GM Food Opposition Continues

Opponents outnumber supporters 3:1 -- whilst those undecided doubles

The British public still remains firmly opposed to Genetically Modified (GM) food, according to new research by MORI Social Research Institute.

As the Government-sponsored public debate on GM comes to an end, just less than half (46%) are opposed, with only one in seven (14%) in support.

Tracking public opinion through time, MORI research shows that support for GM has fallen since the issue first emerged in the media spotlight in 1996. Then, close to one in three (31%) supported GM food, but by 1998 it had weakened to 22%. Support then steadily declined still further, reaching 14% in 2003, its lowest level.

While opposition has remained relatively stable since 1996 at around the 50% mark, it is significant that for the first time opposition to GM is below 50%, albeit marginally. This is not because of any rise in support, but rather a substantial increase in the proportion undecided about GM. In 1998 this accounted for only one in six (16%), but has now increased to as many as one in three (33%).

The increasing indecision among the public is likely to be the result of the complexity of the issue, the polarised nature of the debate and the range of arguments currently being discussed either in favour or in opposition to GM as it once again becomes the focus of media attention.

An important feature of public opinion towards GM food is its consistency across the British public; opposition unites different income groups, ages and regions of the country.

There are indeed only few variations to note, although they are revealing; for example women continue to be more opposed than men (51% versus 40%), while opposition continues to be greatest in the South West of England (55%) and Wales (53%). Support in these areas is as low as one in ten (10%). Furthermore, while opposition characterises all political perspectives, it is lower among intending Labour voters (41%) and highest among Liberal Democrat supporters (57%).

Philip Downing, Head of Environmental Research at MORI, notes "Strong public opposition to GM food has been a feature of the debate ever since it first emerged, a sentiment which is most evident in the South West. But while GM struggles to win many friends among the public there are an increasing proportion of people who are undecided, which may concern opponents".

Technical details

The Survey was carried out among a representative quota sample of 1,958 adults aged 15 years +, face-to-face and in-home across 192 sampling points in Great Britain between 19-24 June 2003. All data have been weighted to the known profile of the British Population.

Sources for previous surveys:

1. MORI/Greenpeace, 1,003 adults, aged 15+, telephone, Great Britain, 13-15 December 1996
2. MORI/GeneWatch, 950 adults, aged 15+, face-to-face, in home, Great Britain, 6-8 June 1998
3. MORI Environment Research Bulletin, 2,141 adults, aged 15+, face-to-face, in-home, Great Britain, 6-10 February 2003