In a study of public perception of ongoing research to develop reduced-gluten wheat and reduced-allergen peanuts using crossbreeding and genome-editing techniques, scientists Sachin Rustgi of Clemson University and Meghnaa Tallapragada of Temple University examine public perceptions of this research.
The survey highlights differences in public opinion regarding preferences for purchasing and consuming gene-edited peanuts compared with wheat, even though respondents generally considered both research streams to be morally acceptable.
Additionally, for both crops, the conventional crossbreeding method remained the preferred approach.
This study highlights an important point: while government approvals may eventually be granted, public opinion ultimately drives acceptance. Therefore, it is important to consider and integrate public perspectives when planning and conducting the research, rather than only at the end.
For more information, read When visual-verbal overlap matters: examining its boundary conditions in communicating innovations.
