Do consumers really refuse to buy genetically modified food?”, The Economic journal

We elicit willingness-to-pay information for similar food products that differ only in their content of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Participants in the experiment are a demographically representative sample of French consumers. 35 % of participants are unwilling to purchase products made with GMOs, 23 % are indifferent or value the presence of GMOs, and 42 % are willing to purchase them if they are sufficiently inexpensive. The results contrast with surveys that indicate overwhelming opposition to GM foods. There is a surplus to be gained from the segre-gation of the market for food products into a GMO-free segment and a segment allowing GMOs. The introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into food products has ignited a passionate debate, particularly in Europe. On the basis of recom-mendations from the scientific community, regulatory authorities such as the FSA in the UK, the FDA in the US and the DGAL in France, have recognised that the GMO products currently available are safe for the consumer and the environment. Moreover, there is a consensus among scientists that biotechnology has the potential to create products that will enhance nutrition, increase crop yields, and reduce the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides. Nevertheless, polling of Euro