Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2016, Environmental Sciences

The relatively recent rise of genetic modification technology and its increasing use has changed the agricultural, economic, and regulatory landscape of the United States. This technology is considered by many to be controversial. There are similarly many topics to consider when making an informed decision regarding the use of genetically modified organisms in agricultural application. Opponents of this technology are increasingly demanding non-GMO alternatives, which are perceived as safer and higher quality than GMOs, which are viewed by many as unnatural. The Ohio Farmers Union (OFU) wishes to meet this growing consumer demand for non-GMO seed, feed, and grain by creating useful and accessible resources for buyers and sellers of these commodities. Part one of this report is a review of current literature on these issues, to present a view of the significance and relevance of non-GMO production in today's world. Part Two discusses the creation of an online platform for the sale and exchange of non-GMO grains and a forum for communication between producers to allow for increased knowledge and awareness of current GMO issues. Part Three discusses the future possibility of creating an OFU-branded certification scheme for non-GMO seed, feed, and grain, while keeping in mind the issues and barriers discussed throughout Part One.

Committee: Alfredo Huerta (Advisor); Marguerite Shaffer (Committee Member); Suzanne Zazycki (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture; Food Science

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2014, Biological Sciences

Bt crops are one of the most commonly utilized genetically modified crops worldwide. Bt crops contain a gene that is derived from the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, which produces the Cry1Ab toxin. Bt corn that contains the Cry1Ab toxin is used throughout the Midwest United States to control crop pests such as the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). Headwater streams in regions known for intensive agriculture receive Bt corn detritus following the fall harvest, which is then consumed by a diverse community of stream invertebrates. The rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) is an common invertebrate detritivore in these headwater streams. Both isogenic and Bt corn were grown under the controlled environmental conditions of a greenhouse and, following senescence, were tested for nutritional equality. Rusty crayfish were exposed to one of several detrital treatments composed of Bt corn, Bt corn plus American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), isogenic corn, isogenic corn plus P. occidentalis, or P. occidentalis for eight weeks. Crayfish were housed in live streams with a water temperature of 12.8°C and a 12:12 photoperiod. Survival and growth of animals within each experimental treatment were monitored each week. After eight weeks of exposure, there was a statistically significant difference in growth and survival between crayfish in Bt and isogenic treatments. These results suggest that the Bt and isogenic corn were of equivalent nutritional value, but Bt corn does have a toxic affect on rusty crayfish during long-term exposure.

Committee: Paul Moore (Advisor); Karen Root (Committee Member); Jeffrey Miner (Committee Member) Subjects: Biology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2005, Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics

This study conducts a multi-country survey on consumer acceptance of genetically modified (GM) foods in the United States and Taiwan and an experimental auction in Japan to estimate consumers' willingness to pay a premium for non-GM foods and/or their willingness to accept a discount on GM foods. The first essay reports results from a U.S. national telephone survey. The survey questionnaire involves stated preference (SP) questions of vegetable oil, cornflakes, and salmon. American consumers are generally accepting of GM foods. Among the determinants of choice, subjective variables such as perception of benefits and risks and level of knowledge are important. The estimated mean non-GM premiums are, respectively, 44.5%, 35.7%, 38.1%, and 56.9% of the base price to avoid GM vegetable oil, GM cornflakes, GM-fed salmon, and GM salmon. The SP question takes account of indifferent respondents. The second essay is based on the Taiwanese telephone survey. Taiwanese consumers indicate positive attitudes toward GM foods as compared to American consumers. The mean non-GM premium and the mean GM discount are estimated, and the equality between the two mean values is tested. We find no evidence against the equality, which indicates that Taiwanese consumers consider non-GM and GM foods to be substitutable. We also examine the effect of initial non-GM/GM choice on the propensity to switch alternatives given the price increase or discount. We find that the willingness to switch is different between the non-GM and GM choosers because the two groups have different choice criteria. The third essay studies Japanese consumers' willingness to pay a premium for non-GM foods based on the experimental auctions. We find that Japanese consumers are not too opposed to GM foods, and the estimated GM discounts are 37% for canola oil and 44% for natto (a soy product), which indicates that Japanese consumers are willing to accept GM foods if they are sufficiently discounted. We test the equality b (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Wen Chern (Advisor) Subjects: Economics, Agricultural

MS, Kent State University, 2012, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge of registered dietitians nationwide on the topic of genetically modified organisms. A secondary purpose of this study is to determine if knowledge affects the perception that dietitian¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿s hold on this topic. A survey was electronically distributed to seven states in all regions of the county, via each state¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿s respective dietetic practice group¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿s list-serv. There were 284 respondents distributed evenly from each of the four regions of the United States. This study utilized a univariate ANOVA based on the dietitian¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿s knowledge versus perception. This study found that dietitians in fact do lack knowledge in the area of genetically modified organisms, with only 22% receiving a score of 70% or higher. Also found was the more knowledgeable a dietitian was on the topic of genetically modified organisms, the more likely they were to oppose the genetic modification of organisms. The results of this study show the lack of overall knowledge held by Registered Dietitians related to the topic of genetically modified organisms, as well as a significant trend of increasing opposition when knowledge is high. These findings suggest that it is essential for the dietetic professionals to be equipped with the latest evidence-based research, in order to best educate and protect clients, consumers, and the overall well being of the public.

Committee: Natalie Caine-Bish Dr. (Advisor); Jodie Luidhardt MS (Committee Member); Laurie Wagner Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture; Biology; Nutrition

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2013, Communication

This study examined how media formats and individual differences interacted to influence risk perceptions about environmental issues. In 3 (news, documentary, fictional entertainment) X 2 (hydraulic fracturing, genetically modified organisms) mixed between-and-within subject experiment, participants (N=133) completed a pretest survey, viewed a video, and completed a posttest survey. Results indicate that the impacts of transportation, identification, and ideology on risk perceptions are mediated by affect. Documentary films were the most effective condition, regardless of ideology.

Committee: Erik Nisbet (Advisor); Emily Moyer-Gusé (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication