Measurement of public perception of GMOs with a Likert-type scale [Medición de la percepción pública de los OGM con una escala tipo Likert]

The development and commercialization of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has encouraged the public to learn about their benefits and risks to health and environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception of GMOs in undergraduate and graduate students of the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Mexico. To that end, a Likert questionnaire was applied, consisting of five dimensions and 30 items. The non-probability sampling measured the attitudes related to: disclosure of information, application in agriculture, environmental impact, use of labels, and impact of GMOs on human health. Fifty-five point six percent of the participants considered that the information provided by the institutions is insufficient, and 53.9 %25 expressed a lack of confidence in the information broadcasted by the media. Fifty-three point two percent of the participants acknowledged that GMOs reduced the use of insecticides and increased the resistance to extreme conditions. The participants said that they were not aware of their environmental impact. Sixty-one percent of the participants considered that labeling products with GM content can allow consumers to choose which one they prefer. The study proved that students are interested in acquiring impartial information about GMOs, their impact on the environment and health, and the relevance of labeling GM products. © 2018 Colegio de Postgraduados.

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