Gene

Philosophy

Neuroscience

Extant taxon

Biology

Social psychology

Skepticism

Food science

Evolutionary biology

Genetically modified organism

Genetics

Psychology

Politics

Political science

Epistemology

Morality

Medicine

Immorality

Public opinion

Perception

Pathology

Food safety

International Journal of Public Opinion Research

Despite scientific consensus in the US that genetically modified (GM) foods are generally as safe as conventionally grown foods, the public remains skeptical about their safety. Extant research shows mixed results about the relationship between knowledge and attitudes when it comes to public opinion of GM foods in the US. This study uses data from the Pew American Trends Panel to examine the relationship between knowledge about GM foods and beliefs about their safety, in addition to what may be moderating these relationships. Results show that the relationship between knowledge and belief varies across different types of knowledge and that the effect of knowledge is moderated by perceptions of the immorality of genetic modification, rather than political or religious views.

The Differential Effects of Knowledge on Perceptions of Genetically Modified Food Safety