Willingness-to-accept and purchase genetically modified rice with high folate content in Shanxi Province, China.
Neural-tube defects (NTDs) are considered to be the most common congenital malformations. As Shanxi Province, a poor region in the North of China, has one of the highest reported prevalence rates of NTDs in the world, folate fortification of rice is an excellent alternative to low intake of folate acid pills in this region. This paper investigates the relations between socio-demographic indicators, consumer characteristics (knowledge, consumer perceptions on benefits, risks, safety and price), willingness-to-accept and willingness-to-pay genetically modified (GM) rice. The consumer survey compromises 944 face-to-face interviews with rice consumers in Shanxi Province, China. Multivariate analyses consist of multinomial logistic regression and multiple regression. The results indicate that consumers generally are willing-to-accept GM rice, with an acceptance rate of 62.2%. Acceptance is influenced by objective knowledge and consumers' perceptions on benefits and risks. Willingness-to-pay GM rice is influenced by objective knowledge, risk perception and acceptance. Communication towards the use of GM rice should target mainly improving knowledge and consumers' perceptions on high-risk groups within Shanxi Province, in particular low educated women.
De Steur
H
H
Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
Gellynck
X
X
Storozhenko
S
S
Liqun
G
G
Lambert
W
W
Van Der Straeten
D
D
Viaene
J
J
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002681:China; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control; D012275:Oryza; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D005492:Folic Acid