Genetically Modified Food Consumption Research Articles

Hostile media perceptions and consumption of genetically modified and organic foods: Examining the mediating role of risk-benefit assessments.

Drawing upon the hostile media effect, this study examined how perceived media bias in covering genetically modified (GM) food influences individuals' risk-benefit assessments of it and their food consumption behaviors. The results of a nationally representative survey (N=1364) showed that individuals seeing media coverage as more biased in favor of GM food perceived it as more hazardous, which was related to a higher proportion of organic food consumption in their diets. In contrast, perceived media coverage as less slanted toward GM food was associated with more benefit perceptions of it, thereby predicting its higher proportion in individuals' diets. More importantly, the indirect effect of perceived media bias on GM food consumption through benefit perceptions was more pronounced among males than females. The findings of this study not only provide empirical evidence of the perceptual and behavioral outcomes of hostile media perceptions, but also offer valuable insights for journalists and education practitioners to improve public understanding of emerging food technologies.

Detection of Genetically Modified Glyphosate-Resistant Soybean Sold in Sarawak

A genetically modified (GM) crop is an organism whose genetic makeup has been altered to express the desired physiological traits. Soybean (Glycine max) is a common GM crop. Its genome has been genetically engineered to confer resistance to herbicides, pests and extreme environmental conditions. Mislabelling of food products as GM-free has triggered insecurity among consumers. In addition, the health effects due to consumption of GM foods remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the presence of GM soybean in animal feeds and several food products such as raw soybean, tempeh, and tofu collected from Sarawak traditional markets, grocery stores, and supermarkets. The presence of the regulatory elements CaMV 35S Promoter (P35S) and NOS Terminator (TNOS) were initially screened using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Then, all samples were subjected to the PCR-based construct-specific method by targeting the cp4 epsps gene, which confers glyphosate-resistance. Positive samples were validated through DNA sequencing. The result demonstrated that 56 out of 65 samples including 17 soybean, 12 animal feeds, 7 tofu and 20 tempeh samples were positive for cp4 epsps. Furthermore, 2 out of 20 raw soybean samples were labelled as GM-free. However, validation using DNA sequencing indicates 100% identity to cp4 epsps gene in comparison with the Genbank database. This study demonstrated the significance of GM detection in soybean and the importance of accurate food labelling.

General Overview: Awareness of Genetically Modified Food Among Consumers

Current review was aimed to collect evidences of consumer’s attitude and knowledge about genetically modified food (GMF). Almost 150 articles of GMF with respect to social aspects were reviewed. Many consumers had negative attitude towards GMF because of health risks, low naturalness, lack of trust on experts and food safety management, and some consumers showed high inclination towards local food. Fear and emotional consideration, lack of information, lack of education and low dissemination of knowledge about GMFs were identified as factors in creating negative attitude towards genetic modification in food. Moreover, some consumers showed positive attitude due to their good socio-economic situation and their concerned were food freshness and quality. According to the literature, During the emergence of GMF, various organizations and consumers showed negative attitude and left unsolved conflicts regarding precautionary principle between governments, producers, distributors and consumers. The marketing sectors of GMF or crop faced different issues created by consumer’s attitude around the world. The basic purpose of the GMF was to fulfill the consumption requirement but the rapid negative reactions from consumers hindered the consumption of GMF. Due to such situation, researchers need to investigate the real situation of consumer’s attitudes towards the GMF consumption in future.

Knowledge and attitudes toward genetically modified (GM) food among health sciences university students in Karachi, Pakistan

Purpose Genetically modified (GM) foods have global importance as they can significantly improve food security challenges. However, risks associated with the consumption of GM foods have affected consumers’ acceptance. This study aims to assess the student’s awareness regarding GM foods. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted to explore the knowledge and attitude of health sciences university students toward GM foods. Students (n = 400) from different academic disciplines were participated in the study. Findings The majority of the university students heard about GM organisms and GM food (67.5% and 60.8%, respectively) and have correctly defined GM foods (48.2%). The mean percentage score of knowledge and attitude toward GM foods among university students was 36.0 ± 29.4% and 29.8 ± 23.1%, respectively. No significant difference was observed in knowledge and attitude between undergraduate and postgraduate students. A significant difference was found toward the acceptability of GM food in students from different health sciences disciplines (p = 0.006). Originality/value The findings indicate that educational programs are needed to improve the knowledge of students about GM food and food safety challenges.

