Exploring factors affecting attitudes towards gene-edited food among consumers in Greece

Abstract

Purpose - This work examines attitudes towards GE food among consumers in Greece and towards future sale availability of GE products in the EU. Therefore, it contributes to studying the public perception of GE food in Greece and aims to underpin understanding of the implications of GE food policy implementation in Greece and the EU. | Methodology and research design - An online standardized survey was conducted among consumers in Greece (n=75). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) was employed to identify key predictors of attitudes towards GE food among consumers in Greece and future sale availability of GE products in the EU. | Findings - Consumer attitudes towards GE food were determined by subjective knowledge (positive), trust in food governance (positive), the concept of tampering with nature (negative), education, and gender. Subjective and objective knowledge, the concept of tampering with nature, and preference for natural foods determined attitudes towards the future sale availability of GE products in the EU. | Originality - This work is among the first ones in Greece to have explored consumer attitudes towards GE food and addressed the paucity of research in this area.