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Potential Acceptance of Genetically-Modified Technology by Agricultural High School Students

As much as 40% of the worlds agricultural production is lost due to weeds, diseases and other pests. Crops that are modified to help manage these pests could reduce this loss in production. The technology could facilitate yield increases that are not possible through conventional breeding and cultivation system. Additionally, it may be possible to grow crops in areas where temperatures, water quantity, and soil conditions are extreme. This study was conducted to investigate the potential acceptance of genetically-modified (GM) technology by agricultural high school students. The students (1,152) at 15 agricultural high schools in Korea were surveyed by questionnaire. Results were compiled and statistically analyzed by SPSS program. Of the students surveyed, 63% had first learned about genetically-modified organisms (GMO) through television while 18% of the students first learned the information in school class. The students thought that the increased crop production was due to either 1) more advanced management techniques (34%), 2) reduced agrochemical use through organic agriculture (31%), or 3) the use of more advanced GM technology (21%). Also, 77% of the students surveyed hoped that the GM technology would contribute to increased crop productivity that would eventually solve existing world food deficits. The students stated that the crop protection methods involving GM technology that could be used against diseases, insects, and weeds would be more advantageous than agrochemical applications to crop land. Most of the students had unfavorable experiences using chemical and physical weed control at an educational farm. However, they did not want to use herbicides as a means of chemical weed control. Most of the students expected GM technology to improve crop productivity and crop quality of agricultural products, while reducing farm labor costs.