Public perception of genetically-modified (GM) food: A Nationwide Chinese Consumer Study

Abstract

After more than 25 years of research and development on the genetic modification of a wide range of crops for food and fodder, China has reached a decision point as to whether it should accept, reject, or go slow with the use of genetically modified (GM) technology to produce the food and feed needed to sustain its population growth and economic renaissance. Here, we report a consumer survey on GM food that includes input from all provinces in China. Chinese consumers were surveyed for their awareness, knowledge, and opinion on GM food. The survey resulted in 11.9, 41.4, and 46.7% of respondents having a positive, neutral, or negative view on GM food, respectively. A minority of respondents (11.7%) claimed they understood the basic principles of GM technology, while most were either “neutral” or “unfamiliar with GM technology”. Most respondents (69.3%) obtained their information on GM food through the Internet and 64.3% of respondents thought that media coverage was predominately negative on GM food. The reasons given by consumers in favor of, or against, the use of GM food, were complex, as seen by the response of 13.8% of respondents who felt GM technology was a form of bioterrorism targeted at China. China’s Ministry of Agriculture and the science community generally expressed a positive attitude toward GM food, but the percentage of respondents that trusted the government and scientists was only 11.7 and 23.2%, respectively. Post-survey comments of respondents made suggestions on how the industrialization of GM technology might impact the future of China’s food supply and value chains. Finally, the impact of emerging technologies like genome editing and genome-edited organisms (GEOs) on the GM food debate is discussed.

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

“…Since activists have been spreading information about the potential risk of GM technology on social media [47], trust in the food system and regulatory institutions and knowledge of GM technology are important factors affecting consumers' attitudes about GM foods [48][49][50][51]. Consumers' attitudes toward GM foods are also influenced by social characteristics, such as age, gender, education, and individual's scientific background [46,[52][53][54].…”

The influence of consumers’ knowledge on their responses to genetically modified foods

“…China's Ministry of Agriculture and the science community expressed a generally positive attitude toward GM food, but the percentage of respondents that trusted the government and scientists was only 11.7 and 23.2%, respectively. 12 According to, 13 the number of GM foods approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and offered on supermarket shelves has steadily grown, while simultaneously, public wariness about the safety of GM foods has increased. Therefore, it is inevitable that consumers experience anxiety about GM foods 5,12 which may in turn affect their attitudes and behaviors regarding food choice.…”

The Regulation and Protection of Genetically Modified Food

“…Based on the survey on consumer perspective of GM food in China by Cui and Shoemaker (2018), results in Chinese consumer being cautious of GM food. The survey conducted by Sprinter Research (2010), shows in Lithuania, above 50% of respondents have a negative opinion towards GMO and more than 40% are not sure if they are buying and consuming GM food.…”