Genetically Engineered Foods and Moral Absolutism: A Representative Study from Germany

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Food Technology
• Social Science

Background:

• The debate on genetic engineering (GE) in food production involves contrasting viewpoints on its role in global food security versus corporate interests.
• Understanding the underlying moral attitudes driving these divergent positions is crucial for addressing discourse failure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the moral attitudes of GE opponents and supporters in Germany.
• To identify factors contributing to the persistent divide in the GE debate.

Main Methods:

• Survey-based research examining moral attitudes.
• Analysis of willingness to donate for or against GE admission.

Main Results:

• GE opponents exhibit significantly more absolutist moral views compared to supporters.
• GE opponents are less likely to adopt outcome-based perspectives than supporters.
• Opponents show a greater willingness to donate to prevent GE admission than supporters do to promote it.

Conclusions:

• Divergent moral attitudes, particularly the absolutist stance of opponents versus the outcome-based views of supporters, contribute to the stable and stark divide in the German GE debate.
• Addressing the GE debate requires understanding and acknowledging these differing moral frameworks.