CONSUMERS AND GMOS: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE AND PERCEPTION

Transcription

1 CONSUMERS AND GMOS: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE AND PERCEPTION Joy Rumble, PhD Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, PIE Center September 16, 2015

2 Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed. -Abraham Lincoln

3 The Scientists

4 Scientists and The Public Don t feel that the public understands their discipline (Lundy et al., 2006) Believe the public is limited due to science illiteracy (Nisbet et al., 2002) Agree that they have some responsibility in increasing public awareness of their discipline (Lundy et al., 2006) 84% say public knowledge of science is a major problem (Funk & Rainie, 2015)

5 Scientists and The Media Feel that news coverage of their discipline is neutral to negative (Ruth et al., 2005) 70% interviewed by news media, 34.4% had media relations training (Ruth et al., 2005) 75% believe media is more interested in sensationalism than truth (Hartz & Chappell, 1997)

6 The Public

7 The Public and The Scientists Can influence scientists work (Basalla, 1976) Distrust unknown outcomes of science (Nisbet et al., 2002) View scientists as intelligent, educated, & dedicated (Davis, 1963; Nisbet et al., 2002) Scientific promise vs. scientific reservation (NSB, 2014) Science has made life easier and has positive impacts on health care, food, & environment (Funk & Rainie, 2015)

8 The Public and The Media Most available source for information about science (Nisbet et al., 2002) Perceive newspapers and online news to be more credible than television news (Kiousis, 2001) Believe media influences others more than themselves (Paxton, 1995; Silverblatt et al., 1991) Feel media is inaccurate (66%), favors one side (77%), influenced by power (80%) (PEW, 2011)

9 The Media

10 The Media and The Scientists Depicts scientists as evil, geeky, or privileged (Nisbet et al., 2002) Depict science as mysterious, magical, or dangerous (Long & Steinke, 1996) Depict science as the solution to problems (Nisbet et al., 2002) Social media experts (instant experts) vs. science experts

11 The Media and The Public Offers a lot of information, but may lead to confusion (Felt, 2000, Nisbet et al., 2002) TV viewing related to decreased knowledge and increased reservations about science (Nisbet et al., 2002) Created by 56% of Internet users (PEW, 2012) Unlikely to be shared if it is perceived that peers will disagree (PEW, 2014)

12 Perception Science The Disconnect Public Communication

13 The Disconnect in Action GM food is safe (Nicolia et al., 2014) Safe to eat GM foods 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 88% Scientists 37% U.S. Adults Funk & Rainie, 2015

14 The Disconnect in Action GM food is safe (Nicolia et al., 2014) The gap between citizens and scientists in seeing GM foods as safe is 51 percentage points. This is the largest opinion difference between the public and scientists. Funk & Rainie, 2015

15 The Disconnect in Action More than 60% of processed food contains a GM ingredient Americans spend the most on processed foods (Vo, 2012) I currently purchase GM food 35% 30% 29% 27% 25% 20% 22% 22% 19% 15% 10% 8% 5% 0% Anderson, Ruth, & Rumble, 2014 Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

16 The Disconnect in Action More than 60% of processed food contains a GM ingredient Americans spend the most on processed foods (Vo, 2012) I know what foods contain GM ingredients 35% 30% 25% 23% 27% 30% 19% 20% 15% 14% 10% 5% 5% 0% Anderson, Ruth, & Rumble, 2014 Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

17 The Opportunity I would like to learn more about genetically modified food 45% 40% 35% 42% 69% 30% 25% 20% 15% 23% 27% 10% 5% 2% 6% 0% Anderson, Ruth, & Rumble, 2014 Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

18 The Opportunity A disease known as citrus greening is spreading quickly throughout the state of Florida. The disease affects the trees uptake of nutrients, leaving the fruit sour and the tree malnourished. There is no cure for the disease, and pesticides have failed to stop the spread of the disease that eventually kills the tree. Research has been done to find a citrus tree resistant to the disease, but none has been found. Without a solution, this disease could lead to the demise of the Florida citrus industry. Genetic modification is a possible solution for saving the Florida citrus industry. Dodds, Gorham, & Rumble, 2014

19 The Opportunity Genetic modification should be used to save citrus trees. 40% 37% 35% 30% 25% 33% 52% 20% 15% 15% 10% 5% 7% 9% 0% Dodds, Gorham, & Rumble, 2014 Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

20 The Opportunity I would purchase Florida-grown, genetically modified citrus fruit and juice. 35% 32% 31% 30% 25% 42% 20% 15% 12% 13% 11% 10% 5% 0% Dodds, Gorham, & Rumble, 2014 Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

21 Bridging the disconnect Focus less on the facts Focus more on shared values (Cook et al, 2004) Empathy Morals Economics Social Acceptance Benefits Controls Safety Aesthetic Benefits

22 THANK YOU!