Consumer perception and preference towards genetically modified (GM) foods: bibliometric evidence and policy imperatives.

Abstract Background: Genetically modified (GM) foods could be a promising option to reduce the dependence of the agri-food system on conventional means of crop improvement. However, the safety of GM food remains a concern, in addition to the perceived and real risks to environment. The opinion about scientific evidence among researchers, policymakers and government regulators on promotion of GM foods for consumers differ. This study presents the trends emerging from research outputs on consumer perception and preference for GM foods and policy prescriptions for enabling the consumption. Scope and Approach: The study mainly focused on (1) exploring the publication trends, geographic focus of research and a comprehensive review on the consumers' perception of and preference to GM foods, (2) identifying research hotspots and emerging genetically modified organisms (GMO) research themes, (3) assessing the integrated nature of GMO research, and (4) suggesting policy prescriptions on challenges and way forward. Bibliometric analyses have been performed using the Web of Science (WOS) database sourcing literature from 1981 to 2021 and analyzed the final sample of 543 publications using BibExcel and VOSviewer visualization software tools. The search strategy utilized the topic basis search of phrases related to GM food preference and perception. Key Findings and Conclusions: The search query retrieving 543 journal articles showed an increasing trend in publications on consumer's response towards GM foods. Thematic analysis revealed a strong interlinkage of GMOs research with 'agriculture' and 'food science technology'. Consumers' positive response is largely influenced by the decision of the governments to ban or approve the GM crops cultivation. Similarly, the public support increases when the potential benefits of the technology are well articulated, consumption increases with a price discount, people's trust on the government and belief in science increases with a positive influence by the media. Mapping of the retrieved articles showed the top four recurrent keywords: GMOs, biotechnology, attitudes and acceptance. Europe and the USA are the first region and country, respectively, in terms of the number of active institutions per research output, per capita GDP publication and citations per article. The National Natural Science Foundation of China, followed by the National University of Malaysia are the top fundraisers for research on GM food consumption, perceptions and attitudes. Although research outputs on GM food consumer's acceptance and preferences are increasing, a majority of publications came from developed nations. Thus, intensive research is yet to be carried out in developing countries to produce a genetically modified food product with superior properties and substantial equivalence with no significant side-effects. We suggest research-, agri-food industries-, and society-oriented policies needed to be implemented by the stakeholders to ensure the safety of GM food products, encourage consumer-based studies, and increase public awareness towards these food products.

Genetically modified foods and food allergy

Genetic modification of foods is one of the many ways of processing that can enhance foods to increase desirable qualities, such as herbicide tolerance, bacteria and insect resistance, improved nutritional value, and delayed ripening. However, a theoretical potential to increase the allergenicity of food proteins has been the subject of concern from critics. To prevent adverse effects from genetically modified (GM) crops, national and international organizations tightly regulate their production and recommend rigorous safety testing. Some safety tests were developed to assess potential allergenicity by studying the product’s similarity to known allergenic proteins, its resistance to pepsin digestion, and its binding to immunoglobulin E (IgE) from sera of patients with known relevant allergies. To date, these safety assessments have only identified rare GM foods with the potential to lead to immunologic reactions. These foods were stopped from being marketed commercially, and the products on the market now have passed required safety assessments. The rise in the prevalence of food allergy preceded the commercialization of GM foods and has also occurred in countries with limited access to GM crops, which highlights a lack of causative association between the two. Several studies provided further reassurance with no evidence of higher potency in specific IgE binding to GM foods. There are no studies that demonstrate adverse reactions due to GM food consumption, and GM foods may have the beneficial potential to silence major allergenic proteins. Therefore, physicians and other health-care professionals should counsel patients that the scientific data do not support an increased risk of allergic responses to GM foods.

