Consumers are largely unaware of the environmental and animal welfare benefits of gene-edited vegetables and meat, a survey of 5,000 U.S. food shoppers has revealed. However, they were more willing to purchase these foods once they learned more about the technique.
The survey defined gene-edited products as vegetables or meats that have been precisely bred in a way that makes targeted changes, or edits, to bring out desired characteristics. In animals, gene editing can make them more disease resistant, solve heredity health conditions and help address animal welfare issues.
“Gene editing, as a plant and animal breeding technique, is a relatively new food technology, so we believed it was important to establish a baseline for consumer understanding and how that level of understanding impacts purchasing decisions,” Leslie Sarasin, President and CEO of FMI, the Food Industry Association, said in a statement.
Key takeaways
Key takeaways of the survey include:
- More than half of consumers had never heard of gene editing. An additional 20% indicated that they had heard of the term but didn’t know what they meant.
- Many consumers confused gene edited foods with GMO foods.
- Respondents were more willing to purchase gene-edited foods after learning about the benefits of the technique.
- Despite somewhat negative opinions about gene-edited food, consumers value having the option to buy them.
The consumer research study was conducted by the FMI Foundation in partnership with the American Seed Trade Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Farm Foundation. It evaluated consumer beliefs, awareness and understanding of gene editing in agriculture and how willing they were to purchase gene-edited vegetables or meat.
Ways to consumer acceptance
Education is crucial before consumer acceptance of any new technologies can occur.
“It’s hard for [consumers] to understand what’s going on the farm and be supportive when they really don’t understand the changes that are taking place,” Roxi Beck, director of consumer engagement with the Center for Food Integrity, explained. Beck shared four key ways to effectively communicate with skeptics of gene editing at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Austin, Texas.
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