9/21/2015
Public Perceptions of
Genetically Modified Food
Cara L. Cuite, PhD
Associate Research Professor
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Department of Human Ecology
September 17, 2015
• Long before we began to understand evolution and
genetics, humans have been improving plant and
animal species through a variety of techniques,
including selective breeding and cross breeding.
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Genetic Modification/Genetic Engineering
• This process allows scientists to select specific genetic
traits from one organism and insert them into the genetic
code of another organism.
– E.g., Inserting a bacterium gene into a corn plant, or an ocean
pout gene into a salmon.
• This was not possible using conventional methods.
• As a result, agricultural products can be improved in a
faster, more accurate way.
What to Call this Process?
• Genetic Engineering?
• Genetic Modification?
• Biotechnology?
• What you call it matters.
– 1/3 have no first thought or image related to the terms
• Biotechnology evokes the most neutral
responses
• GM and GE evoke more negative images
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What to Call this Process?
Most of the world refers to the technology as genetic
modification (GM) and to its products as genetically modified
organisms or GMOs.
Google Trend Search Results
•
•
•
•
Agricultural Biotechnology:
Genetically Engineered:
Genetically Modified:
GMO:
~ 4,800,000 results
~ 5,140,000 results
~ 15,100,000 results
~ 82,100,000 results
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European Labeling
• Pre-packaged products containing >.09% GMO
ingredients, the list of ingredients must indicate
"genetically modified" or "produced from genetically
modified [name of the organism]."
US Labeling - Proposed
Genetically
Modified
• Missouri
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island*
Genetically
Engineered
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Alaska
Colorado
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Minnesota
• New
Hampshire
• New York
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island*
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia
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“GMO” is politicized
• GMO has been widely used by opponents of this
technique as well as labeling advocacy groups.
Genetically Modified Foods or GM Foods
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How much of our food is GM?
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Rapid Adoption in the US
• The United States remains the largest producer of GM
agricultural products.
• More than 181 million acres planted in GM crop varieties.
• US harvests about 40% of the world's GM crops.
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US Crop Estimates - 2015
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
7
6
6
6
5
Conventional
77
94
94
12
4
Corn
79
Stacked Traits
95
Herbicide
Tolerance
BT
10
5
Canola
Soy
Cotton Sugar
Beet
USDA/ ERS: Genetically engineered varieties of corn, upland cotton, and soybeans, by State and for the United States, 2000-2015
Other GM Crops in the US
• Herbicide Tolerant Alfalfa
• Virus Resistant Squash and Papaya
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GM Crops in the US (on the way)
• Apples that resist browning
• Potatoes that resist bruising and produce low levels of
acrylamide when cooked at high heat
GM Crops (Approved but not
Commercialized)
• Herbicide-Tolerant Tobacco
• Herbicide-Tolerant Rice
• Herbicide-Tolerant Flax
•
•
•
•
Virus Resistant Plum
Color-Modified Rose
Delayed Softening Tomato
Male-Sterile Chicory
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Prevalence of GM Ingredients?
1. The U.S. government does
not track nor trace GM
ingredients.
2. GM varieties are
sometimes mixed with
non-GM varieties when
stored.
3. Corn, soy, sugar, and
canola are four of the most
common ingredients in
processed foods.
4. The majority of soy, corn,
canola, and sugar beet
used in processed foods is
genetically modified.
Products that Might Contain GM Ingredients
• Soda, juice, candy, cookies, sweet
snacks, cereal, or any other product
that contains corn components or
corn syrup
• Products with sugar from sugar
beets
– 54% of the sugar sold in the US
• Food with soy-based flavorings,
vegetable broth, hydrolyzed
vegetable proteins, foods that contain
gums or starches
• Canola oil or products that contain
canola ingredients
• Products containing cotton seed oil
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GM Ingredients
• Estimates are that as much as 80% of processed foods on
US shelves contain “GM ingredients.”
•
Bottom Line:
Most of the processed foods
you eat likely contain
ingredients derived from GM
crops.
• BUT…This is hard to determine exactly, because the
refining of most oils, corn syrup, and sugar removes any
DNA from the product.
• So what is a GM ingredient?
RUTGERS SURVEY
1. What does the American public know about
GM foods?
2. How does the American public feel about
GM foods?
3. Do Americans want labels on GM foods?
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Survey Methodology
• Conducted using GfK Custom Research online survey
panel
• Data collected October 23-27, 2013
• 1,148 respondents
• Data weighted to project to the US population
• Margin of error +/- 3.1%
Sample demographics
48.4% Women
Mean age 50 years
Education
• 40% high school or less
• 28% some college or associates degree
• 32% bachelors degree or higher
Ethnicity
• 78% White, non-Hispanic
• 7% Black, non-Hispanic
• 10% Hispanic
• 3% multi-racial and other
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Survey definition of GM foods
• Recruitment materials did not mention GM.
