Determining the views and awareness levels of hospital employees on genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their effects on our health: The example of Sinop

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are the organisms which are formed via altered gene sequences of the organisms. The other way is to introduce a new gene transfer into the organism and giving it a feature that is not existing in it. These kind of products are called transgenetic. The discussions over these products has accelerated recent years. Food products are one of the most important factor that affect our health so it is important for producers to know either the products are safe or not. The producers are also responsible for the safety of the product they present to the final consumer. The positive effects of GMOs are to be used in vaccine and medicine production, organ transplantation and treatment of diseases, to provide resistance of plants to pests, to increase long shelf life and nutritional quality. Allergic reactions, toxic effects and ecological diversity are among the possible risks of GMOs. In this study, ıt is aimed to measure the level of knowledge of GMOs and their effects over the health of the personnel working in state hospitals in Sinop province. In this concept the 312 personnel working at Sinop Ataturk State Hospital and Gerze State Hospital are applied a questionnaire. The results show that the knowledge of the participants on the subject of GMOs`effect and its damage on the health are high but its necessity of use in the food sector and the perception of official information, supervision and awareness are low. Also differences are seen among the participants on their perception of the situation according to their gender and marital status. Suggestions are made according to the results of the study.