Perception of genetically modified organisims of the staff members of Akdeniz University

The purpose of this study is to explore the perception and level of knowledge of the stuff members of Akdeniz University about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). For this, a survey is conducted to collected data at Akdeniz University. Study covers the stuff members of the university. A total of 156 staff were visited. Deterministic statistics are obtained. t-test and ANOVA techniques were applied to detect any difference in the GMO perceptions of the staff members of Akdeniz Üniversity based on the demographic characteristics. Research results indicate that staff members do not have concrete knowledge about the GMO. They have negative perception of the GMOs. They think the there is not enough public information about GMOs and GMOs are harmful for both human health and the environment. In addition, provisions by the government to audit GMOs is not appropriate. Test results reveal that there is not a statistically singinifant difference between group of the GMOs perceptions of the staff members based on the demographic characteristics, sufficiencies of the public information about the GMOs, human health and the environment impact of the GMOs, and auditability of the GMOs. The knowledge of the staff on GMOs needs to be increased, and related institutions should develop programs to increase the avareness of the GMOs. Keywords: Genetically Modified Organisms, Perception of the GMO, Akdeniz University