Perception and Attitude toward GM Technology among Agribusiness Managers in China as Producers and as Consumers

China is one of the biggest consumers of genetically modified (GM) products, importing maize, soybeans and canola, and producing GM cotton. The cultivation of GM food crop, however, is still not permitted. Many studies argue that consumers’ attitude toward GM food safety is a major barrier to GM food crop production in China. Recent studies suggest that special interest groups such as biotechnology scientists with an economic interest in biotechnology are more supportive of the technology than groups with nothing to gain. Others believe that agribusiness groups influence the debate about GM food production. This is the first study that examined agribusiness managers’ attitudes toward GM biosafety and their support for GM crop production. The sample was 160 firms in the seed, pesticide, feed and food processing industries. We found most agribusiness leaders are concerned about GM food consumption and oppose GM crop production. Using regression models, we found business managers’ attitudes toward GM crop cultivation are more supportive if they expect to profit, if they are already using GM crops in their firm or are doing research on GM crops.

Impact of genetically modified food on health of consumers in India

The aim of this investigation is to understand the effects of genetically modified food on the health of consumers in the area of Yavatmal, a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This knowledge is essential since genetically modified (GM) foods are newly introduced in India. GM cotton is publically available; however, approval for GM Brinjal and GM mustard is still pending in India. To understand the impact of GM food consumption on the health of consumers, a survey was organised in Yavatmal district in Maharashtra among 350 consumers of GM cotton and its by-products (like cotton oil) and 350 consumers of non-GM cotton and the by-products. This study also observed the health of 125 livestock that eats GM food and 91 livestock that eat non-GM food. The collected information was analysed with t-test along with the descriptive statistics. Results of this investigation show that GM food consumers were less affected by any health-related problems than non-GM food users. This study is useful for policymakers to prepare the most favourable policy for different stakeholders of GM food.

Different shades of displeasure

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the differential consequences of fear and anger for consumers’ responses to genetically modified (GM) foods, and to identify substantive concerns that differentiate consumers’ negative emotional responses into fear and anger in the GM food context. Design/methodology/approach With survey data obtained from university students (n=267), structural equation modeling is used to assess relationships between four types of consumer concerns about the genetic modification of food, fear and anger, and two types of consumer responses to GM food products. Findings Intentions to make complaints about GM foods are increased by anger, but reduced by fear. Readiness to use GM foods is reduced by fear, but not by anger. Fear is strengthened by health-related concerns, while anger is strengthened by market-related concerns associated with the genetic modification of food. Research limitations/implications The generalizability of the findings is limited by the student sample. The study confirms the applicability of cognitive appraisal theories of emotion in the context of GM food consumption. The findings help GM food marketers and societal opinion influencers to identify consumers’ concerns that need to be addressed to manage consumers’ antagonistic or avoiding emotion-driven responses to GM foods. Originality/value This study is the first to show that discrete emotions of the same negative valence have distinct effects on consumer acceptance of GM foods, and to distinguish substantive concerns that in particular foster fear and anger in the GM food context.

A structural equation model for the analysis of genetically modified foods consumption

Purpose The spread of genetically modified (GM) foodstuffs is related to consumer scepticism in Europe, and particularly in Italy. Consumer scepticism in turn depends on the low level of public knowledge about the health consequences, in terms of risks and benefits, of consuming these GM foods. This paper aims, first and foremost, to investigate the phenomenon of GM foodstuffs consumption in Italy and, then, to construct a statistical model for analysing the Italian habits regarding this consumption. Furthermore, this model allows us to formalize the origins of behaviour regarding GM foodstuffs consumption and to detect the drivers of their purchase. Design/methodology/approach From January 2009 to May 2009, 1,061 public high school students in 25 randomly selected schools of a metropolitan area (Naples, South Italy) were questioned. More precisely, each student was given a questionnaire regarding, in the first part, school cultural characteristics and, then, awareness and GM food consumption. A Likert scale was used to answer the questions. After collecting data, the authors chose to apply structural equation modelling, as it is one of the general and powerful multivariate analysis technique useful to simultaneously analyse and evaluate multivariate hypotheses. Findings The findings showed that GM food consumption by Italian students depended on the knowledge of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and on the impact of this organisms both on human health and the environment. Therefore, in order to help consumers to choose whether or not to eat GM foods, a standardized evaluation system of human health and environmental consequences produced by GMO and GM foods should be created. In particular, the authors introduced a general framework that could help researchers/users to select and assess a hierarchy of the influence of factors on Italian habits regarding the consumption of GM foodstuffs. Originality/value In this research, the authors propose a structural equation model – full formative measurement model – that allows to define the origins of behaviour towards GM food consumption and to detect the drivers of their purchase. Particularly, the authors showed that GM food consumption depended on the knowledge of GMOs and on the impact of the GMOs on human health and the environment.

