Current structure of genetically modified crops and consumers' knowledge in Adana

ABSTRACTMASTER THESISCURRENT STRUCTURE OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS ANDCONSUMERS? KNOWLEDGE IN ADANAAli Necati YILDIRIMDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICSINSTITUTE OF NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCESUNIVERSITY OF ÇUKUROVAAdvisor : Assoc.Prof. Dr. Dilek BOSTAN BUDAKYear: 2006, Pages:48Jury : Assoc.Prof. Dr.Dilek BOSTAN BUDAKAssoc.Prof. Dr.Nazan DARCANAssist.Prof. Dr.Tuna ALEMDARGenetically modified (GM) foods have been in the marketplace since 1996.Today, approximately 90,0 million hectares of GM crops, in 21 countries, are grownin the world, with farmers producing GM soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, squash andpapaya. The increased hectare growing GM crops is an important trend withimplications for the future adoption and acceptance of biotech crops worldwide.The continuing rapid adoption of GM crops reflects the substantialimprovements in productivity, the environment, economics, health and socialbenefits realized by farmers, consumers and society in both industrial and developingcountries. Despite continuing concerns about GM foods consumers support new usesof the technology. From the survey results, it is clear that consumers will demandGM foods if they are healthy and cheap in Adana. The survey shows that educationand income level of consumers play a significant role in people knowledge towardGM foods. Finally, majority of consumers believe that GM foods will be veryimportant for the next generation.Keywords: Genetically modified, consumer, knowledge, AdanaII