Reasons for and against GMO and GM foods and factors affecting reasoning

Factors affecting reasoning:

1. Nation
•  Europeans more opposed compared to Americans; Europeans more likely to support if GMO and GM foods offered health benefits and decreased the use of pesticides
• American citizens from a scientific background are more supportive
• Animal welfare is of high importance in the Netherlands thus reducing GMO support
• Newer nations support GM foods due to the need for cheap and a reliable source of food
2. Access to information
•  Greater access to anti-/pro-GM campaigns affect support with those with greater public anti-GM views more likely to oppose GMO
• Scientific evidence proved more efficient in gaining support than evidence concerning ethics
• Those with "hard" sources of information gain are more supportive of GMO than those with "soft" information access
3. Age
•  The young are likely to support, purchase and consume GMO and GM foods
• Young are more likely to support newer technologies and have fewer responsibilities (family, children, etc.) therefore are more likely to take risks
4. Sex
•  Women less supportive than men
• Women are more likely to read packaging labels and are more health conscious
• Anti-GM campaigns have focused around baby health thus making women more sensitive to such information
5. Education level
• Educated more opposed compared to uneducated
• Educated have access to more sources of information but information may not be specific
• Greater information access could make one either supportive of GMO or skeptical of GMO
• Those with lower education levels focus on other factors such as cost and health benefits

References: 

Dizon, F., Costa, S., Rock, C., Harris, A., Husk, C. & Mei, J. (2015). Genetically Modified (GM) Foods and Ethical Eating. Journal of Food Science, 81(2), 287-291. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.13191

Legge Jr., J. S. & Durant, R. F. (2010). Public Opinion, Risk Assessment, and Biotechnology: Lessons from Attitudes towards Genetically Modified Foods in the European Union. Review of Policy Research, 27(1), 59-76. doi: 10.1111/j.1541-1338.2009.00427.x 

Macer, D. (2005). Ethical, legal and social issues of genetically modifying insect vectors for public health. Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 35(7), 649-660. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2005.02.010

Peter, R. & Mojca, J. (2011). Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Encyclopedia of Environmental Health, 879-999. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-52272-6.00481-5
 
Vàzquez-Salat, N., Salter, B., Smets, G. & Houdebine, L. M. (2012). The current state of GMO governance: Are we ready for GM animals? Biotechnology Advances, 30(6), 1336-1343. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2012.02.006



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- Tarnnum :)