What are the non-food impacts of GM crop cultivation on farmers’ health?

Abstract Background With a steady increase in the area cultivated with genetically modified (GM) crops, the impacts of GM crop cultivation are coming under closer scrutiny around the world. The impacts on humans usually refer to possible risks to health occurring as a result of the GM food consumption. Other concerns, such as the claims of human health benefits arising from the cultivation of GM crops via reduced use of pesticides could be considered, if at all, under economic impacts of the technology. Similarly, other human health impacts could occur as a result of a modification of the amount of pesticides residues found in underground water, which could be considered under environmental impacts. Yet many GM crops are not consumed on-farm, either because they require processing before becoming edible (such as soya bean, cottonseed and oilseed) or because the entire harvest is sold to maximise profits. It would be certainly difficult to demonstrate the importance of GM foods health effects versus the non-food health effects of GM crop cultivation on farmers. However, the non-food health effects, although apparently receiving less attention, deserve a closer look because of their potential economic and environmental links. Methods/design The primary research question is: What are the non-food impacts of GM crop cultivation on farmers’ health? To address specifically the main research question, the analysis focuses on two related secondary questions: 1) Does the cultivation of GM crops result in a lower number of pesticide-related poisonings? and 2) Does the cultivation of GM crops allow for higher financial resources to be used by farmers to improve their and their family’s health status? Further, the review will also evaluate the extent to which information relevant to the two secondary questions is freely-available. The abstracts of non-free articles, alongside their bibliographic details, will be included in a separate table, and if the information supplied would be detailed enough, a summary will be provided. The search and assessment methodologies (especially the search string, inclusion/exclusion criteria, data extraction table, data synthesis and presentation) were adapted following problems overcome, and experience gained, during a scoping search.

The Trials of Genetically Modified Food

Although planting of genetically modified (GM) crops has topped 148 million ha. worldwide, direct consumption of GM foods remains extremely rare. The obstacles to GM foods are highly varied and they can provide windows into important cultural dynamics. India's heated controversy over its would-be first GM food—Bt brinjal (eggplant)—is driven not only by common concerns over testing and corporate control of food, but by its clash with the Ayurvedic medical establishment. GM brinjal may outcross with wild relatives commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, and claims that outcrossing would not affect medical efficacy miss the point. Ayurveda emphasizes polyherbal treatments and has developed an epistemology oriented towards complex combinations of compounds. As such it does not recognize the authority of specific studies of transgene effects. The conflict is not with genetic modification per se, but with the reductionism that is central to the biotechnology approvals process. This opposition has played a significant role in the government moratorium on the plant.

Analyzing consumers' preferences towards GM food in southern Spain

In Europe, since the 1990s, food safety crises have heightened public concerns about and distrust towards the agro-food sector, making consumers wary of genetically modified (GM) foods. The application of gene technology to agricultural production has become a highly controversial scientific, political and social issue due to the uncertainty about the potential risks and benefits from GM food consumption. In this regard, public views influence consumers' demands and hence determine the future of this technology's development. Biotechnology proponents attribute the current consumer resistance to GM foods to the lack of tangible benefits for the consumers with higher functional properties. Thus, this paper estimates consumers' preferences regarding GM foods by simulating a market for GM functional cornflakes in southern Spain using the conjoint analysis method. Additionally, market segmentation was performed using a cluster analysis and the consumers' profile differences for each segment were identified. The main results indicate that consumers prefer the GM-free food; nonetheless, the market segmentation distinguishes a potential market niche for GM foods and indicates that businesses can develop strategies to target these segments. Therefore, the marketing strategies implemented in southern Spain should be focused on the health functional claims of second generation GM food.

