AgBioForum, vol. 07, no. 4 (2004)
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Item New Pathogen Testing Technologies and the Market for Food Safety Information(AgBioForum, 2004) Unnevehr, Laurian; Roberts, TanyaNew rapid and sensitive testing technologies, based on the biotechnology tools underlying modern medical diagnostics, have been developed for the food industry. The growing demand for food safety in the marketplace, combined with increased availability of new testing technologies, has led to shifts in both the demand and supply of food safety information. As a result, more food safety information is being generated, and this information is being used in firm management and food buyer decisions. These biotechnology-based testing methods are leading to better food safety performance in the marketplace.Item Role of Product Benefits and Potential Risks in Consumer Acceptance of Genetically Modified Foods(AgBioForum, 2004) Onyango, Benjamin; Nayga, Rodolfo M.; Schilling, Brian J.This study examines the role of product benefits and potential risks in consumer acceptance of genetically modified (GM) foods. The study analyzes consumer willingness to consume three meat products that confer specific benefits with an inherent risk. Results indicate that respondents who were provided both the product benefit and risk information were less likely to consume the three GM food products than those who were only provided the product benefit information. Results also suggest that males are consistently more likely to consume the three GM products than females. Those who take the time to read food labels were also consistently less likely to consume the three products considered in this study. Differences in social or political values (i.e., conservative or liberal) and trust in private and public entities were not significant factors affecting consumers' willingness to accept GM foods.Item Risk Perceptions of Urban Italian and United States Consumers for Genetically Modified Foods(AgBioForum, 2004) Harrison, R. Wes; Boccaletti, S. (Stefano); House, Lisa O.The effects of Italian and US consumers' risk perceptions, knowledge and awareness of GM foods, and trust in government agencies on willingness to buy GM foods is examined. Results indicated that effects of risk perception of GM foods to human health and the environment are similar between urban consumers in Italy and the United States. However, Italian consumers were found to be more sensitive to the potential risks that GM foods may pose to human health and the environment, relative to the US consumer. In general, Italians were also less likely to purchase GM foods relative to US consumers.Item The Distribution of Benefits from Bt Cotton Adoption in South Africa(AgBioForum, 2004) Pray, Carl E. (Carl Esek); Schimmelpfennig, David; Gouse, MarnusTechnology adoption can create income benefits for large and small-scale producers, input suppliers and consumers in developing countries. The circumstances under which this income creation can take place are shown to depend on a wide range of factors applicable across dualistic agricultural practices in South Africa. Whether for large commercial farms or small-scale agriculture, four factors influence the creation of surplus. World prices, subsidies in developed countries, domestic market structure, and the presence of substitute import markets each play a role in the distribution of rents from Bt cotton, an appropriate technology for South African farmers.Item Categories of GM Risk-Benefit Perceptions and Their Antecedents(AgBioForum, 2004) Moore, Melissa; Yee, Wallace M. S.; Morrow, J. L.; Lusk, Jayson; House, Lisa O.; Valli, Carlotta; Traill, Bruce; Jaeger, Sara R.The stated benefits and perceived risks of genetic modification (GM) cover very diverse issues, such as food safety, world food security, and the environment, that may differentially affect consumer acceptance. In this research, we hypothesize that consumers perceive up to eight dimensions: risks to business (farmers, agribusiness, etc.), benefits to business, risks and benefits to the environment, risks and benefits to the developing world, and risks and benefits to self and family. Moral concerns are also recognized. Using data collected in 2002 in the United States, France, and the UK, we investigate these different dimensions. Second, we analyze the extent to which the dimensions of risk-benefit perceptions can be explained by general attitudes widely used to explain food purchase behavior (such as general attitude to the environment, to technology, etc.), as well as by perceived knowledge of GM, level of education, and trust in various sources of information. In all locations, the majority of consumers only perceive a medium level of risk from GM products. Attitude to technology is the most important attitude variable -- those with a positive attitude to technology in general also have a positive attitude to GM technology. More Americans than Europeans fall into this category. Those who trust government and the food industry tend to think GM technology is less risky, whereas those who trust activists believe the opposite. Americans are more trusting of the former, Europeans of the latter. Level of education is positively associated with benefit perceptions and negatively associated with moral concerns. Location continues to play a limited independent role in explaining perceptions even after these factors have been taken into account.