A Sociological Investigation of Acceptance, Beliefs, and Perceptions Regarding Genetically Modified Organisms

Michael E. Lawson
and
Ronald G. Stover, and Donna J. Hess
Both of South Dakota State University

An availability sample of South Dakota farmers is used to examine producers’ attitudes toward

agricultural biotechnology. Producer attitudes about the acceptance of biotechnology, the perceived

reasons for the reluctance of foreign consumers to consume or purchase products of genetically modified

organisms (GMOs), and perceptions related to personal food safety issues, consumer food safety

issues, and degree of governmental protection are described. In general, these South Dakota producers

are very accepting of biotechnology. Not only had a substantial majority considered using GMOs, but a

comparable majority had actually used them. The most often listed reasons for planting genetically

modified crops were to control persistent weeds and the ease of farm management. South Dakota

producers are confident they would be better off financially planting GMOs and believe themselves

to be well-informed concerning biotechnology. Further they believe GMOs to be safe to eat, that

consumers are not well informed in their GMO health concerns, and that the government does an

adequate job protecting consumers. Finally, the issue of food safety issue is perceived to be the most

important factor related to foreign reluctance to accept genetically modified crops.