UNDERSTANDING THE DETERMINANTS OF AND MALE/FEMALE DIFFERENCES IN CONSUMER ATTITUDES TOWARDS GETNETICALLY ENGINEERED SALMON
Open Access
- Author:
- Qin, Wei
- Graduate Program:
- Food Science
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- December 18, 2006
- Committee Members:
- Juanita Lynne Brown, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Gregory Ray Ziegler, Committee Member
Koushik Seetharaman, Committee Member
Johann Baumgartner, Committee Member - Keywords:
- genetic engineering
attitude
consumer perceptions
gender
genetically modified
salmon - Abstract:
- Consumer attitudes towards genetically engineered (GE) foods will determine the future use and expansion of this technology. However, their reactions seem application-dependent. It is, therefore, critical to understand consumer reactions on a case-by-case basis. As GE salmon is the first animal application reviewed by FDA, this application was used as a case study. The aim of our research was to understand the determinants of consumer attitudes towards introducing GE salmon into the US food supply, to explore male/female differences in these attitudes and to test two plausible hypotheses (safety concern and institutional trust) to elucidate this sex difference. To accomplish these, a series (n=12) focus groups were firstly used to explore participants perceived consequences of and concerns about approval of GE salmon, to examine the level of information needed that would help participants reach an informed opinion, and to observe male/female differences. Then, two pieces of introductory information varying in formats (perspectives vs. consequences) were developed to address the needs voiced in the focus groups. We tested and selected the consequence information for further use as it was likely to motivate the readers to scrutinize the content, achieve significant knowledge gain, and help the readers achieve greater confidence in understanding the issues surrounding the introduction of GE salmon into the food system. In the final step, a survey of 501 individuals was conducted in Pennsylvania. An attitude model (R2~0.8) was developed based on two subsamples using structural equation modeling. The model indicated that positive attitudes towards GE salmon could be promoted by trust in government agencies and industry organizations, higher level of knowledge, and perceived health benefits; and dampened by perceived environmental risks, concerns about unknown effects, ethical issues, and lack of choice. Attitudinal male/female differences were attributed to women’s lower trust in government agencies and scientific organizations, and higher level of perceived health risks compare to men—supporting both the safety concern and institutional trust hypothesis. But the essential basis of this attitudinal male/female difference appeared to be women’s higher concern about the unknown effects and ethical issues of this application. Implications for developers and regulators of GE foods are discussed.