• Initial questions about reading food labels and information people
thought should be on food labels.
• Introduction to GM:
“The remainder of this survey will focus on genetically modified foods.
Genetic modification involves methods that make it possible for scientists
to create new plants and animals by taking parts of the genes of one plant
or animal and inserting them into the cells of another plant or animal.
This process is sometimes called genetic engineering or biotechnology, and
the plants and animals that result are sometimes called GMOs, or
genetically modified organisms. Foods using ingredients made from these
are often referred to as genetically modified foods or GM foods.”
Awareness of the Existence of GM Foods
• Before this survey, were you aware that genetically modified
foods existed?
– 25% say no
Rutgers 2013 Survey
N=1148
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Heard or Read?
• How much have you heard or read about genetically modified
foods?
48%
•
•
•
•
•
A great deal 4%
A fair amount 13%
Some 33%
Very little 29%
Nothing at all 19%
• Refused 2%
Rutgers 2013 Survey
N=1148
How Much Do You Know?
• How much do you know about genetically modified foods?
53%
•
•
•
•
•
A great deal 2%
A fair amount 11%
Some 32%
Very little 32%
Nothing at all 21%
• Refused 2%
Rutgers 2013 Survey
N=1148
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Ever Talked about GM Foods?
• Have you ever discussed genetically modified foods with
anyone?
– 2/3 say no
Rutgers 2013 Survey
N=1148
GM Foods in Stores Now?
• As far as you know, are there any foods containing genetically
modified ingredients in supermarkets right now?
–
–
–
–
Yes 43%
No 4%
Don’t know 51%
Refused 2%
Rutgers 2013 Survey
N=1148
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9/21/2015
Perceived Availability of GM Foods
Percent of 491 Consumers who said GM foods are
available in U.S. Supermarkets
GM food products
currently available in
supermarkets
GM food products NOT
currently available in
supermarkets
Rutgers 2013 Survey
n=491
Ever Eaten GM Foods?
• As far as you know, have you ever eaten any food containing
genetically modified ingredients?
– Only 26% say yes
Rutgers 2013 Survey
N=1148
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Do Americans Have Opinions About GM
Foods?
• Our survey shows that people say they do not know
much about GM foods.
– They are not talking or reading much about it.
• And why would they?
• This doesn’t mean that they do not or should not have
an opinion about it.
Public Opinions About GM Foods
• Relatively uninformed opinions can be considered
“uncrystallized.”
• These opinions tend to be:
–
–
–
–
Not well thought through.
Not strongly held.
Subject to change.
Influenced by the wording of questions.
• They are still important.
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Approval of GM - Plants
Approval of GM - Plants
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Approval of GM - Animals
Approval of GM - Animals
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What is the Basis for Opinions of GM foods?
• Would you say your opinion of genetically modified foods is
based on a general feeling or specific issues?
–
–
–
–
General feeling – 50%
Both – 34%
Specific issues – 15%
Refused – 1%
N=1148
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Issues of Concern
%
“Please put a check next to all the issues that are related to your
opinion of GM foods.”
Beliefs about GM foods
We know people aren’t reading or talking much about GM
foods, but…
• What are they reading about GM foods?
• What stories or rumors have they heard?
– If they haven’t heard them, how likely are they to believe them?
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KFC
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Decisions About The Veracity of GM Stories and Information
Hallman, Cuite, Morin, 2013
Decisions About The Veracity of Claims / “Facts”
Hallman, Cuite, Morin, 2013
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Attitudes about GM Food
I prefer to buy organic foods when I can
I would pay more for food that was NOT
GM
I think it is safe for me to eat GM food
I am careful never to buy food with GM
ingredients
I don't care if the food I buy contains GM
ingredients
Foods labeled as organic should be allowed
to contain GM ingredients
Foods labeled as natural should be allowed
to contain GM ingredients
0%
20%
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Strongly Disagree
Refused
40%
60%
80%
100%
Somewhat Disagree
Note. “Unsure” was not offered as a response option
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9/21/2015
Do Americans Think GM Foods Should
Be Labeled?
Labels are not currently required
• Based on the scientific evidence, the FDA has concluded
that current GM crops are not substantially different
from their conventionally bred counterparts, and thus
do not require labels.
• The FDA does require special labeling of a GM food
when the characteristics of a familiar food product have
been substantially altered.
• E.g., if an allergen is introduced, or its nutritional qualities have
been altered.
• Even then the label doesn’t have to say GM.
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USDA Organic Standard
• Products meeting the USDA organic standard are not
permitted to contain GM ingredients.
