Research On Public And Scientists Risk Perception Of Genetically Modified Food

With the rapid development of gene technology and its industrialization, genetically modified food (GMF) are more and more involved into the public food chain. However, the controversy over it is also becoming increasingly fierce, among which the debate between the public and scientists engaged in biotechnology researches has become the focus of attention. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the factors affecting the cognitive views, differences and disputes of the public and scientists and to find the reasons behind the controversy so as to seek a mechanism and platform for the both to communicate.Taking the relatively developed cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Wuhan and Chongqing) in east central and western China as research objects, this thesis analyses the current situation of the public and scientists risk perception toward GMF and its influencing factors by using theory of reasoned action, theory of planned behaviour and social risk theory. Through questionnaires, GMF risk cognitive status of the public and the scientists are systematically discussed from the aspects of basic information of the public and scientists, their basic knowledge, risk perception of genetically modified food, and their attitudes to related parties. Multivariate ordered Logistic Model is used to make quantitative analysis of the factors that affect risk perception. Some reasonable suggestions are put forward on the above basis. The main findings are as follows:1. Overall, the public holds a neutral and partially optimistic attitude toward GMF; in comparison, scientists are generally optimistic toward it.2. Media information, especially online media significantly mislead health risk and environmental risk perception of the public; in contrast, the effect isn’t distinct on scientists’perceptions. Science popularization affects health risks and environmental risk perception of the public and scientists both, but the effect is not obvious.3. Credibility of the government, experts and food safety greatly influences health risks and environmental risk perception of genetically modified foods of both the public and scientists. The higher the level of trust, the smaller the risk awareness.4. The debate takes a significant negative effects on public health risks and environmental risk perception. Scientists know more about the controversy, the smaller the degree of risk perception they have. Lack of exchange and communication is the most important reason of debate on genetically modified foods.This research breaks the single subject point of view of the traditional risk perception research, to analyze the risk perception of GMF from the perspectives of both the public and scientists, and also makes a comprehensive analysis of the difference and root of their risk perceptions, aimed to seek the risk exchange mechanism between the public and scientists, which is innovative.