In October 2022, the brand new Authorities of Kenya lifted a decade-long ban on the cultivation and importation of genetically modified meals merchandise (GMOs). The transfer has break up opinions , with politicians and stress teams clashing with biotech scientists over the protection of consuming GMO meals, which had been the principle purpose cited for effecting the ban in 2012. This comes on the again of the worst drought to have an effect on the East African area in 40 years, with the federal government hoping that incorporating GMOs into the meals basket will enhance crop yields and meals safety.

It’s on this foundation that GeoPoll performed a Speedy Survey at first of November to evaluate citizen consciousness of GMOs, their perceptions on the federal government approval, info gaps, and issues that must be addressed. This text particulars the outcomes of the survey.

Consciousness and concern concerning GMO meals and the Kenya authorities approval

An enormous a part of the inhabitants (86%) is conscious of GMOs, doubtless due to the quantity of debate that has been ongoing because the authorities not too long ago lifted the ban. In comparison with an identical examine on GMOs that GeoPoll performed with the Invoice and Melinda Gates Basis in 2014, this can be a important enchancment on the 65% that said some data of GMOs at the moment.

Of people who have been conscious of genetically modified meals, 91% have heard in regards to the authorities approval. Simply over half of respondents (51%) agree in various ranges with the federal government’s choice to approve GMOs, whereas 21% strongly disagree with the choice.

Requested if they’re prepared to eat GMO merchandise, 43% are resolute that they don’t seem to be personally prepared to eat. Thirty-eight p.c don’t thoughts and 19% are uncertain.

Entry to details about GMOs

These conflicting perceptions about GMO meals doubtless stem from a lack of understanding. In our examine, 60% of respondents imagine there isn’t sufficient details about GMO meals obtainable to assist the plenty kind a correct opinion.

The most important section of respondents has gotten most of their details about GMOs through tv. In keeping with the Kenya Media Institution Survey 2022, TV is likely one of the most accessed media channels total, which can clarify why it has the most important particular person attain. Nonetheless, on-line sources (social media and different web sites) mix to offer the most important supply of details about GMOs to a major variety of Kenyans. Provided that on-line channels are largely unregulated, may this create an surroundings for pretend information and misinformation which can additional gas unverified info and myths concerning GMOs?

How can GMO info be extra plausible? For a lot of respondents, agricultural professionals (56%) and medical professionals (43%) are essentially the most most well-liked sources of details about GMOs. The media and authorities come subsequent, in that order.

Are GMO meals merchandise secure?

Over the course of human existence, meals compositions have been altering. Genetic modification of meals, nevertheless, is a comparatively new know-how. Formally, the primary GMO know-how was developed in 1973 with the primary FDA regulation framework coming a few decade later.

Like something new, there are conflicting viewpoints about many points surrounding using GMO meals. One space that attracts plenty of consideration is whether or not they’re suitable for eating. Some research prior to now have attributed GMOs to well being issues, however they’ve largely been discredited by well being and biotechnology consultants. In GeoPoll’s examine, over half (51%) imagine that GMOs are largely unsafe for human consumption – 27% imagine they’re secure, whereas 22% want extra info to make up their minds.

To gauge the extent of concern concerning GMO meals, we requested respondents how involved they’re, if in any respect, in regards to the consumption of GMO meals merchandise. The most important section of the panel (37%) say they’re “extraordinarily involved” with the extent of concern steadily reducing to simply 8% that say they’re “not involved in any respect.”

Considerations about security might stem from the supposed disadvantages of genetically modified meals cited by respondents. The most important proportion (59%) imagine GMOs might result in surprising or dangerous genetic modifications, whereas 51% concern they will trigger illnesses akin to most cancers. Twenty-five p.c of respondents declare GMOs have much less dietary worth.

A number of analysis sources point out that GMOs have a number of advantages to diet, world meals safety, and the local weather. In keeping with the FAO, people might want to produce 70% extra meals to adequately feed the worldwide inhabitants by 2050, and modern approaches akin to genetically engineering our meals can be required to unravel this drawback.

For respondents, the benefits cited most frequently are that genetically modified vegetation and animals develop sooner (48%) and are extra drought-and disease-resistant (43%) – therefore higher for Kenya’s meals safety. That follows GeoPoll’s examine from 2014 through which 48% of respondents believed GMOs may have a excessive or very excessive impression on lowering starvation in Kenya. On this examine, 27% additionally imagine GMOs could also be inexpensive, which might be a major benefit given the ballooning value of residing. One other 24% like that GMOs sometimes use much less pesticides.

The dialog about genetically modified meals is right here and debates can be swirling for a while. Indications from this survey are that GMOs are extremely misunderstood. For GMOs to take off, not simply in Kenya, however in all nations the place GMOs are nonetheless in infancy, it’s crucial for governments, meals and agricultural organizations, and the medical fraternity to closely interact the plenty, each in schooling and addressing their issues.

Within the meantime, meals safety and the standard of meals stay necessary to most individuals. After we requested respondents if the meals high quality is healthier or worse than prior to now, 57% stated meals is worse.

57% really feel that meals is mostly worse now than prior to now

About this GeoPoll survey

This Speedy Survey was run through the GeoPoll cell utility between 3^rd and 4^th of November 2022 in Kenya. The pattern measurement was 708, composed of random App customers between ages 18 and 60. For the reason that survey was randomly distributed, the outcomes are barely skewed in the direction of youthful, male respondents.

To get extra particulars about speedy GeoPoll surveys or to conduct a scientific examine on meals safety and agriculture, public well being and diet, or different matters in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, please contact us.