Exceptions to organic rule
• The organic standard does not apply to GM animal
products.
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Voluntary program for label certifying as
NOT containing GM ingredients
Label Reading
• Beyond just looking at the brand name, how often do you read
food labels?
18%
•
•
•
•
•
Always – 10%
Frequently – 36%
Sometimes – 36%
Rarely – 14%
Never – 4%
• Refused – 1%
N=1148
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Are GM Foods Required to be Labeled?
• Are foods that contain genetically modified ingredients
required by law to be labeled as such in the US?
– Only 26% say no
Rutgers 2013 Survey
N=1148
Do Americans want GM foods labeled?
• How you ask matters…
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Labeling Question 1
BEFORE MENTIONING GM FOODS
• What information (if any) would you like to see on food labels
that is not already on there?
• No additional information needed—70%
•
•
•
•
•
Presence of genetically modified ingredients – 7%
Country/Place of origin – 6%
Clearer information about ingredients – 4%
More information about nutrition – 4%
Others (each less than 2%)
Labeling Question 2
AFTER DEFINING GM FOODS
• How important is it to you that the following information be
on a food label? (very or extremely important)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Grown using hormones (63%),
Grown using pesticides (62%),
Raised using antibiotics (61%),
Whether it was grown or raised in the United States (60%),
Whether the product contains allergens (59%)
Whether the product contains genetically modified ingredients
(59%)
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Labeling Question 3
• Current regulations do not require genetically modified foods
to be labeled in the US. Do you think that genetically modified
foods should be required to be labeled?
– Only 8% say no
– 17% are unsure
– 73% say yes
Rutgers 2013 Survey
What about other studies of GM labeling
preferences?
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• National polls
indicate that when
asked directly
“should GM/GE
foods be labeled”
more than 9 in 10
Americans say “yes”.
National Surveys of Public Opinion of GM
Foods
100
% who say they want labeling
90
80
70
60
50
93
92
40
73
30
66
63
AP
IFIC
20
10
0
Reuters/NPR
CR
Rutgers
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9/21/2015
National Surveys of Public Opinion of GM
Foods
100
% who say they want labeling
90
80
70
60
50
93
92
40
73
30
66
63
AP
IFIC
20
10
0
Reuters/NPR
CR
Rutgers
National Surveys of Public Opinion of GM
Foods
100
% who say they want labeling
90
80
70
60
50
93
92
40
73
30
66
63
AP
IFIC
20
10
0
Reuters/NPR
CR
No DK/Unsure response option
Rutgers
Has DK/Unsure response option
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9/21/2015
Should GM Foods be Required to be Labeled?
• Current regulations do not require genetically modified foods
to be labeled in the US. Do you think that genetically modified
foods should be required to be labeled?
– Only 8% say no
– 17% are unsure
– 73% say yes
If not sure and
refused are
eliminated:
90% say yes
Rutgers 2013 Survey
What percentage of Americans want GM foods
labeled?
•
•
•
•
7%
59%
73%
Or higher?
It depends on how you ask.
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Who wants GM foods labeled?
What variables are related to belief that GM
foods should be labeled?
• Three separate logistic regression models
– DV 1: Volunteered would like GM on label
– DV 2: GM Labels important
– DV 3: GM labels should be required
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What variables are related to belief that GM
foods should be labeled?
• Predictor variables in models:
– Scale of Engagement with GM foods (aware GM existed, ever
discussed, heard or read, self-assessed knowledge, awareness sold in
stores, awareness GM labels not required, alpha =.82)
– Scale of approval of plant-based and animal-based GM foods (alpha =
.80)
– Rating of safety of GM food
– Opinion is based on specific issue vs. general feeling
• Demographic variables
–
–
–
–
Age
Gender
Education
Ethnicity
Logistic regression models
DV1: Volunteered GM on labels
DV2: GM Labeling is important
DV3: GM foods should be labeled
B
Wald
OR
B
Wald.
OR
B
Wald
OR
Engagement scale
.445
33.992
1.560***
.076
3.705
1.078
.010
.048
1.010
Disapproval scale
1.163
20.418
3.199***
.612
30.230
1.843***
1.078
44.377
2.939***
.598
8.022
1.818**
.919
57.359
2.506***
.948
38.656
2.580***
-.071
.051
.931
.263
2.226
1.301
-.567
7.114
.567**
Gender
.236
.757
1.267
-.399
6.236
.671*
.129
.429
1.138
Ethnicity
.111
.103
1.117
.329
2.346
1.389
.287
1.146
1.332
Age
-.020
4.965
.980*
.011
4.760
1.011*
.011
3.328
1.011
29.794
**
GM unsafe
Opinion based on
specific issue
Education
-7.430
Constant
Cox & Snell
51.833
R2
.001
.205
11.477
-3.942
39.915
10.328
.019
.257
-2.233
10.410
.107
.231
Note. * p <.05, **p <.01, *** p <.001
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Who wants labeling?
