Do Organic Consumers Oppose Genetically Modified Food Stronger than Others? Results of a Consumer Research in Germany

The majority of consumers, in particular European consumers oppose genetic modifi-cation of food. Although consumers oppose strongly genetic modification of food, genetically modified food production increases world wide. The co-existence of both, genetically modified food production and food production free of genetic modification cannot be ensured. There is always a risk that non-genetically modified food gets contaminated despite safety regulations. Thus, even organic production, which is supposed to be free of genetic modification, is endangered and can maybe not ensure to produce food definitely free of genetic modification. Against that background, this consumer research focuses on organic consumers and their attitudes towards geneti-cally modified food. The findings indicate clearly that organic consumer oppose ge-netically modified food stronger than others

Is it Who You Ask or How You Ask? Findings of a Meta-Analysis on Genetically Modified Food Valuation Studies

This paper presents a meta-analysis of 46 primary studies reporting a total of 108 genetically modified food valuation estimates. The analysis shows that elicitation methods and formats used in the primary studies affect valuation estimates much more than do sample characteristics. Moreover, consumer aversion to genetically modified food seems to have increased over time. Previous findings are confirmed that consumer valuation strongly depends on the type of food product and varies among regions. --meta-analysis,consumer preferences,genetically modified food

Consumer Response to Genetically Modified Foods

The consumer trait and characteristic identification, and corresponding relationship to the genetically modified food product's negative reactions was determined from a 354 respondent, 130 item mailed survey. The survey and partially mediated model from Mowen's 3M Model of Personality and Motivation explained how personality traits influence genetically modified food reactions.Consumer/Household Economics,

Neoclassical consumer theory and genetically modified food

Three axioms underpin consumer choice in neoclassical theory: weak order, independence, and continuity. Two of these axioms may not hold, however, for consumers’ choices regarding genetically modified (GM) food. Consumers may evaluate product attributes differently depending on whether the food is GM or not, violating attribute independence. Some consumers may not want GM food at all, violating continuity. The axioms were empirically investigated with a choice experiment survey. The paper discusses evidence of violations of both independence and continuity, as well as a non-neoclassical approach to modelling consumer choice.genetically modified food, neoclassical, bounded rationality, choice modelling, Agricultural and Food Policy, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

A Meta-Analysis of Genetically Modified Food Valuation Studies

A plethora of research in recent years has been devoted to estimating consumer demand for genetically modified food, an important piece of information needed to create appropriate public policy. To examine this body of work, a meta-analysis was conducted of 25 studies that, in aggregate, report 57 valuations for GM food. Findings indicate as much as 89% of the variation in existing value estimates for genetically modified food can be explained by an econometric model that controls for (a) the characteristics of the sample of consumers studied, (b) the method for eliciting consumers' valuation, and (c) characteristics of the food being valued. Each of these factors has a statistically significant effect on estimated premiums for non-GM food. Results of this study effectively summarize the extant literature on consumer demand for genetically modified food and permit the creation of some stylized facts that are not conditional on the results of one particular study. This paper also illustrates the effect of methodological choices on valuation estimates and reports a model which allows researchers and policy makers to quickly generate valuation measures for use in marketing or cost benefit analysis.biotechnology, consumer acceptance, genetically modified food, willingness to pay, Consumer/Household Economics,

EXPLAINING INTERNATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD LABELING REGULATIONS

Replaced with revised version of paper 07/13/04.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Consumer Response to Genetically Modified Food Products in Japan

In Japan, a large U.S. export market, there has been growing public opposition against genetically modified (GM) foods. Using a dichotomous choice contingent valuation method, findings show the discount needed for Japanese Seikyou consumers to purchase GM food products is positively affected (i.e., a greater discount is required) by higher levels of self-reported risk perceptions toward GM food, higher levels of concern about food safety and the environment, higher self-reported knowledge about biotechnology, education levels, and income. Interestingly, gender does not significantly affect the discount needed for GM food. Further, it can be inferred from the results that a transformation of Japanese consumers' perceptions and attitudes is needed for GM food products to successfully enter the Japanese market.Consumer/Household Economics,

The effects of label design characteristics on perceptions of genetically modified food

Objective. To explore the effects on perceptions of labelling food for genetically modified content. Background: there is increasing public pressure for the compulsory labelling of genetically modified food content on all food products, and yet little is known about how the design and content of such food labels will influence product perceptions. The current research draws upon warning label research - a field in which the effect of label design manipulations on perceptions of, and responses to, potential or perceived risks is well documented. Method. Two experiments are reported that investigate how label design features influence the perception of genetically modified foods. The effects of label colour (red, blue and green), wording style (definitive vs. probabilistic and explicit vs. non-explicit) and information source (government agency, consumer group and manufacturer) on hazard perceptions and purchase intentions were measured. Results. Hazard perceptions and purchase intentions were both influenced by label design characteristics in predictable ways. Any reference to genetic modification, even if the label is stating that the product is free of genetically modified ingredients, increased hazard perception, and decreased purchase intentions, relative to a no-label condition. Conclusion. Label design effects generalise from warning label research to influence the perception of genetically modified foods in predictable ways. Application. The design of genetically modified food labels. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC