The attitudes and risk perceptions of academicians about genetic modified organisms: Osmaniye Korkut Ata Universty example

This study aimed to determine the attitudes and risk perceptions of the instructors working in the fall semester of 2016-2017 academic year at Osmaniye Korkut Ata University. The research was carried out with the participation of 100 academicians. Quantitative descriptive model was applied in the study. The data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of eight chapters. In the first part of the questionnaire, there are statements defining the demographic characteristics of academicians, while in other parts of academics, there are general statements about the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the determinants of risk perception. SPSS package program was used for data analysis. The information obtained were evaluated by using percentage, frequency, T-test, one-way analysis of variance. It was concluded that most of the academicians had higher risk perceptions about GMOs and did not consider GMO applications to be ethical. It was also concluded that most participants have negative approach towards GMO products is that they tend to consume and consume genetically modified organisms are highly opposed to the use of their results in Turkey. According to gender, age and department variables, t-test and one-way analysis of variance was performed to determine whether there was a significant difference between them. According to the results of the analysis, it was determined that these factors did not make a significant difference in the attitudes and risk perceptions about GMO. Key Words: Biotechnology, genetically modified organism (GMO), food, attitude, risk perceptions.