• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.185-188
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• 2001

Genetically modified foods and food additives are derived from organisms that have been inserted foreign genetic materials by recombinant DNA techniques to improve the quality or any other pur-poses. The problems such as toxicity, allergenicity and antibiotics resistance in the safety of genetically modified foods are usually concerned. In Korea, the safety of foods is ensured by the Food Sanitation Act. Although there is no specific provision regarding the genetically modified foods in it, any foods that might cause negative effect(s) on public health or human life are prohibited to sell in the market. In order to systematically evaluate safety of genetically modified foods, the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) promulgated "Guidelines regarding review of safety assessment data for genetically modified foods and food additives (KFDA Notification 1999-46)". The objectives of these guidelines are to ensure safety of genetically modified foods and food additives. In order to evaluate the safety of genetically modified foods. KFDA operates a special expert committee composed by experts from government, universities, research institutes. and consumer's unions. Recently. manufacturers and consumers are interested in the issues on safety and labeling of genetically modified foods, because of increment of imported genetically modified crops and processed foods. Since government and consumers unions have different viewpoints, their positions regarding the issue are different each other. Therefore, the regulation of labeling on genetically modified foods is prepared and should be enforced at July 2000 in Korea. in Korea.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.89-102
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• 2002

Genetically modified foods may be defined as the foods deemed as safe by current technology among the many kinds of agricultural and stockbreeding products that are now under research and development using contemporary gene-modification techniques. This study examines hotly debated arguments, both for and against genetically modified- foods, in various countries. This study also investigates consumers'rights and responsibilities. Countries that are developing and exporting genetically modified organisms(GMO) have maintained that GMO can help produce more crops while reducing labor and other production-related costs, and that the genetically modified foods signify ″the second green revolution,″ which will solve future food and environmental problems by strengthening specific nutritive substances and extending shelf-life. But consumer groups, environmental organizations. and food-importing countries are more cautious about importing and consuming those foods because the potential dangers of GMO to human bodies and the environment have not been tested thoroughly yet. South Korea, following suit with others such as EU, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, introduced a law on 'Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods', which went in effect in March, 2001, on the basis of customers'rights to make informed choices. The law takes the ″precautionary principle″ into consideration, rather than stopping at insuring ″substantial equivalence″ in developing and consuming GM foods. The actual impact of the law will depend on the level of citizens'Participation more than on the government's willingness to carry out the law. So far the level of Korean consumers'consciousness about genetically modified foods is very low. Therefore, it is hard to expect consumers to exercise their ″rights not to buy″ foods that are potentially unsafe. The Korean government must devise an effective plan to inform and educate the people about the labeling of genetically modified foods.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1150-1156
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• 2004

The GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) labeling system on raw materials has been in Korea since March 2001, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)-derived foods since July 2001. Therefore, we designed a multiplex PCR method to ascertain the validity of the labeling system and to monitor the status of circulation for genetically modified maize (GM Maize). Five lines of GM Maize (GA21, TC1507, Mon810, NK603, and Bt176) were used, and specific primer pairs were designed to detect each line. Using this method, the different lines of GM Maize were monitored from raw products and processed foods in Korean market. Some of the maize processed foods and raw materials were shown to contain more than one foreign gene. This method was found to be effective for-detecting five different GM Maize in a single reaction.

• Safe Food
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2009

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.331-343
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• 2011

A survey of consumer awareness and attitudes was conducted about genetically modified (GM) foods and the labeling regulations. The questionnaires were distributed to 4,620 consumers who lived in a variety of areas in Korea, and 4,076 people responded. The consumers were asked about knowledge, labeling information, and the source of obtaining information about GM foods. More than 11.5% of the consumers had never heard about GM foods and 86.9% of consumers had less than a normal level of knowledge about GM foods. No statistically significant relationship was found between genders, but the teachers group had moderate knowledge (p<0.001). In total, 28.4% of consumers did not know the GMO labeling regulations. They answered that the reason to buy GM food was do not know>nothing wrong>create benefit>think as safe>inexpensive. The answers to the question of what was the first benefit were: solve food shortage>functional and nutritious food>cultivate in bad condition>nothing>various cultivars. They answered that the worst factor was the next generation effect>environmental disruption. Regarding the development of GM food in Korea, males answered do not know>stronglyrecommend>defer>strongly suppress. Female answered: don't know>defer>strongly recommend>strongly suppress. More than half of the respondents did not have much information about GM foods; 88.3% of respondents answered they did not have educational experience about GM food.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.657-672
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• 2011

