Genomics Closer to Conventional Breeding than GE, Says Consumers

Consumers view genomics closer to conventional breeding than genetic engineering. A group of researchers at the University of Wageningen made the observation after analyzing consumer images from several focus groups. Consumer images refer to models that portray possible future consumer preferences and behavior. These images are considered important and may indicate consumer decisions -whether to buy or consume a certain product, said the researchers.

The individuals in the focus groups have ages between 18 to 79 years old and have completed varying levels of education. The researchers used age and education level as categories to form the homogeneous groups. They noted that detailed elaboration of the descriptions of the three technologies when given can change the consumers’ images. This was most evident in the change of the position of genomics in relation to conventional breeding and genetic engineering.

Details can be found in the paper published in Euphytica. It is available to subscribers at http://www.springerlink.com/content/bgx711056t6t33k4/.