ILSI SEA Region 6th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety (Nov 2012)

Transcription

1 FACTORS INFLUENCING MALAYSIAN PUBLIC ATTITUDE TO AGRO-BIOTECHNOLOGY Latifah Amin Centre for General Studies Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ILSI SEA Region 6th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety (Nov 2012)

2 INTRODUCTION 21 st century viewed as the era of biotechnology. Potential environmental, social and economic benefits. The advancement in biotech. have been so rapid intense and divisive debate. Controversies due to neglect of needs, interests & concerns of primary stakeholders the commoners (Sagar et al. 2000). Public perceptions, understanding and acceptance of biotechnology can both promote and hamper commercial introduction and adoption of new technologies (Kamaldeen & Powell 2000).

3 METHODOLOGY Data collected from survey on stakeholders in the Klang Valley region 2004/2005: n= /2010: n=434 Instrument developed from previous related research and validated. Statistical analysis- SEM using AMOS version 5.1

4 Awareness, knowledge and general attitude Variable Overall Mean Score 2004/2005 (n=1017) 2009/2010 (n=434) Awareness 3.88* Biotechnology knowledge 4.70* 5.31 General promise of modern biotechnology 5.49** 5.31 General concern of modern biotechnology 4.41** 4.59 Confidence on scientists, industries and government 4.80** - Confidence on GMOs regulation ** Impact of technology 4.62** - Societal values (nature versus materialist) 3.60** - Religious attachment 6.09** - * total score 9.0, ** total score 7.0

5 General attitude Variable Overall Mean Score** 2009/2010 (n=434) Threatening the natural order of things 3.77 Human rights to modify living things 3.55 Monopoly by giant companies and 5.12 developed countries The need for labelling 5.70 ** total score 7.0

6 The pattern of support towards agri-biotechnology products (n=1017)(2004/2005) GM palm oil (modified to reduce saturated fat) Overall mean score* GM insulin (contain human gene) GM soybean (herbicide resistant, contain bacterial gene ) Familiarity Perceived benefit Perceived risk Risk acceptance Moral concern Encouragement , 2, 3 rating; * total score 7.0

7 The pattern of support towards agri-biotechnology products (n=434)(2009/2010) Overall mean score** Golden rice(contain carrot gene to increase vit A) GM rice (contain mice gene to increase vit C) Synthetic rice (contain synthetically made mice gene) Familiarity Perceived benefits Perceived risks Encouragement ** total score 7.0

8 The pattern of support towards agri-biotechnology products (n=434)(2009/2010) Overall mean score** GM Salmon (contain Chinook Salmon gene to enhance growth) GM chicken egg (contain cow s albumin gene to increase protein) GM mother s milk (human mammary gene inserted into sheep) Synthetic mother s milk (synthetic human mammary gene inserted into sheep) Familiarity Perceived benefits Perceived risks Encouragem ent ** total score 7.0

9 CONFIDENCE ON KEY ACTORS 0.25*** FAMILIARITY ENGAGEMENT IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY SOCIETAL VALUE RELIGIOUS ATTACHMENT 0.14*** 0.23*** 0.17*** 0.09* 0.23*** 0.23*** 0.21*** GENERAL PROMISE 0.10* GENERAL CONCERN 0.08* -0.26*** 0.22*** 0.09** 0.19*** 0.08* 0.06* -0.11** 0.33*** 0.10** 0.15*** -0.10** 0.10** -0.09** MORAL CONCERN -0.42*** 0.12*** 0.12*** BENEFIT 0.36** * 0.07* ENCOURAGEMENT -0.10*** 0.06* 0.41*** 0.28*** 0.25*** RISK ACCEPTANCE -0.31*** RISK Structural Equation Model of Attitude towards GM Soybean. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, ***p < Amin et al Factors Influencing Malaysian Public Attitudes to Agro-biotechnology. Public Understanding of Science 20(5):

10 CONCLUSION Overall attitude of the Klang Valley stakeholders towards agri-biotech were cautious. Attitude towards agri-biotech applications - complex issue which involved the interplay between many factors. Risk communication should be looked upon from a broad perspective & multi-aspects. Need to consider various factors/indicators simultaneously.

