An Examination of Millennials’ Attitudes toward Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Foods: Is It Franken-Food or Super-Food?

Abstract

This study reports on a survey of Millennials in the United States regarding GMO foods. Potential benefits of GMO food crops include improving agricultural productivity, such as insect resistant and drought resistant crops, and alleviating world hunger, particularly in developing countries. Scientific research fully supports the health and safety of GMO foods. However, opponents to GMO foods still exist, some motivated by economic self-interest and others by fear of science and technology. The debate over GMO foods is widely considered the single-biggest issue facing modern agriculture, characterized as a clash between pro-science and anti-science forces, the outcome having ramifications extending far beyond agriculture and GMOs. To effectively market GMO foods to Millennials and others, agricultural producers, distributors, and food retailers will need to educate consumers about the overwhelming scientific support for the health benefits and safety of GMO foods.

Keywords: Genetically Modified Organism, GMO, Genetically Engineered Foods, Millennials

JEL Classification: K32, L2, M3