Evaluating the Behavioural Impact of the Australian and New Zealand Genetically Modified Food Labelling Provisions

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a choice experiment that encompassed the labelling options outlined in the Australian and New Zealand government's recently finalized mandatory labelling system for genetically modified foods (GMF's) and foods that contain genetically modified ingredients. The labelling scheme is to be implemented across both countries from December 2001 onwards. Results suggest difficulties ahead for manufacturers and growers of GM labelled product if there is an ample supply of GM-free labelled alternatives. It is also likely that manufacturers and growers of GM-free product will realize greater levels of demand over non-labelled and GM product even when these alternatives are substantially cheaper.     

检测技术在转基因食品分析中的应用

随着经济的不断发展,人们的生活水平在不断提高,转基因食品的范围越来越广,其安全问题也受到了全社会的关注。本文从转基因技术的基本原理分析入手,分析传统定量技术、数字PCR检测技术和新材料辅助定量检测技术分析检测技术在基因食品分析中的应用。     

世界生物技术作物的发展态势与我国的对策

从国别、作物的种类及特性的角度观察世界生物技术作物,其生产状况呈现出全面迅速增长态势。与此同时,世界生物技术作物的国际贸易也呈现出迅速增长的趋势。与上述发展态势伴生的是生物安全与国际贸易争端问题。我国应当从科技、安全管理、国际贸易等方面积极应对。     

转基因食品强制标识制度在世贸组织框架内的法律分析

鉴于转基因食品可能存在不确定的风险,许多国家都要求对转基因食品进行强制标识。由于欧盟自1998年以来暂停批准转基因农产品在欧盟市场的准入申请,2003年5月,美国、加拿大和阿根廷在世贸组织提起针对欧共体的申诉。在该案的审理过程中,欧盟对转基因食品的强制标识制度也成为一个争议的问题,这给中国政府敲响了警钟。在中国,目前有农业部和卫生部的两个相关管理办法。本文根据世贸组织的相关规则,包括《实施卫生与植物卫生措施协定》、《技术性贸易壁垒协定》以及关贸总协定1994第20条,从实体和程序上对我国现行规定的合法性进行了具体分析,并提出了相应建议,以期为政府相关部门的决策提供参考。     

转基因食品安全

科技是把双刃剑。转基因食品在一定程度上解决了粮食危机,促进了科技发展,但同时也存在着一些的问题和争议。本文通过探讨转基因食品安全问题,旨在为普通民众和科学工作者提供一定的参考依据。     

消费者对转基因食品的认知态度和购买意愿

随着生物技术的发展,越来越多的转基因食品进入了人类的食物链,但消费者对其的态度却不尽相同,明确了解消费者对转基因食品的认知态度及购买意愿将有助于生产者及政府的决策。根据辽宁省十个城市消费者进行的问卷调查数据,深入研究了城市消费者对转基因食品的认知态度及购买意愿。     

Genetically Modified Foods

ABSTRACT

This study outlines the controversy surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and how it impacts North American based food service companies' marketing policies. Recent developments have made foods derived from GMOs a strategic marketing challenge for food service franchise and chain operations. Headlines such as “Why McDonalds Pulled Frankenfries from Menus” have unwittingly put restaurants on the frontline of the battle over foods made from GMOs (Martin, 2000). A survey method was used to explore food service operations' views regarding consumer acceptance of GMOs, right to know issues (labeling) and the benefits of GMOs, as well as food service companies' strategic response to this emerging technology. Findings indicate that food service establishments were generally concerned about customer opinions and tend to prefer government mandated labeling of GMOs. They also tend to feel that GMOs offer potential benefits to their industry and that customer concerns may fade over time.     

