Consumer acceptance, valuation of and attitudes towards genetically modified food: Review and implications for food policy

• Published in: Food policy Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 99 - 111
• Main Authors: Costa-Font, Montserrat, Gil, José M., Traill, W. Bruce
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2008; Elsevier
• Series: Food Policy
• Subjects: Acceptance; Attitudes; consumer acceptance; consumer attitudes; Consumer preferences; consumer surveys; consumers; contingent valuation; food acceptability; Food policy; genetically modified foods; Genetically modified organisms; GM food; GMOs; Health; Public opinion; Valuation; Willingness to accept; Willingness-to-pay; Attitudes; Acceptance; GM food; GMOs; Willingness to accept
• ISSN: 0306-9192; 1873-5657
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2007.07.002

An increasing set of evidence has been reported on how consumers could potentially react to the introduction of genetically modified food. Studies typically contain some empirical evidence and some theoretical explanations of the data, however, to date limited effort has been posed on systematically reviewing the existing evidence and its implications for policy. This paper contributes to the literature by bringing together the published evidence on the behavioural frameworks and evidence on the process leading to the public acceptance of genetically modified (GM) food and organisms (GMOs). In doing so, we employ a set of clearly defined search tools and a limited number of comprehensive key words. The study attempts to gather an understanding of the published findings on the determinants of the valuation of GM food – both in terms of willingness to accept and the willing-to-pay a premium for non-GM food, trust with information sources on the safety and public health and ultimate attitudes underpinning such evidence. Furthermore, in the light of such evidence, we formulate some policy strategies to deal with public uncertainly regarding to GMOs and, especially GM food.