To convince Americans GMOs are safe, stakeholders must first convince them to open their minds, study finds

The following is an excerpt of an article on Food Navigator that highlights a recent survey on consumer perception of GMOs.

Despite widespread scientific agreement that genetically modified foods are safe to consume, the vast majority of Americans disagree and are unlikely to change their opinions unless they can first be convinced to open their minds, according to new research.

A study published Jan. 17 in Nature Human Behavior revealed that more than 90% of the 2,000-plus US and European adults surveyed by researchers at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Toronto and the University of Pennsylvania reported some level of opposition to GMO foods. In addition 93% cited food safety or health concerns specifically.

Yet, when researchers tested respondents' objective knowledge about genetically modified foods with a series of 15 true-false questions, they found those who most opposed the use of genetic engineering in food also had the lowest actual knowledge about the technology.

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