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Is dread of Genetically Modified food associated with the consumers' demand for information?

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  • Joan Costa-Font
  • Elias Mossialos

Abstract

We argue that the dread of Genetically Modified (GM) food is an expression of the individual's demand for information as a self-protective action. This study empirically examines the determinants of the demand for information on Genetically Modified Food and tests whether this demand is jointly determined with the individual's dread of GM food. A UK representative sample of the 1999 Eurobarometer Survey is employed and the study undertakes multivariate analysis of information-related survey responses. The results provide some evidence for the hypothesis that demand for information stands as a self-protective attitude that occurs in the absence of information. Furthermore, knowledge of science and information channels are both associated with a larger demand for information and lower dread of GM food.

Suggested Citation

  • Joan Costa-Font & Elias Mossialos, 2005. "Is dread of Genetically Modified food associated with the consumers' demand for information?," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(14), pages 859-863.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:12:y:2005:i:14:p:859-863
    DOI: 10.1080/13504850500365830
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Viscusi, W Kip, 1997. "Alarmist Decisions with Divergent Risk Information," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 107(445), pages 1657-1670, November.
    2. Rodolfo M. Nayga, 1996. "Sociodemographic Influences on Consumer Concern for Food Safety: The Case of Irradiation, Antibiotics, Hormones, and Pesticides," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 18(3), pages 467-475.
    3. Wallace E. Huffman & Matthew Rousu & Jason F. Shogren & Abebayehu Tegene, 2004. "Who Do Consumers Trust for Information: The Case of Genetically Modified Foods?," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 86(5), pages 1222-1229.
    4. Ralph L. Keeney & Detlof Von Winterfeldt, 2001. "Appraising the precautionary principle -- a decision analysis perspective," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(2), pages 191-202, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Joan Costa‐Font & Caroline Rudisill & Elias Mossialos, 2008. "Attitudes as an Expression of Knowledge and “Political Anchoring”: The Case of Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(5), pages 1273-1288, October.
    2. Howlett, Michael & Migone, Andrea Riccardo, 2010. "The Canadian biotechnology regulatory regime: The role of participation," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 280-287.
    3. Costa-Font, Montserrat & Tranter, Richard B. & Gil, Jose Maria & Jones, Philip J. & Gylling, Morten, 2010. "Do defaults matter? Willingness to pay to avoid GM food vis-à-vis organic and conventional food in Denmark, Great Britain and Spain," 84th Annual Conference, March 29-31, 2010, Edinburgh, Scotland 91750, Agricultural Economics Society.
    4. Mahaffey, Harry & Taheripour, Farzad & Tyner, Wallace E., 2016. "Evaluating the Economic and Environmental Impacts of a Global GMO Ban," 2016 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Boston, Massachusetts 235591, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    5. Fan, Linlin & Stevens, Andrew W. & Thomas, Betty, 2022. "Consumer purchasing response to mandatory genetically engineered labeling," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    6. Rudisill, Caroline & Costa-Font, Joan & Mossialos, Elias, 2012. "Behavioral adjustment to avian flu in Europe during spring 2006: The roles of knowledge and proximity to risk," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(8), pages 1362-1371.
    7. Costa-Font, Montserrat & Gil, José M. & Traill, W. Bruce, 2008. "Consumer acceptance, valuation of and attitudes towards genetically modified food: Review and implications for food policy," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 99-111, April.

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