PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY: A SURVEY OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS

Biotechnology is expected to produce significant economic and environmental benefits as a result of the development of new varieties of plants and animals and improved agricultural productivity. Seen by many as a key technology for the 21st century, and as an economic stimulus for the State of New Jersey and for the Nation, biotechnology has been the subject of intense scientific and public debate. Yet, while experts and activists continue to argue, genetic engineering techniques are already leading to agricultural products that may soon be on supermarket shelves.Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Present Risk, Future Risk Or No Risk - Measuring and Predicting Perceptions of Health Risks of a Hazardous Waste Landfill

Given that perceived risk is multidimensional, the authors seek better understanding by focusing on health risks and, more particularly, on their temporality. In this way, they attempt to measure more meaningfully psychological influences on risk perceptions

Consumers’ Desire for GM Labels: Is the Devil in the Details?

Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Americans’ Perceptions of Food Safety: A Comparative Study on Fresh Produce and Meat Products

Crop Production/Industries,

American Opinions of GM Food: Awareness, Knowledge, and Implications for Education

Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Public Response to Large-Scale Produce Contamination

Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, D12, D01, Q13,

Purchasing Organic Food in U.S. Food Systems: A Study of Attitudes and Practice

Consumers' preference for organic foods in the context of food aspects considered important in a consumption decision and socioeconomic variables has been examined in this study. The results indicate that food aspects related to naturalness, vegetarian-vegan and production location were critical enhancing regularity of organic food purchases. While the familiarity food aspect was viewed as a 'no' issue as far as organic food purchases are concerned. Results further indicate that females and young people buy organics on a regular basis. In terms of political affiliation and church attendance, the liberals and those who at least visit places worship once a month will also regularly buy organics.Consumer/Household Economics,

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard of 2016: Intersection of Technology and Public Understanding of Science in the United States

Genetically modified (GM) foods have been commercially available in the US for more than two decades, yet Americans know very little about them. With the implementation of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard of 2016, food manufacturers will be required to disclose the presence of GM ingredients in their food products. How food manufacturers communicate with consumers about GM ingredients may have consequences for public understanding of GM technology. In Study 1, we explore how food manufacturers characterize GM ingredients within their food products on SmartLabel, a digital disclosure website established by the Grocery Manufacturers Association. In Study 2, we test the effect of those characterizations on perceived risks and benefits of GM food. Overall, we find that varying characterizations of GM ingredients do not significantly affect perceived risks and benefits. Post hoc analyses suggest that knowledge of GM technology and moral evaluation of GM technology significantly predict perceived risks and benefits. Implications for the public communication of GM technology are discussed

Consumer Responses to GM Foods: Why are Americans so Different?

Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

The Role of Media in Shaping the Consumers’ Food Risk Perception and Behavior: A Case Study of Spinach Recall

A clear understanding of consumers’ perception and attitude toward food risk and their behavior to food recall is important in order to develop an effective crisis management program at the firm level as well as at the government level. This study will develop food risk profiles of US consumers based on their perceived food safety risk and attitude toward food safety. The role of media usage in shaping the risk profile will be examined. The preliminary results suggest that the risk profiles of households were shaped by media usage. While the “accountables” were more likely to search internet or get news from internet, the “conservatives” usually watched news on local TV.Agribusiness, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,