A systematic review of the use of genetically modified food in China

Abstract

Introduction: The Genetically Modified (GM) food, which is one of the fruit of the modern biotechnology, is closely related to people's lives. GM food, specifically, GM crops, also known as biotech food, are produced from genetically modified organisms (GMO), which use genetic engineering techniques to introduce, recombine and modify DNA. The safety of GM food still do not have final conclusion at present. Although GM food has been introduced into China for over 15 years, many of the surveys show that Chinese consumers‘ knowledge of GM food is relatively low comparing with other countries. In 2002, China‘s Ministry of Agriculture promulgated three regulations to manage the GMOs in China. The attitudes and acceptance of market for GM food have direct impact on the development of genetic engineering technique and government‘s policy making. This review aims to investigate cognition and attitudes of GM food among Chinese consumers; to investigate how the consumers react to the GM food labeling policy; to find out how factors such as knowledge about transgenic information, price of GM food would affect the consumption of GM food.

Methods: Relevant studies published between January 2002 and May 2013 were searched and identified through NCBI, CNKI, and Google Scholar with a combination of keywords, such as “GM”, “China”, “attitude”, “knowledge”, and “willingness” both in English and Chinese. Studies regarding the average knowledge level, acceptance and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for GM food among Chinese consumers, and factors affecting the WTP were included.

Results: Of 1032 papers identified, 9 articles fulfilling the selection criteria were included in this systematic review. Among the 9 articles, 7 were written in English, 2 in Chinese. Awareness and knowledge of GM food among Chinese consumers were still not satisfying. Given the potential risks, the public tended to hold divergent attitudes to GM food, which had significantly influenced the WTP. Socio-economic factors such as the number of children, and external factors such as information and price also affected the WTP. Among all the factors, positive attitudes (including willingness-to-accept WTA), and positive information about GM food have significant positive influence on the WTP of GM food, while consumer‘s number of children, price of GM food and negative information about GM food would reduce the purchase intention.

Discussion: Positive attitudes (including willingness-to-accept WTA), and positive information have significant positive influence on the WTP of GM food, while increasing number of children and price of GM food and negative information would reduce the purchase intention. It is necessary to strengthen the comprehensive and objective propaganda of GM food and transgenic technology; enhance the management of GM food; plan and develop GM food industry with focus on low-income consumers for they are more willing to buy GM food.