Most Americans Believe GMOs Likely to Improve Global Food Supply

In its 2019 survey, the Pew Research Center reveals that while Americans have mixed views about genetically modified foods (GMOs) and their implications for society, about three-quarters (74%) of surveyed adults say it is at least fairly likely that GM foods will increase the global food supply and 62% say GM foods are very or fairly likely to lead to more affordably priced food.

Views about the health effects of GM foods grew more negative between 2016 and 2018 and have been steady since then, according to Pew Research Center surveys, the latest of which was conducted in October 2019. The 2019 survey reveals that half of surveyed U.S. adults (51%) think GMOs are worse for people's health than foods with no genetically modified ingredients, while 41% say GM foods have a neutral effect on health. Just 7% say they are better for health than other foods.

The survey also shows that men have more positive views about GM foods than women. About 58% of women say that GM foods are worse for health, and believe that GMOs are at least fairly likely to result in health problems for the population as a whole or to create problems for the environment.

For more details about this survey, read the Pew Research Center Fact Tank.