intentions, but that which have been described by experts as something that can also affect large numbers of people in yet unforeseen ways, that some are not even aware of the fact that they are consuming GMO food. The study aimed to find out the level of awareness of Technology and Livelihood Education students in a State University in Region 02 on Genetically Modified Organisms with the hope that many people will acquire knowledge for the development of the community. It made use of the quantitative descriptive-inferential approach using a questionnaire checklist validated by experts. Weighted mean and Analysis of Variance were used to analyze the data gathered. Findings show that most of the respondents have a low level of awareness on genetically modified organisms in food products and have a very low level of awareness in terms of genetically modified plants, animals, medicine, and the possible health risks these can bring about. Furthermore, findings reveal that there is a significant difference on their level of awareness in terms of genetically modified food products, plants, animals, medicines. With the findings and conclusions gathered, there is a great need to raise the level of awareness of the respondents on genetically modified organisms. Thereby, the researchers proposed the University Awareness Program on genetically modified organisms making every student in the university fully aware of the issue of GMOs.