Gao Shuqing, Chen Jingru, Yang Yuqin, Wang Guoyan
School of Communication, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
Foods. 2024 Jul 25;13(15):2348. doi: 10.3390/foods13152348.
Gene editing contributes to enhancing food security through the creation of novel foods. However, public perception of gene-edited (GE) foods is crucial to their acceptance and adoption. This study expanded the knowledge-attitude-practice model and constructed an integrated framework comprising four dimensions: demographic factors, scientific literacy and beliefs, social trust, and perceptions of gene technology, aimed at explaining the public's attitudes toward GE foods. A questionnaire survey was conducted ( = 649), revealing a positive attitude toward GE foods, with over 80% expressing a certain willingness to pay (WTP) for them. Factors such as income level, subjective knowledge, scientific beliefs, trust in scientists, trust in government, and trust in national technological capabilities and perceived benefits positively correlated with WTP. Conversely, objective knowledge, perceived risks, and perceived ethical concerns were negatively correlated with WTP. The impact of objective knowledge on attitudes toward GE foods demonstrated a significant, nonlinear relationship. Additionally, it is noteworthy that the Chinese public currently exhibits relatively low trust in national technological capabilities, necessitating vigilance against the emergence of conspiracy theories akin to those surrounding genetically modified foods. This research contributes theoretical insights into the public communication of GE foods.
基因编辑通过创造新型食品有助于增强粮食安全。然而，公众对基因编辑食品的认知对于其接受和采用至关重要。本研究扩展了知识-态度-行为模型，并构建了一个包含四个维度的综合框架：人口统计学因素、科学素养与信念、社会信任以及对基因技术的认知，旨在解释公众对基因编辑食品的态度。进行了一项问卷调查（n = 649），结果显示公众对基因编辑食品持积极态度，超过80%的人表示愿意为其支付一定费用（WTP）。收入水平、主观知识、科学信念、对科学家的信任、对政府的信任、对国家技术能力的信任以及感知到的益处等因素与支付意愿呈正相关。相反，客观知识、感知到的风险以及感知到的伦理问题与支付意愿呈负相关。客观知识对基因编辑食品态度的影响呈现出显著的非线性关系。此外，值得注意的是，中国公众目前对国家技术能力的信任相对较低，有必要警惕类似于围绕转基因食品出现的阴谋论的出现。本研究为基因编辑食品的公众传播提供了理论见解。
