Considering the relatively large sample size in the most recent study, these findings may be more trustworthy than those from smaller surveys or those conducted by pro-GMO organizations. An online survey conducted last year by GMO Answers, involving 1,213 U.S. adults, revealed that 69% lacked confidence in their understanding of GMOs, and about one-third expressed comfort with having GMOs in their food. Conversely, a study this year from the Hartman Group indicated that nearly half of consumers would steer clear of products containing GMOs, while a third prefer not to support companies that utilize them. It remains unclear why individuals with the most extreme opinions about GMOs tend to have the least knowledge about them. However, ignorance is certainly not beneficial when it comes to scientific issues. The authors of the study pointed out that altering these consumers’ attitudes may be challenging, as those with the least knowledge are less inclined to seek out or be receptive to new information.
Three of the researchers had previously examined consumer attitudes towards GMO foods and published their findings last summer. Their research showed that people continue to be skeptical and “grossed out” by genetically modified foods because they perceive GMOs as unnatural. In this latest study, these researchers collaborated with another team investigating the same subject. According to Sydney Scott, an assistant professor of marketing at Washington University in St. Louis, the goal is to gain insight into current consumer perceptions regarding GMOs. “It’s assessing the state of the regulatory landscape and existing research on attitudes,” she stated in a prior release.
The researchers also posed similar questions about two other complex scientific issues that may be polarizing: gene therapy and climate change. They received comparable responses regarding gene therapy, but the situation was different for climate change. They suggested that the debate surrounding climate change might be so politically charged that respondents’ views were influenced more by group affiliation than by individual knowledge.
Food companies could leverage these study results to better educate consumers about products containing GMOs. Confusion and differing reports continue to polarize consumer opinions, and much of the information available comes from strongly anti-GMO consumer groups or organizations with financial or other connections to the biotechnology sector. Consequently, it can be challenging for the average consumer to determine whom to trust without access to more impartial information sources. Furthermore, with mandatory GMO labeling set to take effect next January, this issue may become even more perplexing.
In a different context, it’s essential to consider the best time to take calcium citrate, as understanding the right timing can contribute to better health outcomes. By integrating reliable information into consumer education, food companies can help bridge the gap in knowledge about GMOs, just as individuals can benefit from knowing when to take supplements like calcium citrate for optimal absorption.