This study was a survey of consumer awareness and attitudes about genetically modified foods and their labeling regulations. Questionnaires were distributed to 4,620 consumers who lived in different areas of Korea, and 4,076 people responded. The consumers were asked about knowledge, labeling information, and their sources of information about GM foods. Respondents from Seoul, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam answered mostly "nearly don't know > moderate > never know > know a little." Respondents from Gyeonggi answered "moderate > nearly don't know > never know > know a little." According to occupation, housewives, company employees, consultants, and students answered mostly "nearly don't know > moderate > never know > know a little. "Consumers answered about the intent to buy GM foods differently according to area, occupation, and education. Seoul and Gyeonggi residents said that reinforcing factors to relieve the insecurity of GM foods were "evaluating safety > management of GM foods by the government > GM food regulation system." There were other answers according to area, occupation, and education. About GM-related education methods that they wished to have, residents of the Seoul area said "books/leaflets" most often, but residents of the Gyounggi area said "attending a lecture" most often. Housewives also said "attending a lecture," but teachers and students said "Internetbased education" most often. About the kinds of education that they could join, Seoul residents answered "consumer groups > school parents > public institutions," but Gyeonggi and Chungnam area residents answered "public institutions > consumer groups > school parents." Housewives and students answered "consumer groups" most often, but consultants and private business owners answered "public institutions" most often. We realized that different education methods were necessary for different areas, occupations, and education levels.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.679-686
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to monitor genetically modified bean sprouts at traditional markets in Seoul and to investigate perception of traditional market merchants and high school students on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We analyzed 30 bean sprouts that were selected at 11 traditional markets in Seoul using the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also, we compared perception of GMOs between merchants (n = 30) and students (n = 126). Knowledge test about GMOs was performed by students. The result of PCR, 16.7% of bean sprouts were confirmed as GM bean sprouts (n = 5). Students had significantly more exposure to information about GMOs than merchants (p < 0.05). Major information sources about GMOs were from mass media (television, newspaper and radio). About half of subjects were not aware that they eat GMOs and GMOs are sold to consumers. Only 17.3% of subjects had constant eating intent for GMOs after perceiving foods that he/she usually eats are GMOs. 51.3% of subjects had willingness to purchase GMOs if GMOs have same quality and lower cost than natural foods. 37.2% of subjects thought that GMOs would be harmful to humans. Students had more positive perception of GMOs' side effects than merchants (p < 0.01). There was no merchant who knew labeling of GMOs. 19.1% of students knew labeling of GMOs. Students' mean percentage of correct answers of six questions about GMOs was 45.2%. Therefore, providing adequate information about GMOs is needed for consumer's choice whether to purchase GMOs or not.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.344-347
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• 2003

A method using PCR was developed for the monitoring of genetically modified soybean (GMS) and GMS derived foods utilized in the market. We designed 3 pairs of specific oligonucleotide primers based on epsps and pat inserted in GMS and ferritin gene as internal standards. Template DNAs isolated from soybean and processed foods were used for multiplex PCR with 3 primer sets. PCR, used with specific primer sets for GMS detection, showed the amplified DNA fragments with GMS template DNA. In this study, GMS containing epsps was detected from soy processed foods manufactured before GM food labeling system, however, GMS containing epsps or pat was not detected from soy processed foods manufactured after GM food labeling system.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.351-362
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• 2003

The goal of this study was to examine the effects of perceived risks toward GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) food on the decision-making to purchase it and demands to reveal its Identity. The major results were as follows. First, consumers strongly perceived the risk toward GMO food, and demanded labeling to identify it. But, many consumers had indecisive in the purchase of GMO food. Second, consumers with high level of perceived risks toward GMO food were more likely not to buy GMO food. In addition, the level of perceived risk was high among consumers who had many children. Finally, consumers with high level of perceived risks toward GMO food were more likely to demand the labelling for identifying GMO food. Consumers who had many children and high level of reliability for labelling food safety strongly demanded to label for revealing GMO food.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.338-344
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• 2009

This study analyzed consumers' willingness to pay for price increases to avoid the purchase of GM foods by the expansion of GMO labeling. The subjects were asked about their knowledge of GM, concerns of potential hazards, and sources of obtained GM information. The logit model was employed and marginal effects were calculated to interpret the results. The results showed that consumers who perceived the safety of GM technology were less likely to pay for price increases, while consumers who had concerns about GM foods were more likely to pay. In addition, the study demonstrated that consumers residing in urban areas and with low levels of education and income were also less likely to pay for price increases.