转基因食品安全管理

本文简要介绍目前的转基因技术发展现状,对转基因食品可能存在的危害进行分析,阐述笔者对转基因食品的理解,认为转基因食品应在有效监管下健康发展,结合自身的知识体系,对如何做好转基因食品的法律监管提出个人见解。     

浅谈转基因食品标识

目前转基因食品成为了大众消费者越来越关心的问题,其不仅关乎着社会利益的较量,同时也对国际贸易有一定的影响。深入研究和了解转基因食品标识制度,可以让消费者更客观地理解其本质,对正在形成中的相关国际法和处于发展中的国内法具有借鉴和指导意义。     

关于转基因食品安全性评价的研究探索

随着经济社会的快速发展和科学技术的日新月异,以提升人民生活水平为目的的转基因食品应运而生。转基因食品在我国的发展时间并不长,但却得到了极大程度的促进与发展,对于其发展的影响,存在着毁誉参半的尴尬境地。但不能抹杀的是转基因食品的确具有明显的优势,为社会的发展提供了推动力。一方面,转基因食品具有节约成本、提升经济效益和丰富生物产品多样化的优点。但从另一方面来看,转基因食品也具有很大的安全隐患,对生态环境、食用人体的健康,甚至物种自身的发展都存在很大的不良影响。基于此,研究关于转基因食品安全性评价,以期进一步推动转基因食品相关技术的发展,为社会和人类的进一步发展作出贡献。     

Perceptions and Attitudes of Singaporeans towards Genetically Modified Food

This study examines the perceptions and attitudes of Singaporean residents who attended the first public lecture on genetically modified (GM) food in the country. Scales were developed for the underlying consumer concerns, and their relationship with one another and with demographic variables were examined. Slightly more than half of those who attended the talk (n= 417) indicated that they were worried about GM foods and 86 percent agreed or strongly agreed that GM foods should be labeled. Issues relating to health, ethics, and perceived benefits were the major underlying concerns. These were related to several demographic variables and also to perceived knowledge about biotechnology. Women were more concerned about the ethical and health aspects compared to men. Those with post‐graduate education were the least concerned about health and ethical issues and more likely to buy GM foods if consumer benefits are shown. Married respondents were less concerned about health issues compared to single ones. Also, those with children under fifteen years of age were less concerned about health issues compared to others and more likely to buy GM foods if consumer benefits are shown. Respondents subscribing to the Hindu religion were more likely than others to buy GM foods If benefits are shown. Also, those who considered themselves vegetarians were more concerned about the ethical aspects of GM foods compared to others.     

抗草甘膦转基因大豆DNA标准分子构建及多重荧光PCR检测体系的建立

[目的]将抗草甘膦转基因大豆中的CaMV35S、NOS和CP4 EPSPS 3种外源基因融合在PMD-18T载体并建立三重实时荧光PCR检测方法,实现通过一次PCR反应就能完成抗草甘膦转基因大豆的转基因成分检测。[方法]通过PCR扩增和基因克隆的方法构建含有CaMV35S、NOS和CP4 EPSPS外源基因的质粒,设计TaqMan探针建立三重荧光PCR检测体系。[结果]成功构建融合抗草甘膦转基因大豆3种外源基因质粒PMD18T/SOY,并建立三重荧光PCR检测体系,检测限值为10-3 ng/μL,线性关系良好r,2在0.998以上。[结论]构建同时含有多种外源基因的质粒作为转基因检测的阳性参照物并建立多重PCR检测体系,不仅可降低试剂成本、节省时间和人力,而且可以减少PCR反应次数和加样环节,降低PCR污染的几率。     

Acceptance of Genetically Modified Foods with Health Benefits: A Study in Germany

A study was carried out in Germany in order to assess consumers' acceptance of genetically modified (GM) foods with health benefits (bread, yohurt and eggs). Acceptability of GM foods increases when its source does not involve animal products such as eggs. Three factors have been identified as direct antecedents of the acceptance of GM foods: respondents' attitude towards biotechnology, health consciousness, and time pressure, being the first one the most salient one. Price consciousness has an indirect positive impact (mediated by health consciousness) upon acceptance of GM products. Males were more likely to accept GM foods with health benefits.     

