Are American’s Attitudes Toward GM Science Really Negative? An Academic Examination of Attitudes and Willingness to Expose Attitudes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to reexamine attitudes toward GM (genetic modification) science and explore whether tenets of the historic spiral of silence theory still exist to explain attitudes and willingness to expose attitudes. A national survey of 1,050 U.S. residents revealed the majority of respondents had positive attitudes toward GM science; however, these respondents were no more willing to express their attitudes compared to those with neutral or negative attitudes. The findings from this study did not fully support the spiral of silence but provided insight into public opinion formation and measurement.