11 RECOMMENDATIONS Indicators Identified factors can be used as indicators: -by government regulators for technology and risk management -by researchers before embarking on new R&D projects related to modern biotech. - by industries before embarking on commercialization of new biotech. Products Familiarity high Benefit high and clear to consumers Risks low Moral concerns low, acceptable to religious beliefs Confidence on regulation and key actors (scientists, govt regulators, industries) high Labeling needs Technology optimism

12 Communication strategy The model suggests that hierarchical model of communication strategy be adopted. E.g. Positive image of technology contribute to greater familiarity and more positive attitude towards agro-biotech & products. First, disseminate general information on the process of agri-biotechnology in simple terms to the consumers/public. Once the technology/process is understood by the consumers, then information about benefits, risks, moral/religious and regulatory aspects related to specific application/product can be more effectively conveyed. Using this step, consumers will be able to develop knowledge basis and confidence on which they can make informed decisions regarding specific agri- biotech products.

13 Risk assessment and regulation The overall cautious attitude of the stakeholders and the significant role of confidence on key actors & GMO regulations suggest the need for: - transparent and adequate risk assessment procedures including societal benefits and risks and moral/religious acceptance preferably by qualified independent bodies. - adequate and transparent regulatory protection devices by government and industries.

14 The need for labeling The low score on familiarity complement the high need for labeling of modern biotech products. labeling provide consumers with a sense of control over their choices labeling as a sign of manufacturer s confident on product safety.

15 References Latifah Amin, Jamil Ahmad, Jamaluddin Md. Jahi, Abd Rahim Md Nor, Mohamad Osman & Nor Muhamad Mahadi Factors Influencing Malaysian Public Attitudes to Agro-biotechnology. Public Understanding of Science 20(5): Latifah Amin, Noor Ayuni Ahmad Azlan, Jamil Ahmad, Hasrizul Hashim, Abdul Latif Samian & Mohamad Sabri Haron Ethical Perception of Synthetic Biology. African Journal of Biotechnology 10(58): Latifah Amin, Noor Ayuni Ahmad Azlan, Hasrizul Hashim & Jamil Ahmad Ethical Perception of Modern Biotechnology. African Journal of Biotechnology 10(58): Latifah Amin, Mohd Hanafy Gausmian & Nik Marzuki Sidik Public Perception of the Ethical Aspects of Cross-species species Gene Transfers in Animals. International Journal of Sustainable Development 3(7): Latifah Amin, Noor Ayuni Ahmad Azlan, Mohd. Hanafy Gausmian, Jamil Ahmad, Abdul Latif Samian & Mohamad Sabri Haron Ethical Perception of Modern Biotechnology with Special Focus on Genetically Modified Foods among Muslims in Malaysia. Asia-Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology 18(3): Latifah Amin, Noor Ayuni Ahmad Azlan & Hasrizul Hashim Ethical Perception of Cross-Species Gene Transfer in Plant. African Journal of Biotechnology 10(58): ISSN Latifah Amin, Noor Ayuni Ahmad Azlan, Jamil Ahmad Public Perception of the Ethical Aspects of Golden Rice in Malaysia.The International Journal of Science in Society 2: ISSN

16 Latifah Amin, Noor Ayuni Ahmad Azlan, Mohd Fadhli Hamdan, Abdul Latif Samian & Mohamad Sabri Haron Awareness and Knowledge on Modern biotechnology. African Journal of Biotechnology 10(58): : Latifah Amin, Maznah Ibrahim & Zurina Mahadi Malaysian Public Attitude towards Modern Biotechnology: Effect of Some Background Variables. The International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability 5(4): : Latifah Amin, Noor Ayuni Ahmad Azlan & Jamil Ahmad Ethical perception of human gene in transgenic banana. African Journal of Biotechnology 10(58): Latifah Amin Ethical Acceptance of Intra and Trans-Species Gene Transfers: Multicultural Perspectives. Proceeding of the International Conference on Ethics and Profesionalism. pp ISBN Latifah Amin, Jamaluddin Md. Jahi, Abd Rahim Md Nor, Mohamad Osman & Nor Muhamad Mahadi Malaysian Public Attitude Towards Several Modern Biotechnology Applications. Proceedings of the 6 th International Conference on Environment, Ecosystems and Development December, Pyramisa Suites Hotel and Casino, Cairo. ISSN pp. 1-8.