AgBioForum, vol. 19, no. 1 (2016)
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Item Towards genetically engineered crops in Ghanaian agriculture : confined field trials and the 'next-door neighbor effect' theory(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2016) Agorsor, Israel D. K.; Yafetto, Levi; Otwe, Emmanuel P.; Galyuon, Isaac K. A.Genetically engineered (GE) crops have a role to play in increasing agricultural productivity. However, efforts to promote genetic engineering agriculture in Africa have been met with some amount of resistance. Here, we report recent efforts to promote GE agriculture in Ghana, a West African nation considered one of Africa's model democracies and growing economies. Ghana is currently running confined field trials of some selected GE crops, but analysis of ongoing genetically modified organism (GMO) debates and published opinions shows a considerable amount of opposition to GE agriculture and GMOs in Ghana. This notwithstanding, we suggest that Bt cotton cultivation in Burkina Faso--Ghana's immediate neighbor to the north--may play a role in eventually putting Ghana on the map of GE agriculture countries, a phenomenon reported elsewhere which we have described in this article as the 'next-door neighbor effect.' The biosafety implications of the 'next-door neighbor effect' are also discussed here. We conclude that the 'next-door neighbor effect'--in addition to corporate and political interests--will explain the entry of GE crops into some new markets.Item But what do rural consumers in Africa think about GM food?(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2016) De Groote, Hugo; Gitonga, Zachary M.; Kimenju, Simon C.; Keter, Fredric; Ngigi, ObadiahSo far, few African countries have accepted genetically modified (GM) crops, despite their high potential for increasing food production. The opinion of African consumers is missing in the debate, especially of those in rural areas. Therefore, a survey was conducted among rural consumers in the major maize-growing areas of Kenya to gauge their acceptance of GM food. One-third of respondents were aware of GM crops, and their main information source was radio. Most respondents would buy GM maize meal at the same price as conventional maize meal and even pay a premium. Results show that the rural population of Kenya lacks access to relevant information to make informed decisions and contribute to the debate on the use of GM crops in Africa. A concerted, public-policy effort is therefore needed in which the wider use of radio to reach the rural population should be explored. Provided with balanced information, rural consumers show a high degree of acceptance of GM maize.Item Can science and geneticsliteracy affect student perception of genetically modified organisms?(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2016) Nunez, Gerardo H.; Kovaleski, Alisson P.; Casamali, Bruno; Darnell, Rebecca L.Observational studies have shown that educational attainment is related to heightened consumer perception of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified food (GMF). However, there is little information uncoupling the cognitive and social effects of educational attainment on the perception of GMOs and GMF. A survey experiment was designed to measure the effect of science and genetics literacy on consumer perception and acceptance of GMOs and GMF. A sample population of college students answered a questionnaire either before or after a 50-minute lecture about science and genetics concepts relevant to GMO development and cultivation. This lecture was assumed to increase science and genetics literacy in this population. Comparison of pre-lecture and post-lecture responses revealed that science and genetics literacy had--at least--a short-term effect on student perception of GMOs, which led to increased desirability of GMF, including food containing transgenic and first-generation GMOs.Item Colorado residents trusted sources of agricultural, biotechnology, and food information(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2016) Martin, Michael J.; Hill, Rebecca L.; Van Sandt, Anders; Thilmany, Dawn D.This research examines the trusted sources for information related to agriculture, biotechnology, and food quality, nutrition, and safety. We use correlation analysis and differences in means tests to explore trust levels using a survey of Coloradans-- public attitudes toward agriculture, food, and the environment. Results indicate that individuals trust information they receive about agriculture and food quality, nutrition, and safety from a variety of sources, though not all sources are trusted equally. In addition, individuals-- average trust differed for information related to agriculture and information related to food quality nutrition and safety. Demographics also played a significant role on the sources individuals trusted, particularly in regards to age and income. Additionally, individuals who were skeptical of controversial issues related to biotechnology trusted all sources of information less, except for the universities and research organizations, which remained neutral. The implications of the results to agricultural literacy work are discussed.Item The cost of a GMO-free market basket of food in the United States(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2016) Goodwin, Barry K.; Marra, Michele C.; Piggott, Nicholas E.We examine the consumer cost consequences of choosing GMO-free food over food that contains GMOs. Using text-mining algorithms applied to detailed product descriptions contained in a proprietary database of individual GMO and GMO-free foods at the retail level, we find that, when directly compared item by item, GMO-free food costs an average of 33% more than a comparable food item that is not GMO-free. When compared on a per-ounce basis, GMO-free foods cost an average of 73% more. Generalizing to the cost of a typical market basket of food consumed by American households, GMO-free food consumption would increase the average family food budget from $9,462 to $12,181 per year.