The consumption of genetically modified foods in Italian high school students

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms in which the DNA has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. Such methods are used to create GM plants – which are then used to grow (GM) food crops. GM foods have the potential to solve many of the world’s hunger and malnutrition problems, and to help protect and preserve the environment by increasing yield and reducing reliance upon chemical pesticides and herbicides. Nevertheless, the consumption of GM foods provokes doubts and hesitations among consumers, especially in Italy. This paper has two aims, the first is to investigate genetically modified (GM) foods consumption in Italian high school students through a large sample size survey on 2122 students randomly selected in 39 schools of a metropolitan area (Naples, South-Italy). The second, by examining the behavioural process that drives individual’s perceptions of GM food taking advantage of an empirical choice methodology that corrects for endogeneity in decision making relationships, namely structural equation model (SEM). The results show that a very large percentage of students never or rarely eat GM food and a lot of them do not suggest the consumption of GM food. The proposed SEM is a full formative measurement model and shows that GM foods consumption in Italian students depends on the knowledge of GMO and on the impact of the GMO on the men’s health and on the environment. Therefore, in order to orient population it could be realized a standardized evaluation systems relative to human health and environment consequences produced by GM organisms and GM foods.

Consumer Perception of Genetically Modified Food: Empirical Evidence From India

Although the advent of genetically modified (GM) foods changed the agricultural scenario in developed countries, existing research confirms that consumer perception about the consumption of the same is often distorted. GM foods entered the Indian market amid widespread controversies and criticisms. There exists a host of studies that tried to establish the factors that shape favorable consumer perception toward GM foods indeed, but evidence from developing countries like India is still missing. The article undertakes an exploratory investigation of the factors that shape consumer perception about the consumption of GM foods in India and subsequently confirms the same with the aid of a measurement model. The study provides important implications for managers in directing efforts toward influencing consumer perception and instigating positive attitudes toward GM foods so that the benefits of their use can be extended to the masses in relatively nascent markets.

Animal feeding trials for assessing GMO safety: answers and questions.

Abstract The safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) plants and their derived food and feed is nowadays a matter of lively debate. Any nutritional consequence of GM food consumption needs to be considered, both in terms of possible changes in the levels of nutrients in the food itself, and in terms of direct or indirect, immediate or cumulative effects on the overall diet. From this point of view, several potential risks have been taken into consideration by scientists when evaluating the safety of GM organisms (GMOs) by animal feeding trials; in particular, the possibility has been considered that GM food effects might not be due to the introduced gene itself, but to the unintended consequences of its introduction, such as allergy induction, DNA transfer to gastrointestinal flora (including antibiotic resistance), production of toxic compounds (i.e. insecticidal proteins), persistence of herbicide residues in transgenic herbicide-tolerant plants, any kind of unintended effects associated with the expression of recombinant proteins in non-native hosts. In this review, an overview of the literature data is reported on the effects of GMO intake in different animal models, with the scope to outline the state of the art of the scientific research on this subject.

A three generation study with genetically modified Bt corn in rats: Biochemical and histopathological investigation

For the last ten years, in accordance with the increased use of genetically modified (GM) foods for human and livestocks, a large number of feeding studies have been carried out. However, the evidence is still far from proving whether the long-term consumption of GM foods posses a possible danger for human or animal health. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of transgenic corn on the rats that were fed through three generations with either GM corn or its conventional counterpart. Tissue samples of stomach, duodenum, liver and kidney were obtained for histopathological examinations. The average diameter of glomeruli, thickness of renal cortex and glomerular volume were calculated and number of affected animals/number of examined animals for liver and kidney histopathology were determined. Amounts of urea, urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, total protein, albumin and globulin were determined; enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, creatine kinase and amylase were measured in serum samples. No statistically significant differences were found in relative organ weights of rats within groups but there were some minimal histopathological changes in liver and kidney. Changes in creatinine, total protein and globulin levels were also determined in biochemical analysis.

The effect of consumer risk perceptions on the propensity to purchase genetically modified foods in Romania

AbstractThis study evaluates consumer purchase propensity for genetically modified (GM) food products in Romania, shedding light on consumer preferences in developing Eastern European nations. Results based on a bivariate probit model of purchase propensity for GM sunflower oil and table potatoes show that consumers in Romania are generally opposed to GM food consumption, similar to consumers in Western Europe, but contrary to consumers in many developing nations. Purchase probabilities carry across GM foods, indicating homogeneity in consumer risk perceptions. Additionally, income levels and risk perceptions are the primary drivers of purchase decisions, whereas positive or beneficiary product attributes (e.g., health, environmental, economic) are currently not considered by consumers. Negative consumer risk perceptions of GM goods in Romania will likely make the implementation of these crops for economic development purposes difficult. [EconLit Citations: Q18, D12, O12] © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 23: 263–278, 2007.