Russians see more negative consequences of using the GM foods; 83% of Russians would support the ban on GM foods.
MOSCOW, October 16, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning the opinion of Russians on the consequences of the use of GM products, as well as the attitudes of Russians towards the initiative to ban the GM foods in Russia.
Most of Russians (82%) are confident that GM foods harm human health; those who agree with this statement are Russians aged 18-24 (81%), aged over 60 (77%), residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg (75%) and residents of small cities (79%). Two-thirds of respondents (67%) believe that this food may cause cancer. More than half of Russians are afraid of infertility and mutations caused by GM foods (60% and 59%, respectively).
One-third of respondents (38%) think that GM crops may help solving the problem of world hunger (metropolitan residents – 49%; rural area residents– 32%); 38% of Russians oppose them. Most of respondents do not believe that GM foods may help getting rid of obesity (64%) or improve the immune system (68%).
Ban on GM foods is supported by 83% of Russians; 75% say that such products harm human health. Seven percent of those who support this measure say that they like eating natural food. Only 6% oppose the initiative stating that it may increase prices for other products (30%).
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on May 24-25, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
Which of the following statements about the GM products do you most agree with? (closed-ended question, one answer per each line) | |||
| Rather agree | Rather disagree |
Don`t know |
GM foods harm health | 82 | 6 | 12 |
GM foods cause cancer | 67 | 10 | 24 |
GM foods cause infertility | 60 | 12 | 28 |
GM foods cause mutations | 59 | 15 | 26 |
GM foods help solving world hunger | 38 | 38 | 24 |
GM foods help getting rid of obesity | 9 | 64 | 26 |
GM foods improve immune system | 9 | 68 | 23 |
What is your attitude toward banning the genetically modified foods in Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer) | |||||
Total respondents | Elementary (incomplete secondary) education | Secondary education (school, vocational school) | Specialized secondary education (technical school) | Incomplete higher (not less than three years in a higher education institute), higher education | |
Definitely support the ban | 57 | 39 | 58 | 54 | 61 |
Rather support | 26 | 27 | 25 | 29 | 25 |
Rather not support | 5 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
Definitely not support | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Don`t know | 11 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 7 |
Why do you support the ban on GM foods? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, % of those who support the ban) | |
Total respondents | |
GM foods substantially damage health | 75 |
I prefer natural products | 7 |
The impact of GM foods on human health are not studied enough | 3 |
Russia has enough opportunities to produce non-GMO products | 2 |
Too many harmful supplements | 1 |
I do not want to eat such products | 1 |
GM products damage soil | <1 |
Other | 2 |
Don`t know | 11 |
Why do you oppose the ban on GM foods? (open-ended question, not more than three answers, % of those who do not support the ban) | |
Total respondents | |
It will increase the prices for other products | 30 |
It will cause the lack for products | 18 |
There are no absolutely natural and harmless products | 12 |
The harmful effects of GM foods is not proved; they are not harmful | 10 |
People must decide themselves what they want to buy | 5 |
Other | 3 |
Don`t know | 2 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!