Frontiers in Food Science and Technology published a study that highlights how important it is to educate consumers about gene editing and agricultural biotechnology.
The study found consumers aged 30 or younger are “less likely to avoid gene-edited foods,” reports Food Business News.
Additionally, 40% of consumers over the age of 60 would avoid GE foods, in contrast to 22% of millennials and Gen Z.
“Those who view science and technology positively, trust agricultural biotech companies, and possess a good understanding of gene editing technology also are less likely to avoid gene-edited foods,” Food Business News says.
According to the study, those who are more inclined to consume gene-edited foods see science and technology as the main tools for resolving social issues. They often don’t have strong opinions on how food should be produced and have a high degree of faith in government food regulators and the agriculture biotechnology industry.
“This study highlights a need for better consumer-focused communication,” the authors concluded. “Moving forward, we expect that the US public’s willingness to eat and purposeful avoidance of gene edited food will change as they are engaged more readily on the developmental process and products in this area.”
Researchers from North Carolina State University, Iowa State University, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers surveyed 2,000 Americans as part of a “nationally representative sample.” They “plan to repeat the survey every two years for the next decade to track how public attitudes on gene-edited foods will shift as more products come onto the market.”
