What Consumers in Vietnam Think About Gene-Edited Rice

Gene editing tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9, allow scientists to make precise changes in plant genes, leading to various improvements such as biofortification and resiliency. These tools provide promise to different areas of research, especially in agriculture and food.

Researchers from Vietnam National University and partners from Japan assessed the consumer acceptance of consumer-targeted gene-edited products, particularly gene-edited rice with improved quality. They explored the factors influencing their choices and how much they are willing to pay for gene-edited rice compared to regular or GM rice. Consumers in Vietnam were chosen as respondents because of low misinformation about gene editing on social media platforms in the country.

The findings showed that consumers will likely embrace gene-edited foods with better taste and nutrition, especially if they can access clear information about the technology. This may imply that gene editing could be a game-changer for creating tastier and healthier food options that people actually want to buy, especially in Vietnam.

Read the full text in Agribusiness.