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Culture And Technological Innovation: Impact Of Institutional Trust And Appreciation Of Nature On Attitudes Towards Food Biotechnology In The U.S. And Germany, Hans Peters, John Lang, Magdalena Sawicka, William Hallman
Culture And Technological Innovation: Impact Of Institutional Trust And Appreciation Of Nature On Attitudes Towards Food Biotechnology In The U.S. And Germany, Hans Peters, John Lang, Magdalena Sawicka, William Hallman
John T. Lang
Using ‘general trust in institutions’ and ‘concepts of nature’ as examples, the article analyzes the influence of cultural factors on sense-making of food biotechnology and the resulting public attitudes in the USA and Germany. According to the hypotheses investigated, different levels of trust and appreciation of nature explain part of the well-known differences in attitudes between both countries. The analysis of a cross-cultural survey of the general population shows that appreciation of nature is a predictor of attitudes in both countries. The higher appreciation of nature in Germany partly explains why attitudes towards food biotechnology are more negative in Germany …
Understanding Receptivity To Genetically Modified Foods, John Lang, Susanna Priest
Understanding Receptivity To Genetically Modified Foods, John Lang, Susanna Priest
John T. Lang
Consumers in the United States and Europe have not fully embraced genetically modified (gm) foods. In the United States, public opinion remains undecided, whereas in Europe, people tend to regard such foods in a negative light. While opposition to gm products may be more vigorous in Europe, consumer enthusiasm for these foods is actually quite limited on both sides of the Atlantic. Policy makers and industry executives have struggled to grasp why consumers have not greeted these foods more enthusiastically. Contrary to apparent industry opinion, economics at the consumer level is not the only factor to consider when trying to …
Who Does The Public Trust? The Case Of Genetically Modified Food In The United States, John Lang, William Hallman
Who Does The Public Trust? The Case Of Genetically Modified Food In The United States, John Lang, William Hallman
John T. Lang
Trust is important for the perception of many types of risk, including those relating to genetically modified (GM) food. Who the public trusts in any given circumstance, however, is not well understood. In this study of public trust regarding GM food, an exploratory factor analysis with Promax rotation reveals public classification of three common institutional types—evaluators, watchdogs, and merchants. The structure of relationships among these stakeholders can act to enable or constrain public support for this new technology. Evaluators—scientists, universities, and medical professionals—are the most trusted. Watchdogs—consumer advocacy organizations, environmental organizations, and media sources—are moderately trusted. Merchants—grocers and grocery stores, …
I Will Not Eat It With A Fox; I Will Not Eat It In A Box: What Determines Acceptance Of Gm Food For American Consumers?, Venkata Puduri, Ramu Govindasamy, John Lang, Benjamin Onyango
I Will Not Eat It With A Fox; I Will Not Eat It In A Box: What Determines Acceptance Of Gm Food For American Consumers?, Venkata Puduri, Ramu Govindasamy, John Lang, Benjamin Onyango
John T. Lang
This article suggests differential acceptance and approval of genetic modification involving plant or animal genes. The results can contribute to our understanding of GM food acceptance and be used to derive marketing strategies and in policy formulation. Similar to previous studies, this article suggests that demographic, socio-economic, consumer value attributes, and trust in key stakeholders help drive acceptance of genetic modification. In general, the public is more approving of plant-based GM than animal-based GM. Furthermore, the results of this survey suggest that a better understanding of biotechnology, trust in the GM regulatory framework, and biotechnology corporations’ motives are critical for …
Americans And Genetically Modified Food: Knowledge, Opinion And Interest In 2004., William Hallman, W. Hebden, Cara Cuite, Helen Aquino, John Lang
Americans And Genetically Modified Food: Knowledge, Opinion And Interest In 2004., William Hallman, W. Hebden, Cara Cuite, Helen Aquino, John Lang
John T. Lang
This report presents the results from the third in a series of studies examining public perception of genetically modified (GM) food in the United States. All three studies were based on survey results of separate, nationally representative samples of approximately 1,200 Americans taken in 2001, 2003, and 2004. While the survey instrument on which the current report is based maintained many of the same measures of awareness and attitude as its two predecessors, it also included several new queries that assess the ability of respondents to recall specific news stories related to GM food, their interest in the topic, and …
Expertise, Trust, And Communication About Food Biotechnology, John Lang, Karen O'Neill, William Hallman
Expertise, Trust, And Communication About Food Biotechnology, John Lang, Karen O'Neill, William Hallman
John T. Lang
Experts typically presume to speak with authority about complex concerns, such as agricultural biotechnology. Research indi- cates, however, that the effectiveness of risk communication depends on perceptions about the trustworthiness of the institu- tions and experts providing information. This exploratory study investigates how experts from a range of food-associated pro- fessions and institutions perceive their own roles in communi- cating about biotechnology. Most of the respondents rated scientists and other experts as most likely to tell the truth about biotechnology, but many felt that members of the public were most influenced by the mass media and by critics of biotechnol- …
Public Perceptions Of Genetically Modified Foods: A National Study Of American Knowledge And Opinion., William Hallman, W. Hebden, Helen Aquino, Cara Cuite, John Lang
Public Perceptions Of Genetically Modified Foods: A National Study Of American Knowledge And Opinion., William Hallman, W. Hebden, Helen Aquino, Cara Cuite, John Lang
John T. Lang
The report begins with an investigation of Americans’ awareness of the presence of genetically modified (GM) ingredients in the foods they encounter everyday. Next, the report describes Americans’ actual and perceived knowledge of science, biotechnology and food production. It then examines American opinions about GM foods in general, along with their opinions on a variety of existing and potential GM food products with direct or indirect consumer benefits. The report discusses the relationship between opinions of GM food and a variety of factors, including demographics, knowledge of biotechnology, purchasing behaviors and styles of food selection. Finally, it describes Americans’ thoughts …
Public Perceptions Of Genetically Modified Foods: Americans Know Not What They Eat, William Hallman, Adesoji Adelaja, Brian Schilling, John Lang
Public Perceptions Of Genetically Modified Foods: Americans Know Not What They Eat, William Hallman, Adesoji Adelaja, Brian Schilling, John Lang
John T. Lang
Biotechnology stands to be a defining technology in the future of food and agriculture. Proponents argue that science and industry are poised to bring consumers a wide variety of products that have potential for meeting basic food needs, as well as delivering a wide-range of health, environmental and economic benefits. Opponents counter that the potential exists for unintended consequences, ranging from ecological disruption to adverse human health implications, and that these risks are not fully understood. Fundamental questions exist, however, regarding the general public’s position on food products derived with the use of biotechnology.