Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Sci Eng Ethics. 2013 Sep;19(3):1201-27. doi: 10.1007/s11948-012-9383-6. Epub 2012 Jul 28.
While there has been a number of consumers' studies looking at factors that influence individuals' attitudes and behavior toward GM foods, few studies have considered agricultural professionals' intentions in this regard. This study illuminates agricultural professionals' insights toward GM foods in Southwest Iran. A random sample of 262 respondents was studied. The results indicated that the majority of the respondents had little knowledge about GM foods. They perceived few benefits or risks of GM foods. Their perceived benefits and trust in individuals and institutions had positive impacts on the behavioral intentions of the agricultural professionals. The results also revealed that the low knowledge level of the respondents had a negative impact on the behavioral intentions toward GM foods. This state of affairs is problematic, either GM foods have serious problems or the knowledge conveyed to the Iranian agricultural experts is inappropriate. We recommend a well defined communication strategy to provide information in such a way that allows individuals to feel adequately informed about GM foods. Furthermore, the development of trust and knowledge regarding GM foods can be greater when risk analysis frameworks are transparent, risk assessment methodologies are objective, all stakeholders are engaged in the risk management process, and risk communication focuses on consumers.
虽然有许多消费者研究着眼于影响个人对转基因食品的态度和行为的因素，但很少有研究考虑农业专业人士在这方面的意图。本研究阐明了伊朗西南部农业专业人士对转基因食品的看法。对 262 名随机受访者进行了研究。结果表明，大多数受访者对转基因食品知之甚少。他们认为转基因食品几乎没有好处或风险。他们对个人和机构的看法和信任对农业专业人士的行为意图有积极的影响。结果还表明，受访者的低知识水平对他们对转基因食品的行为意图有负面影响。这种情况很成问题，要么转基因食品有严重的问题，要么向伊朗农业专家传达的知识不恰当。我们建议制定明确的沟通策略，以适当的方式提供信息，使个人能够充分了解转基因食品。此外，当风险分析框架透明、风险评估方法客观、所有利益攸关方都参与风险管理过程以及风险沟通侧重于消费者时，对转基因食品的信任和了解就可以增加。
