Genetic Engineering and Food: What Determines Consumer Acceptance?

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research coordinator, colleagues, and peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation/thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

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ABSTRACT

This paper analyses the perceptions of the consumers regarding the genetically modified food products. It also discusses the factors that affect the perceptions of the consumers and the impact that those perceptions have on their willingness to purchase the genetically modified food products. Quantitative methodology has been applied to carry out the analysis. Questionnaires were distributed among 60 consumers in order to analyze the consumers' perceptions. It can be concluded that, the genetically modified foods were introduced; there has been a dramatic increase in their consumption. This increase in the consumption of the GM foods is seen due to the changing perceptions of the consumers. The consumption of the genetically modified foods can increase even more if public is provided with more information and is shown more benefits of using these products. If the prices of the GM food products are lowered, it would have a positive impact on the sales of these products.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

LIST OF FIGURESVIII

CHAPTER 01: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Genetically Engineered Food3

Research Questions4

Aims and Objectives4

Significance of the Research5

Ethical Considerations6

Concerns6

Disposition7

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW8

Genetically Modified Foods8

Historical Perspective G M Foods10

The Birth of Biotechnology11

Biotechnology and the Food Industry12

Importance of Labelling Gneetically Modified Food Products12

Foe and Ally of Food Biotechnology13

Attitudes of the Consumers towards GM foods14

Changing Consumers Perceptions18

Attitudes of the Consumers towards the Genetically Modified Food19

Perceptions and Risks of the GM foods22

Trust in Biotechnology and Consumer Acceptance26

Scientific Organizations and Consumer Attitudes32

Attitudes and Acceptance by the Consumers34

Consumer Adoption Model35

CHAPTER 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY38

Overview of the Mixed Method Research Approach40

Research Method and Design Appropriateness40

Benefits and Disadvantages of Mixed Method41

Informed Consent42

Confidentiality43

Validity43

Reliability44

Data Analysis45

Quantitative Data Analysis45

Participants46

CHAPTER 04: RESULTS47

Questionnaire Analysis47

Discussion60

Advantages of Genetically Modified Foods66

RESEARCH QUESTION ANALYSIS67

Genetic Engineering and Food: What Determines Consumer Acceptance?67

What are the implications of genetically modified food?68

What is the customer perception of genetically modified food?70

CHAPTER 05: CONCLUSION75

REFERENCES77

APPENDICES87

Questionnaire87

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: You are willing to consume foods produced with GM ingredients47

Figure 2: GM foods are riskier to human health48

Figure 3: You would want to consume GM foods if they reduced the amount of pesticides applied to crops49

Figure 4: You will purchase GM foods if they were more nutritious than similar foods that are not GM50

Figure 5: Price is an important factor when you decide whether or not but GM foods51

Figure 6: Religious and ethical concerns play an important role when you decide whether or not to consume GM foods52

Figure 7: The food products play a vital role when labeled as GM or non-GM53

Figure 8: You would purchase GM foods if the government regulation increases54

Figure 9: You ...