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The Importance of Having a Different Opinion Europeans and GM foods*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2008

Enzo Loner
Enzo Loner*
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Sociologia e Ricerca Sociale, Università di Trento [enzo.loner@unitn.it].
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Abstract

Objectives. The article examines the opinions of Europeans concerning genetically modified (GM) foods. It first deals with the socio-cultural variables that favour acceptance of such products. It then analyses the minority of respondents who exhibit greater openness towards GM foods. Methods. Mokken Scale Analysis (MSA) is applied to 2002 Eurobarometer 58.0 data to construct an index of acceptance of GM foods. Results. The acceptance of GM foods is associated positively with trust in biotechnologies and negatively with concerns about the environment. The minority consisting of respondents in favour of GM foods possesses specific characteristics. Unlike the rest of the respondents, these principally consider the opportunity to spend less, the absence of fats, and the taste of foods. Conclusions. The analysis confirms that high education level does not favour acceptance of GM foods.

Résumé

L'article porte sur les opinions des européens vis à vis des OGM. Après avoir dégagé les variables associées aux opinions favorables, on s'intéresse aux attitudes, minoritaires, favorables. La méthode Mokken Scale Analysis est appliquée aux données Eurobaromètre de 2002. Un modèle Lisrel teste la qualité de l'indice obtenu. Il apparaît que l'acceptation des OGM est liée positivement à la confiance dans les biotechnologies et négativement à l'intérêt pour l'environnement.

Par ailleurs, la minorité favorable se distingue par un souci de dépenser moins, d’éviter les graisses et pour le goût des aliments. En revanche un haut niveau d’éducation n'est nullement favorable à l'acceptation des OGM.

Zuzammenfassung

Aufgabenstellung. Dieser Beitrag erörtert die Einstellung der europäischen Öffentlichkeit zu genetisch veränderten Lebensmitteln : welche soziokulturellen Aspekte fließen positiv mit ein, wer sind die Gegner. Methode. Die Mokken Scale Analysis wird auf den Eurobarometer 2002 angewandt, um Raster bei der Beurteilung von genetisch veränderten Lebensmitteln aufzustellen. Das Lisrel Modell überprüft die Verwendbarkeit dieses Rasters. Ergebnis. Vertrauen in die Biotechnologien führt zu einer positiven Einstellung, Angst vor Umweltschäden zur Ablehnung. Die Minderheit der Befürworter sieht Vorteile in puncto Zeitersparnis, fettarme und geschmacklich bessere Produkte.

Schlußfolgerung. Laut dieser Studie führt eine höhere Ausbildung nicht grundsätzlich zur Anerkennung genetisch veränderter Lebensmittel.

Type
Research Articles
Information
European Journal of Sociology / Archives Européennes de Sociologie , Volume 49 , Issue 1 , April 2008 , pp. 31 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © A.E.S. 2008

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