Do consumers really refuse to buy genetically modified food?

Charles Noussair, Stéphane Robin, Bernard Ruffieux

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

172 Scopus citations

Abstract

We elicit willingness-to-pay information for similar food products that differ only in their content of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Participants in the experiment are a demographically representative sample of French consumers. 35% of participants are unwilling to purchase products made with GMOs, 23% are indifferent or value the presence of GMOs, and 42% are willing to purchase them if they are sufficiently inexpensive. The results contrast with surveys that indicate overwhelming opposition to GM foods. There is a surplus to be gained from the segregation of the market for food products into a GMO-free segment and a segment allowing GMOs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)102-120
Number of pages19
JournalEconomic Journal
Volume114
Issue number492
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Economics and Econometrics

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