By Tory Boyd
Responses to a recent survey show that Floridians are hesitant about buying food labeled as genetically modified, according to the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education.
Results from an online survey of 510 state residents revealed a slight disagreement in their food purchasing plans. When asked if they would purchase a product labeled as genetically modified, 38 percent of respondents were unsure and 39 percent disagreed or strongly disagreed.
“There are a lot of neither agree nor disagree responses, which shows me that they have a lack of understanding and they don’t feel prepared enough to make an educated decision on the statements we were providing them,” said Joy Rumble, the PIE Center researcher who led the study. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.
Aside from being unsure about purchasing genetically modified products, consumers also showed a lack of understanding when posed with more specific questions about genetically modified purchases.
Respondents showed more concern about purchasing meat from an animal that was fed genetically modified ingredients than about buying genetically modified produce. Forty-two percent of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement about meat, compared to 38 percent who felt the same about produce.
“It was surprising to me that the consumers were the most concerned about purchasing or eating something fed genetically modified food because that genetically modified product is further removed from the person,” Rumble said.
Although participants showed negativity toward genetically modified food, respondents seemed comfortable wearing clothing made from genetically modified fibers, with only 16 percent in disagreement.
“There’s a personal relevance thing going on where ingesting food is going to create more of a sense of concern than wearing a product that is genetically modified,” PIE Center director Tracy Irani said.
A recent study at Rutgers University showed similar results, with 53 percent of respondents saying they knew little to nothing about genetically modified foods. A quarter of respondents said they were completely unaware of them.
The Rutgers study further explored genetically modified product knowledge of consumers, finding that more than 40 percent of respondents incorrectly believed genetically modified apples and rice were on the market.
“With GMOs, there’s just so much lack of understanding, consumers can’t make a decision,” Rumble said. “That shows the opportunity to clarify the science and communicate about it in an effective manner.”
