Consumer perception of risk associated with eating genetically engineered soybeans is less in the presence of a perceived consumer benefit.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether perceived benefit alters personal risk perception associated with eating genetically engineered soybeans, consumer desire for labeling, preferred phrase on a label symbol, and desired information in an educational brochure.


METHODS
Comparison of responses of two consumer groups who completed one of two survey versions.


METHODS
One hundred fifty supermarket shoppers, age 21 years and older, for each survey or n=300 total. Focus groups and a pilot test were used to develop the final survey in which consumers read a description of a genetically engineered soybean with either no obvious consumer benefit or an obvious consumer benefit and then completed a set of attitude questions and evaluated a voluntary label design and educational brochure content. Main outcome measures were mean opinion scores of personal risk and desire for labeling and ranking of desired label phrase and brochure topics.


METHODS
Chi;(2) and t Tests were used.


RESULTS
Consumers reading about the soybean with obvious consumer benefit were significantly more comfortable eating these than those reading about the soybean with no obvious consumer benefit (2.9+/-1.1 vs 3.4+/-1.0, respectively; P</=.001). However, the groups did not differ in desire for labeling of foods made with these soybeans or preferred brochure content. They did differ significantly in preferred phrase on the symbol (P</=.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Dietitians can use descriptions of genetic engineering applications such as those in this study to help consumers assess these applications. Dietitians can play a critical role in explaining labeling terms and designing educational materials when the FDA finalizes voluntary labeling regulations for genetically engineered foods.
Brown
J Lynne
JL
Department of Food Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. f9a@psu.edu
Ping
Yanchao
Y
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000592:standards*; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D010465:Perception; D010865:Pilot Projects; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012307:Risk Factors; D013025:Glycine max / Q000235:genetics*