• Engagement with GM foods is related to mentioning it
in the open-ended labeling question.
• Saying your opinion is based on a specific issue is
related to not believing GM foods should be labeled.
• Being older and being female is related to thinking GM
food labels are important.
• Main finding, holds true across the three models:
– Belief that GM foods are unsafe is related to belief that GM food
should be labeled.
– Disapproving of plant- and animal-based GM foods is related to
the belief that GM foods should be labels.
• There is another way American consumers have been
asked about GM food labeling.
• Opinions expressed in survey ≠ voting behavior
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Labeling Referenda
California (Proposition 37) 2012
• 51% no; 49% yes
Washington State (Initiative 522) 2013
• 51% no; 49% yes
Oregon (Measure 92) 2014
• defeated by just over 800 votes.
Colorado (Proposition 105) 2014
• 66% voted against labeling bill.
GM Food Labeling
Initiatives
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“Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of
2015”
• H.R.1599 – refers to “genetically engineered food”
• Amends the Food Drug and Cosmetics Act (FDCA)
– No label can suggest that non-GE foods are safer than GE foods.
– A food can be labeled as non-GE even if it is produced with a GE
processing aid or enzyme or derived from animals fed GE feed or
given GE drugs.
– The FDA must allow, but not require, GE food to be labeled as GE.
– The FDA must regulate the use of “natural” on food labels.
– Preempts state and local restrictions on GE food and labeling
requirements for GE food, non-GE food, or “natural” food.
• Requires the USDA Ag Marketing Service to establish a
program to certify non-GE food.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1599
“Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of
2015”
• H.R.1599 – refers to “genetically engineered food”
• “(3) The term ‘genetically engineered plant’ refers to a
plant or plant product (as those terms are defined in
section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702)), if—
– “(A) it contains genetic material that has been modified through in
vitro recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques; and
– “(B) the modification could not otherwise be obtained using
conventional breeding techniques.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1599
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Arguments in Favor of Labeling
• Proponents argue that labeling of GM food products
would offer increased choices to consumers
– Proponents say they have the “right to know” so they can
exercise their religious, philosophical, or dietary preferences.
– Proponents want the ability to use market forces to express their
political views in support or opposition to the use of GM
technology.
Some proponents say it would not
significantly affect the cost of food.
Arguments Against Labeling
• Maintaining “identity preservation” can be
logistically difficult
– This may be especially true of processed foods with many
ingredients
• Changing the systems to maintain this could be
costly
• Could create a patchwork across states.
• Labels might be seen as warnings.
– Labels could imply that GM food products or
ingredients are harmful or of lower quality than
those produced through conventional means.
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How will labeling rules deal with other
related technologies?
Mutation Breeding
Mutation breeding using gamma radiation and chemicals
has produced a significant proportion of the world’s commercial food
crops, including varieties of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rice
Corn
Wheat
Barley
Pears
Peas
Cotton
Peppermint
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Peanuts
Grapefruit
Sesame
Bananas
Cassava
Sorghum
Sunflowers
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Mutation Breeding
Gene Editing
CRISPR:
(Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic
Repeats)
– Segments of prokaryotic DNA containing short repetitions of
base sequences
– Each repetition is followed by short segments of "spacer DNA"
from previous exposures to a bacterial virus or plasmid
• Gene Editing
– adding, disrupting or changing the sequence of specific genes
• Gene Regulation
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Future research?
• How does the public view these related technologies?
– Do/can many Americans make distinctions between a transspecies DNA transfer compared to altering the genes within a
given organism?
• This is where some of our research is headed.
Conclusions
• For many, opinions about GM foods are not strongly
held.
– People report that they do not know much about GM foods.
– Many people say opinions are based on a feeling.
– People’s opinions may change as they learn more.
• Does the public want GM foods labeled?
– Depends on how you ask.
– When asking at the ballot box, we see a very different response
than in public opinion polling.
• The policy and technological landscape is changing
rapidly.
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Acknowledgements
• Collaborators Drs. William Hallman and Xenia Morin
• Survey was sponsored by the Office of the Executive
Dean, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
– The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect official positions or policies of Rutgers, the
State University of New Jersey.
For More Information:
Download our most recent whitepaper here:
http://humeco.rutgers.edu/documents_PDF/n
ews/GMlabelingperceptions.pdf
Cara L. Cuite, PhD
Associate Research Professor
Department of Human Ecology
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8520
(848) 932-4544
[email protected]
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