Public Perceptions of Genetically Modified Food: An International Comparison

Biotechnology stands to be a defining technology in the future of food and agriculture. Proponents argue that science and industry are poised to bring consumers a wide variety of products that have potential for meeting basic food needs, as well as delivering a wide-range of health, environmental, and economic benefits. Opponents counter that the potential exists for unintended consequences, ranging from ecological disruption to adverse human health implications, and that these risks are not fully understood. While these viewpoints have been hotly debated by their advocates, there has been little research to examine how the American public at large perceives this issue. Thus, fundamental questions exist regarding the general public’s position on food products derived with the use of biotechnology. To address these questions, the Food Policy Institute conducted a phone survey of 1,203 American adults in 2001. This study is the first in a series of tracking studies designed to explore the basis, strength, extent and persistence of Americans’ attitudes of biotechnology and more specifically genetically modified food. The results from 2001 can be compared to Eurobarometer results in the same time frame. Currently, the second survey in this series is being fielded. This research will not only track US opinions of biotechnology overtime but also facilitate international comparability with other studies being conducted in Europe, China, and Canada. The 2001 results suggest most Americans know very little about biotechnology, with the majority saying they were inadequately informed about biotechnology and had never discussed the topic with anyone. Most respondents were unaware that genetically modified food products are currently available in supermarkets, and half had never heard of traditional cross-breeding methods. Responses to a series of questions to ascertain knowledge of science and technology revealed that Americans tend to be relatively uninformed about both. Yet, the US public scores higher then their European counterparts on these same questions. Regardless of their lack of knowledge, respondents tended to believe they were well informed about science, technology, and the process of food production. Americans seem much more apprehensive to the broad, abstract concept of genetic modification than they do to specific applications of the technology. When asked about biotechnology in general, many responded negatively. In contrast, when presented with real-world choices about specific products and benefits, like Vitamin A enriched rice (85% approval) or grass that requires less mowing (76% approval). For example, little more than a quarter approved using genetic modification to create hybrid animals, while about three-quarters approved manipulating a sheep’s genes to produce vaccines in its milk. More than four in five Americans approve of the use of genetic modification to create more nutritious grain to feed people in developing countries. And, nearly three-quarters of the US public would approve of genetic modification if used to create less expensive or better tasting produce. This study is a necessary starting point for understanding public opinions of genetically modified food products. The initial findings illustrate the wide diversity and uncrystalized nature of American attitudes. New data from a follow-up survey available in Spring, 2003 will examine the stability of key attitudes over time and will have a particular focus on the relationship between attitudes concerning genetically modified food attitudes and assumptions about eating and food in general.Peer reviewedAbstract of a paper delivered at the ICABR 7th International Conference on Economics of Biotechnology: Public Goods and Public Policy for Agricultural Biotechnology, Ravello, Italy, June 29 to July 3, 2003