Publication Date
Summer 2017
Advisor(s) - Committee Chair
Dr. Khouryieh (Director), Dr. Jackson, and Dr. Gray
Degree Program
Department of Architectural and Manufacturing Sciences
Degree Type
Master of Science
Abstract
Genetically modified (GM) foods technology is a novel idea for improving food and crop production, but the supposed health risk of GM foods, such as possible negative long-term health effects to humans, animals and the environment, have provoked the European Union to create assessment protocols to monitor and regulate the safety of GM foods and crops. This research investigates the perception and attitudes of unlabeled GM foods of the WKU faculty and staff. A survey was administered via WKU Qualtrics, and chi-square tests were performed to see how the benefits and disadvantages of GM foods may affect the purchasing decisions of the educated consumer, and to see if the WKU faculty and staff wants GM foods to be labeled or not. The research confirms that the benefits and disadvantages of GM foods do affect the purchasing decisions of the educated consumer. The survey revealed that about 60% of the WKU faculty and staff buys GM foods, and 40% do not buy GM foods, and approximately 92% of the WKU faculty and staff wants GM foods to have proper labeling and information. The research provides information about how the educated consumer of Kentucky may feel about unlabeled GM foods.
The research also recommends some trade-off benefits of GM foods, including that approximately 35% of the WKU faculty and staff reported that they would buy GM foods if it helps to lower cholesterol and fight diabetes, and 20% say they would buy GM foods if it is cheaper than other foods. Some of the disadvantages of GM foods are that the pesticide chemicals used in the production methods of GM foods are toxic to humans, animals, and the environment. Approximately 54% of the participants say they would not buy GM foods because they are concerned about how it may affect their long-term health, and about 35% reported that they don’t buy GM foods because of improper labeling and information.
Disciplines
Genetics and Genomics | Nutrition | Public Health Education and Promotion
Recommended Citation
Waite, Aldious A., "Consumer Knowledge, Perception and Attitudes of Unlabeled Genetically Modified Foods of an Educated Population in the State of Kentucky" (2017). Masters Theses & Specialist Projects. Paper 2026.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/2026
Included in
Genetics and Genomics Commons, Nutrition Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons