지속가능한 농업 측면에서 유전자변형 농작물에 대한 대학생 인식과 평가

Assessment and Recognition of College Students on Genetically Modified Crops in Sustainable Agriculture

In this study, 41 college students taking an environmental-related class evaluated genetically modified crops(GMO) in terms of sustainable agriculture after watching a documentary and after having a panel discussion respectively. The results of their opinions were then compared. The result of students’ evaluations of GMO in economic sustainability showed a statistically significant difference(p<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences in social sustainability and natural sustainability. The cause of this difference in economic sustainability between a documentary and a panel discussion was the difference of a GMO evaluation between Group 3 and Group 1/Group 2 after a panel discussion; this group difference was statistically significant(p<0.01). 43% of Group 3 students evaluated GMO as a type of economic sustainable technology after watching a documentary, but they did not evaluate it as an economic sustainable technology after having a panel discussion. The reasons for the difference their evaluation after having a panel discussion were as follows. First, GMO increased crop production but could not solve the problem of food shortage. Second, the economical benefit of GMO concentrated on multinational enterprises. Third, a problem of oligopoly of GMO could possible arise. These results imply the direction of GMO technology, which should proceed to support a sustainable agriculture in an organic relationship with economy, society, and nature.