Consumer Buying Behavior of Genetically Modified Fries in Germany

A purchasing experiment in which genetically modified and conventional fries were offered for sale at mobile fast food stands in Germany was conducted to identify factors influencing the willingness of consumers to purchase genetically modified fries. In total, 331 purchasing decisions were made: 56.5% decided to purchase conventional fries, 22.4% genetically modified fries, and 21.1% no preference. A logistic regression model analyzing questionnaires found that worry about pesticides, frequency of organic food purchases, the acceptability of genetically modified foods with environmental benefits, and perceptions of health risks from genetically modified foods significantly impact the willingness to purchase genetically modified fries.     

Reforming the WTO to Defuse Potential Trade Conflicts in Genetically Modified Goods

Arguably genetic modification is one of the most important technological change seen to date. Its effects on both human health and the environment are both profound and controversial. In particular consumers, mainly in the EU, have concerns regarding the long term effects of consuming genetically modified foods on their health. They are also concerned regarding the effect that genetically modified organisms will have on bio‐diversity and choice in the long run. Differing regulatory regimes towards genetically modified goods in the US and EU could lead to damaging trade conflicts. Current agreements covering trade in foods such as the SPS and TBT allow a way of diffusing conflicts. The primary aim of these agreements is, however, to prevent governments from protecting domestic producers by applying capricious barriers to foreign competition. This paper sets out to show that rather than modifying these two agreements it would be better to deal with new issues surrounding consumer preferences explicitly by negotiating a new international agreement.     

转基因食品感知价值对消费者购买意愿的影响

随着我国科学技术的发展和进步,转基因技术也得到一定的发展,转基因食品也更多地出现在人们的日常生活中。但转基因食品的安全问题一直是社会关注的重点,一直影响消费者的消费观念和购买欲望。本文从转基因食品感知价值研究消费者购买意愿的影响,发掘其深层次的原因,帮助政府和企业作正确的市场决策,对引导消费者进行理性消费具有重要的研究价值。     

论转基因食品技术恐惧及弱化措施

随着高新科学技术的快速发展,转基因食品技术出现在人们的视野,逐渐发展并被广泛应用,但是,由于转基因技术的不成熟与不确定性,使该技术在应用的过程中可能产生食品安全问题。因此,人们在讨论该技术的过程中,一些认同反对转基因食品技术的人就对该技术逐渐形成了一种恐惧心理。提高转基因食品技术,强化人民群众对其信任度,对促进转基因食品的发展意义重大。     

Consumer Risk Perceptions and Marketing Strategy: The Case of Genetically Modified Food

New technologies are hitting the marketplace every day. In trying to make sense of these new technologies, consumers perceive a series of risks and benefits of consumption and use those perceptions to form product judgments. One way for managers to mitigate organizational related risk is to understand how consumers perceive consumption‐related risk. To illustrate this point, the case of genetically modified (GM) food is examined and a series of focus groups is conducted in which participants examined different product labels that either framed the technology as a benefit gained or as a risk avoided. The results indicate that consumers do indeed form very different product evaluations based on how the new technology is framed, but these evaluations vary based on the level of the consumers’ preexisting knowledge. This study provides support for the contention that a better understanding of consumer risk perceptions is an important first step in developing marketing strategies for new technology‐oriented products.     

Understanding Attitudes Towards Genetically Modified Food: The Role of Values and Attitude Strength

Summary This study was aimed at gaining a better understanding of the nature of negative attitudes towards genetically modified (GM) food. A sample of 250 students at the University of Tromsø responded to a questionnaire measuring attitudes towards GM food, attitude strength, intention to buy such food, and their personal values. Values and attitude strength proved to be important constructs when explaining the attitudes. A structural model was estimated, confirming that the negative attitudes towards GM food were embedded in universalism and hedonism values, and also predicted behavioural intention to buy such food. Attitude centrality was found to moderate the value-attitude relationship. Central attitudes mediated the relation between values and behavioural intention, while for the less central attitudes there was no relation between values and attitudes. Rather, both were independent predictors of intention. The study showed that some individuals hold weak attitudes and therefore may be more likely to change their attitude than those whose attitude is embedded in values.