THE CONSUMPTION OF TRANSGENIC FOODS (TFs) IN SOUTH OF MANAB͍, ECUADOR

El consumo de alimentos transgénicos en el Sur de ManabÍ­

Abstract

With the objectives of: i) determining the presence of Trangenic Foods (FTs) in supermarket and business chains, ii) knowing the civil society's preceptions about FTs and iii) determine the perception of the university community about ATs; visits were made to shopping centers such as the Comisariato, AKI, TIA and neighborhood stores, in Jipijapa, Porto Viejo and Manta. So, surveys were conducted with 13 questions to 250 consumers of civil society and 425 surveys to the university community of UNESUM. The results showed that 40% of young people know about TFs and more than 50% know how to identify them. We could infer that the level of compression and knowledge about TFs in Ecuador has changed in recent years. We were able to determine that both groups surveyed consider that Tfss are important for sale due to economic interests, international pressure and the request of consumers. On the other hand, the perception of both was that TFs are beneficial for consumption, but when asked about the benefits or harms of TFs, they indicated that they are harmful to health and the environment. In addition, civil society considers TFs to be of greater importance because they are cheaper, and the university community said that the most important thing is the greater conservation of TFs. Finally, both groups mentioned that they would buy the TFs and that they have the right to decide to consume them; and, both groups emphasized that companies are under the obligation that their products and/or TF must present visible labels. The high significance at P <0.01 of the probability of the criteria in the 13 questions asked in each question and in each group was noted, indicating that at least one criterion was different.