Consumer behavior towards chicken fed with genetically modified high available phosphorus (HAP) corn.

摘要

The poultry industry is of great economic importance to the Delmarva Peninsula which includes Delaware and the eastern shores of Maryland and Virginia. Based on pounds of poultry meat produced in 2004, Delaware is ranked at 7th, Maryland at 9th and Virginia at 10th in the United States. Nutrient pollution from poultry industry in the form of high phosphorus levels in streams, lakes and rivers in Delmarva area is currently a matter of great concern. A possible solution to phosphorus pollution is the use of genetic engineering in developing a hybrid corn, i.e. HAP corn. This study measured consumer willingness to purchase chicken fed with varieties of feeds, especially genetically modified (GM) High Available Phosphorus (HAP) corn. A conjoint analysis based method was used, and data was collected using a mail survey.; Overall, this study did not find a strong like/dislike for GM HAP fed chicken. Some sensitivity was observed, however the results encourage industrial production of GM HAP corn. The results also show that non-GM HAP fed chicken is preferred over GM HAP fed chicken. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)