article · Food Quality and Preference
Societal acceptance remains vital for the commercialisation of genetically modified crops and foods, which offer potential solutions for food security and climate change. A systematic review examined public perceptions and attitudes towards agricultural biotechnology in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. The findings show that communities across the region hold mixed views, though negative attitudes predominate alongside limited knowledge regarding genetic modification and its presence in local food supplies. Plant-based modifications prove noticeably more acceptable than genetic modification involving animals for food production. Furthermore, public sentiment is strongly shaped by perceived risks and benefits, educational levels, understanding of the technology, and prevailing cultural and moral beliefs. Current social science research regarding agricultural biotechnology in this region remains in its early stages, highlighting substantial knowledge gaps that require further targeted investigation.
Genetic modification techniques can support food security and climate resilience, but public resistance can hinder their adoption. Understanding regional attitudes and knowledge gaps helps policymakers and agricultural developers design better educational initiatives and transparent regulatory frameworks. Clarifying public concerns also ensures that biotechnology strategies align more closely with local cultural values and community priorities.
Biotechnology developers and agribusinesses planning to introduce genetically modified products into the region face significant market resistance. The evidence indicates that plant-based products have a comparatively easier commercial pathway than animal applications, but commercial readiness is constrained by widespread negative perceptions and low consumer awareness. Commercial deployment will require early-stage market preparation, consumer education, and engagement addressing specific cultural and moral concerns.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Modern biotechnology and associated genetic modification techniques can help tackle several global challenges including, inter alia, climate change and food security. However, there is a great deal of global controversy regarding the prudence of their application in food production. Hence, societal acceptance of GM crops and foods is crucial for their proliferation and commercialisation to be successful. In response to an evidenced lack of research on attitudes towards GM foods in emerging economies and developing countries, and following a systematic approach with a thematic analysis tool, this review compiled current knowledge and available evidence on perceptions and attitudes towards GM crops and foods in the MENAT region to support existing and future research and identify existent knowledge gaps. The findings revealed that people in the MENAT region hold a mixture of positive and negative attitudes towards GM foods and crops, with negative attitudes predominating, and also exhibited poor levels of knowledge about GM foods and their local existence. Overall, plant-based GM products were, notably, more acceptable than the application of genetic modification on animals for food production. The results also demonstrated the importance of risk and benefit perception, GM knowledge and educational background, and cultural and moral beliefs in the formation of attitudes towards GM foods and crops. In conclusion, social research of GM application in food and agriculture sectors in the MENAT region is still in its early stages and future and more targeted research in this area is highly encouraged.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2024.105148
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
