Influence of Socio Economic Factors on Acceptance of Genetically Modified Foods
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
Genetically Modified (GM) foods are produced from crops and animals where the genes have
been altered in that species for a favorable trait. This trait could be favorable to consumers or for
farmers (Wachenheim, 2004). GM foods have become quite common in many countries though
they are not available in Sri Lanka. Given the rate of usage of GM foods in the world, in near
future Sri Lanka also will be using GM foods in the market. Contrastingly, there is a growing
concern in consuming GM foods or related products where GM foods are used as inputs. Since
there is no scientific proof for the side effects of GM foods consumption, it is always linked with
increasing health problems which occur to millions of people daily in the world. Given this
context, this pilot study attempts to study the acceptance of GM foods by Sri Lankan consumers
if they are introduced to Sri Lanka and more specifically which cohort of Socio-demographic
group prefers GM foods (Deodhar et al., 2007; Kimenju and De Groote, 2008). This would
support the companies and policy makers to readjust their preferences and policy formulations
(Moro and Boccaletti, 2000; Huang et al., 2006.
Methodology
A group of 120 Agriculture undergraduates from Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka were
chosen for the study. Rather than the general consumers university students are familiar with
GM foods and most probably they will be the society in the years to come when GM foods
become a common good in the market. Further the present consumers might not be familiar with
the GM concepts and interviewing the people with understanding on GM is costly and time
taking activity. They are also a subset of consumers in the general market. Further university
cohort represents different people from different socio-economic background. Participation was
voluntary. Questionnaire included sections on socio-economic factors, Knowledge, awareness
and perceptions on GM foods, and their willingness to consume GM foods. Descriptive analysis
and non parametric tests (chi square analysis and t tests) were performed to check the
relationship between preference
determinants.
for GM foods and socio economic
and demographic
Results and Discussion
Majority of the sample are female (64.4%). About 52% are final year students followed by
32.5% of third year students. Most of them come from Semi urban areas (56.8%) and 27% are
ruralites. About 43.2% of the households are earning a monthly income of between Rs. 25,000
to Rs. 40,000. Around 21% of them are getting a monthly house hold income above Rs. 40,000.
56% of respondents think that GM foods are beneficial. If GM foods are introduced in Sri
Lanka, 56% say that they will not buy.
Table 1 shows the association between familiarity with GM techniques and factors like gender,
income, location/residence and year of study. There exist a relationship between familiarity of
GM foods and gender, whereas no relationship with familiarity on recombinant technology and
hybrid breeding. As expected all the three statements show an association with year of study.
Usually it is expected that with higher education in the sciences field they tend to show much
familiarity with subjects like this. Income and residence suggest that there is a mixed result in
association with GM foods, Recombinant technology, and hybrid breeding.
Description
Keywords
Agriculture, Export Agriculture, Food Science, Food Technology, Genetics, Health Science