Study shows that Americans are split over Genetically Modified Foods
Since more than two-thirds of the food produced for sale in the United States contains at least some amount of a crop or ingredient that has been genetically engineered, researchers at Cornell University wanted to know whether Americans consider genetically modified foods a benefit or a risk to their health. Their study found that Americans are split on the issue of genetically modified foods and have grown slightly more skeptical of the technology over the past three years.
The Cornell University researchers conducted four annual national surveys from 2003 to 2005, sampling about 750 respondents each year, and three annual surveys of individuals living in New York from 2003 to 2005, contacting about 850 respondents each year. The national survey measured the respondent’s support for genetically modified foods using a scale from 1 to 10, while the survey of New Yorkers used a similar scale to measure the perceived health risks of genetically engineered food. The mean response for support for biotechnology was 5.6 (on the 1 to 10 scale) during the first year of the surveys, but by 2005, the mean response declined slightly to 5.2. Similarly, the mean response regarding perceived risks of GMOs increased to 6.1 in 2005 from 5.4 during the first year.
The findings, presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, showed that generally women and minorities of both genders perceived a higher risk in using GMOs in food production than men and Caucasians of both genders. Republicans showed more overall support for genetically engineered foods than others questioned for the study and people who pay more attention to the news supported genetically engineered food more than those who don’t, according to the study.
James Shanahan, associate professor of communication at Cornell, co-director of Cornell’s Genetically Engineered Organisms public issues education project, and lead researcher on this study, said that overall research shows that genetically modified foods are safe and effective and the more that people are exposed to news about biotechnology, the more they become aware of it, and therefore, become more supportive of the technology.
I found this Cornell University study to be interesting, but not without its flaws. For example, what really influenced the participants’ opinions about biotechnology, especially those in New York who were asked about their views about the “possible health risks” that genetically modified foods may pose? Have the words “genetically modified” conjured up images of cloned sheep in the public’s eye and therefore, they think these foods are not real and harmful to them?
I think a great deal of individuals’ perceptions about biotechnology comes from misinformation presented by groups opposed to the technology as well as in the media. People need to remember that biotechnology simply uses what is found in nature to create better foods and to address vital needs in this world we live in. Plus too, there have been so many more surveys that clearly show that individuals believe in the benefits and advantages of genetically modified foods, including the April 2000 Texas A&M University survey that showed that 65 percent of individuals agreed that genetically modified foods will bring benefits to people and a 2005 Gallup Poll that stated that 54 percent of individuals rejected the idea that GM foods posed a “serious health hazard” to consumers. Certainly, people with doubts about GMOs can’t ignore the compelling facts these surveys present.
As scientists and researchers continue to develop more genetically modified foods, there will no doubt be more studies examining the public’s perceptions of these foods. It will be very interesting to see what people think about biotechnology over the next few years as advances are made and more GM crops become available to more consumers around the world.
