Debunking Misinformation About Genetically Modified Food Safety on Social Media: Can Heuristic Cues Mitigate Biased Assimilation?

2021 ◽  
pp. 107554702110220
Author(s):  
Yuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Social Endorsement ◽  
Biased Assimilation ◽  
Source Cues

Focusing on debunking misinformation about genetically modified (GM) food safety in a social media context, this study examines whether source cues and social endorsement cues interact with individuals’ preexisting beliefs about GM food safety in influencing misinformation correction effectiveness. Using an experimental design, this study finds that providing corrective messages can effectively counteract the influence of misinformation, especially when the message is from an expert source and receives high social endorsements. Participants evaluate misinformation and corrective messages in a biased way that confirms their preexisting beliefs about GM food safety. However, their initial misperceptions can be reduced when receiving corrective messages.

Correcting Misperceptions About Genetically Modified Food on Social Media: Examining the Impact of Experts, Social Media Heuristics, and the Gateway Belief Model

2020 ◽  
pp. 107554702098137
Author(s):  
Leticia Bode ◽  
Emily K. Vraga ◽  
Melissa Tully
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
The Public ◽  
Scientific Consensus ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
The Impact

We experimentally test whether expert organizations on social media can correct misperceptions of the scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) food for human consumption, as well as what role social media cues, in the form of “likes,” play in that process. We find expert organizations highlighting scientific consensus on GM food safety reduces consensus misperceptions among the public, leading to lower GM misperceptions and boosting related consumption behaviors in line with the gateway belief model. Expert organizations’ credibility may increase as a result of correction, but popularity cues do not seem to affect misperceptions or credibility.

scholarly journals Microblog credibility indicators regarding misinformation of genetically modified food on Weibo

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252392
Author(s):  
Jiaojiao Ji ◽  
Naipeng Chao ◽  
Shitong Wei ◽  
George A. Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Predictive Power ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Supervised Machine Learning ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
The Public ◽  
Gm Food

The considerable amount of misinformation on social media regarding genetically modified (GM) food will not only hinder public understanding but also mislead the public to make unreasoned decisions. This study discovered a new mechanism of misinformation diffusion in the case of GM food and applied a framework of supervised machine learning to identify effective credibility indicators for the misinformation prediction of GM food. Main indicators are proposed, including user identities involved in spreading information, linguistic styles, and propagation dynamics. Results show that linguistic styles, including sentiment and topics, have the dominant predictive power. In addition, among the user identities, engagement, and extroversion are effective predictors, while reputation has almost no predictive power in this study. Finally, we provide strategies that readers should be aware of when assessing the credibility of online posts and suggest improvements that Weibo can use to avoid rumormongering and enhance the science communication of GM food.

scholarly journals Are consumers loyal to genetically modified food? Evidence from Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fazlul K. Rabbanee ◽  
Tanzim Afroz ◽  
Mostafa Mahmud Naser
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
Consumer Loyalty ◽  
Repurchase Intention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Parsimonious Model

PurposeGenetically modified (GM) food has received considerable interest from academics and practitioners. However, research on consumer loyalty towards GM food is relatively sparse. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour, this study aims to explore the factors that influence consumer repurchase intention and behavioural loyalty towards GM food.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 464 Australian consumer panel members surveyed through a nationwide online survey, with data analysed by structural equation modelling using AMOS (v. 22.0).FindingsThe findings reveal that consumer loyalty towards GM food is influenced by the interplay between awareness of benefits and risks, situational and social influences and attitude and repurchase intention. Female consumers are found to not only possess a relatively more favourable attitude and repurchase intention, but also are more loyal towards GM food compared to male consumers. Unlike older consumers, younger consumers' loyalty towards GM food is influenced by their attitude and repurchase intention. The relevant policy implications of the findings are discussed.Practical implicationsAs consumers have contrasting views about GM food, to influence their loyalty, it is important for GM food industries as well as policy makers to better understand how to address consumers' varying concerns about GM food.Originality/valueThis study offers a parsimonious model for explaining the factors that influence consumer loyalty towards GM food.

scholarly journals Labeling of genetically modified food: Closer to reality in the United States?

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton E. Wohlers
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Labeling ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Regulatory Changes ◽  
Gm Animals ◽  
Near Future

Within the broader context of several related biotech developments, including the proliferation of GM food in American grocery stories, the recent decision by Whole Foods Market, Inc. to require the labeling of all genetically modified (GM) organism products sold in its stores by 2018, and the development of GM animals for consumption, this essay asks whether the United States is inching towards a policy of mandatory GM food labeling. The analysis highlights aspects of the biotechnology policy debate in the United States and European Union, and traces public opinion as well as grassroots and legislative efforts aimed at GM food labeling. Findings show that activities at the federal level do not suggest any major regulatory changes regarding labeling in the near future; however, a growing number of individual states are considering GM food labeling legislation and political momentum in favor of labeling has picked up in recent years. Voluntary labeling by food companies may also become increasingly common.

scholarly journals Are science festivals a good place to discuss heated topics?

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. A07 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sacha Altay ◽  
Camille Lakhlifi
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Public Acceptance ◽  
The Public ◽  
Positive Shift ◽  
Good Place ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Controversial Nature

Public acceptance of vaccination and Genetically Modified (GM) food is low and opposition is stiff. During two science festivals in France, we discussed in small groups the scientific evidence and current consensus on the benefits of vaccination and GM food safety. Our interventions reinforced people's positive opinions on vaccination and produced a drastic positive shift of GM food opinions. Despite the controversial nature of the topics discussed, there were very few cases of backfire effects among the 175 participants who volunteered. These results should encourage scientists to engage more often with the public during science festivals, even on heated topics.

scholarly journals Consumers’ Switching Preference from Conventional Food to Genetically Modified Food

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-28
Author(s):  
Phuah Kit Teng ◽  
Bernard Lim Jit Heng ◽  
Siti Intan Nurdiana Wong Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Biotechnology Industry ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Quality Food ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Informational Reinforcement

Today, the demand for quality food is increasing and genetically modified food has become part of the Asian diet. Based on the potential of GM food products and Malaysia’s plan to expand its biotechnology industry, the market for GMO will surge if Malaysian consumers are well-informed on the advantages of GM food products. Therefore, this study proposed nine hypothesis to understand Malaysia consumers’ preference for switch from conventional food to genetically modified food. The result indicates that utilitarian, aversive and informational reinforcement will increase consumers’ preference towards genetic modified food if they are aware that genetically modified food brings more advantages than disadvantages to human being. In addition, result shows that consumer who switch will have higher intention to recommend GMO food to others and willing to pay more for GMO food.

scholarly journals Consumer Response to Genetically Modified Food Products in Japan

2003 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill J. McCluskey ◽  
Kristine M. Grimsrud ◽  
Hiromi Ouchi ◽  
Thomas I. Wahl
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Contingent Valuation Method ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Export Market ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Valuation Method ◽  
Perceptions And Attitudes ◽  
Education Levels

In Japan, a large U.S. export market, there has been growing public opposition against genetically modified (GM) foods. Using a dichotomous choice contingent valuation method, findings show the discount needed for Japanese Seikyou consumers to purchase GM food products is positively affected (i.e., a greater discount is required) by higher levels of self-reported risk perceptions toward GM food, higher levels of concern about food safety and the environment, higher self-reported knowledge about biotechnology, education levels, and income. Interestingly, gender does not significantly affect the discount needed for GM food. Further, it can be inferred from the results that a transformation of Japanese consumers’ perceptions and attitudes is needed for GM food products to successfully enter the Japanese market.

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