Purpose

Genetically modified foods continue to provoke periodic public discussion. Public attitudes and behaviors in the context of GM food production and consumption have also consistently attracted the attention of social science researchers. This has been in response to oversight agencies (USDA, FDA and EPA) and to the significant economic investment in agricultural biotechnologies on the part of agribusinesses and research institutions.

Numerous public surveys have been conducted. There has been limited comparison of these findings and their methodologies. That's the purpose for this particular study. It is time for a serous review and assessment of this literature. The project will see if statistically valid and reliable trends or patterns have emerged from this work, and to point towards future research needs and directions.

Objectives

1. Compile comprehensive collection of surveys of U.S. citizens and their attitudes towards GM foods.
2. To assess the strengths and weaknesses of the methodologies and research designs of these projects.
3. To assess the strengths and weaknesses of the analytical strategies used in interpreting the data collected through these projects.
4. To determine trends in the results of this research and to determine the validity and reliability of emergent patterns.
5. To make recommendations on future research needs and directions regarding surveys of U.S. citizens an their attitudes, opinions, perceptions, and behaviors towards GM foods.

Impact

Research should lead to better proposals and research projects in the future concerning more accurately determining public attitudes towards GM foods and to agricultural biotechnologies in general.