Influence of Socio Economic Factors on Acceptance of Genetically Modified Foods

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dc.contributor.authorDayasena, Y.A.P.K.
dc.contributor.authorSivashankar, P.
dc.contributor.authorHettiarachchi, I.C.
dc.date.accessioned2022-02-09T10:45:43Z
dc.date.available2022-02-09T10:45:43Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractGenetically 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.en_US
dc.identifier.isbn9789550481088
dc.identifier.urihttp://www.erepo.lib.uwu.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/123456789/8327/22-PLT-Influence%20of%20Socio%20Economic%20Factors%20on%20Acceptance%20of%20.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUva Wellassa University of Sri Lankaen_US
dc.subjectAgricultureen_US
dc.subjectExport Agricultureen_US
dc.subjectFood Scienceen_US
dc.subjectFood Technologyen_US
dc.subjectGeneticsen_US
dc.subjectHealth Scienceen_US
dc.titleInfluence of Socio Economic Factors on Acceptance of Genetically Modified Foodsen_US
dc.title.alternativeResearch Symposium 2015en_US
dc.typeOtheren_US
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