A systematic review of agrifood chain actors’ evaluation of genome editing in food and agriculture: trends, determinants and research gaps

Abstract

Genome editing (GE) exhibits great potential for advancing sustainability in the agrifood systems. However, evaluations of GE by agrifood chain actors remain varied. This systematic review synthesised existing research on agrifood chain actors’ evaluation of GE in food and agriculture, the determinants of their evaluations, and the methodologies applied in past studies, while also identifying research gaps that could be addressed by future studies. Following the Scientific Procedure and Rationale for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR-4-SLR) protocol, 90 relevant studies were reviewed. Findings indicate that GE evaluations are mixed and skewed towards consumers in developed countries. Key determinants were related to information, risk and benefit perceptions and trust in institutions, GE products and technology. Effective science communication, transparent regulations, and tailored messaging emphasising GE benefits could positively affect evaluations. This review highlights methodological limitations, including heavy reliance on quantitative cross-sectional designs and inconsistent measurement scales, and provides actionable insights for policy, academic, and industry research.