Backgroud Information for the Public Survey, Including Aims and Hypotheses.

Aims:

1. To gain an idea of current public opinion of the genetic modification of food i.e. crops.
2. To provide an informative experience providing information about GMO
3. To gain information on what is currently known by the public about GMO and to find what areas could be improved on via informative blogs/ interesting Facebook/Twitter accounts for people who cannot access information by other means.

Hypotheses:

1. There will be no significant difference in opinion on GMO before and after the questionnaire.
2. Taking previous research surveys into consideration, there will be a relatively equal number of people for/against/undecided GMO.  

Target:
There was no specific target audience for the survey, the survey conducted on survey monkey was shared publicly on Facebook. Here it could be accessed by a range of individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The survey was anonymous but taking into consideration the people who commented on the link the age range of survey replies is 24-50 years.




Background Information


It is thought that the general public are still largely unaware about the genetic modification of foods except the bad press it receives from the media branding it as 'unnatural'. Despite this UK public opinion is not as against GM foods as was first thought. Surveys have reported findings in which only 13% of consumers said they actively avoid GM foods, while 74% were not sufficiently concerned to actively avoid it. It is thought that scientists need to engage with the public and educate as much as possible about the topic as it seems a negative opinion arises through ignorance. (Key, S., Ma, J. & Drake, P. 2008) In contrast to this S Ceccoli and W Hixon, found that within the European union 72.7% of respondents agreed with the statement 'Could you please tell me if you tend to agree or disagree with the following statement about genetically modified foods – ‘I do not want this type
of food.’ that they do not want this type of food.' 19.6% disagreed with the statement. 7.7% of respondents reported an answer of ‘don’t know’ when asked the question. This shows uncertainty among members of the public, and that education would go a long way in helping people come to an educated well thought and reasoned opinion.


References:


Ceccoli, A. & Hixon, W. (2011) Explaining attitudes toward genetically modified foods in the European Union. International Political Science Review, 33(3), 301-319. doi:                                 10.1177/0192512111418788 
Key, S., Ma, J. & Drake, P. (2008) Genetically modified plants and human health. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 101(6), 290-298. doi: 10.1258/jrsn.2008.070372