Biotech Updates

Intelligence and Emotions Influence Acceptability of GMO

January 20, 2012

A study was conducted by Andrej Šorgo of the University of Maribor in Slovenia and colleagues to explore the relationship of GMO acceptance, basic emotions, general (IQ), verbal (VIQ), and procedural (PIQ) intelligence. A total of 123 samples were involved in the study which include 123 psychology students and pre-service teachers from a Slovenian university.

Based on the results of the study, the researchers arrived at the following conclusions:

  • Acceptability of GMOs cannot be applied to all organisms/products because each GM product receives different acceptance.
  • Interest can be triggered by both negative and positive attitudes toward GMOs.
  • Higher IQ, VIQ and PIQ are connected with the lower emotional response, leading to easier acceptance of GMOs.

Download a copy of the full report at http://www.ejbiotechnology.info/index.php/ejbiotechnology/article/view/v15n1-1.