Genetically modified

Research Objectives and Contributions to the Existing Literature
There is currently regulatory uncertainly around new plant and animal breeding technologies -
namely CRISPR - in the United States and across the world. Like GM technology before them, 
these new techniques are difficult to explain and understand, meaning that the success of the new 
technologies will depend in part on acceptance from a public that doesn’t have a deep scientific 
knowledge of the foods they consume. Considering that GM foods are currently available to 

---

11
consumers in the United States, further understanding what drives their public perceptions remains 
a worthwhile endeavor. This study advances the existing literature by utilizing more nuanced 
measures of risk perception and support for GM regulations than typically considered in the 
literature. Most research has focused on the relatively simple question of whether or not GM foods 
are safe for human consumption or have measured general attitudes towards GMOs or 
biotechnology in general (Pew Research Center 2015; Pew Research Center 2016; McFadden and 
Lusk, 2016) or focused only on policies restricting the use of GM foods (Scott et al., 2016). As the 
term “genetic modification” could be understood to include any human-influenced change to the 
genetic makeup of plants or animals (i.e. any breeding method for plants or animals) it is important 
to compare attitudes towards GM foods with attitudes towards other similar or earlier breeding 
techniques. In addition, many of the studies focusing on policy preferences related to GM foods 
have focused on labeling laws or country-wide bans. Frewer, et al. (2013) called for additional 
nuance to the range of policy outcomes and types of attitudes tested; this study heeds that call
2
. 
The effect of public perceptions on altering plant genes is still evolving and still influencing 
regulation and technology adoption. Therefore, we need to continue to track and explore the nature 
and drivers of these perceptions. I propose that perceptions of risk, knowledge of GM technology 
and regulation, and trust in actors in the GM debate influence the policies that American residents 
support and whether or not they avoid GM foods in their food purchasing decisions. The following 
research questions are the focus of this investigation:
1. How knowledgeable is the American public about what GM foods are and how GM foods 
are regulated? 
2. What proportion of the American public makes an effort to avoid purchasing GM foods 
and which actors are most trusted? 
2
This suggestion is particularly timely given the rapid development of plant breeding technologies and the 
uncertainty related to government regulation. 

---

12
3. Are there risk factors the American public cares about other than health when considering 
potential downsides of GM foods? 
4. Which policies regulating GM foods does the American public support? 
5. What demographic and psychological factors predict GM purchasing behavior and policy 
support?