Americans divided over organic, GM foods: poll

Americans are deeply divided in their views about the effects of organic and genetically modified (GM) foods on their health, a new poll said Thursday.

The survey by the Pew Research Center found that 55 percent of Americans believe organically-grown produce is healthier than conventionally-grown varieties, while 41 percent say there is no difference between organics and conventionally-grown produce.

Overall, four-in-ten Americans say that most or some of the food they eat is organic.

Meanwhile, 39 percent of Americans consider GM foods worse for a person's health than other foods, while 48 percent say GM foods are no different from non-GM foods. Only 10 percent say GM foods are better for health.

"The data suggest that people's divisions are linked to their interest in food issues and how they think food consumption ties to their well-being," Cary Funk, lead author and associate director of research at Pew Research Center, said in a statement.

"Their views are not driven by their political attitudes, their level of education, their household income, or where they live."

For example, the 16 percent of U.S. adults who say they care deeply about the issue of GM foods are much more likely than those with less concern about this issue to consider GM foods worse for their health.

These Americans are also much more likely to believe that GM foods are very likely to create health problems for the population as a whole and to consider organic produce healthier.

Specially, the survey found Americans have limited trust in scientists connected with GM food.

"Just 19 percent of Americans say scientists understand the health effects of GM foods 'very well,'" Funk said.

"Some 44 percent of Americans say scientists understand this fairly well and 35 percent say scientists do not understand the health effects of GM at all or not too well."

Indeed, only a minority of Americans says that almost all (14 percent) or more than half (28 percent) of scientists agree that GM foods are safe to eat.

And 35 percent say they trust scientists a lot to give full and accurate information about the health effects of GM foods, while 43 percent partially trust scientists.

Despite mixed assessments of scientists working on GM food issues, 60 percent say scientists should have a major role in policy issues related to GM foods and 28 percent say they should have a minor role.

In addition, the survey revealed that younger Americans, those aged 18 to 49, are more inclined than older adults to consider organic produce better for one's health.

And 48 percent of adults aged 18 to 29 say GM food is worse for one's health than non-GM food. In comparison, 29 percent of those aged 65 and older say GM foods are worse for health.

The findings were based on a nationally representative survey of 1,480 U.S. adults aged 18 years or older between May 10 and June 6. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points. Enditem