Preference for oils with different types of genetic modifcations in Temuco, Araucanía Region, Chile

• Published in: Ciencia e investigación agraria 2010-04, Vol.37 (1), p.17-28
• Main Authors: Schnettler, Berta(Universidad de La Frontera Department of Agricultural Production), González, Abel(Universidad de La Frontera), Avila, Richard(Universidad de La Frontera Department of Agricultural Production), Miranda, Horacio(Universidad de La Frontera Department of Agricultural Production), Sepúlveda, José(Universidad de La Frontera Department of Psychology), Denegri, Marianela(Universidad de La Frontera Department of Psychology)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aceite; AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; alimentos transgénicos; market segmentation; oil; segmentación de mercado; tipo de modifcación genética; transgenic foodstuffs; type of genetic modifcation
• ISSN: 0718-1620; 0718-1620
• DOI: 10.4067/S0718-16202010000100002

Considering that attitudes towards biotechnology depend on the type of modifcation used, a study was performed to determine the importance of the type of Genetic Modifcation (GM) in preferences for oil purchased by consumers in Temuco (Araucanía Region, Chile) and the existence of different market segments using a survey of 400 people. A conjoint analysis demonstrated that the type of GM (70.3%) was more important than the price of the oil (29.7%). Four segments were distinguished using an analysis of hierarchical conglomerates, but the type of GM was the most important factor in all segments. Two groups preferred oil without GM and oil with GM that reduces the use of pesticides and rejected oil with GM that increases calcium content; the larger of these groups (42.8%) preferred to pay a lower price, while the other (16.8%) they preferred higher priced oils. One group (27.2%) rejected all types of GM. The smallest group (13.2%) rejected oil without GM and preferred oil with GM that reduces the use of pesticides and oil with GM that increases calcium. All of the groups rejected oil with GM that reduces production costs. The groups were differentiated by the family size, lifestyle, ethnic origin, reading of the labels on foodstuffs, and the variety of oil habitually consumed. The absence of GM in oils is desirable for the majority of consumers (86.8%); however, a high proportion (72.8%) would accept oils with GM that reduces the use of pesticides. Considerando que las actitudes respecto a la biotecnología dependen del tipo de modifcación realizada, se estudió la importancia del tipo de modifcación genética (MG) en la compra de aceite en consumidores de Temuco (Región de La Araucanía, Chile) y la existencia de diferentes segmentos de mercado, mediante una encuesta a 400 personas. Utilizando análisis conjunto se determinó que el tipo de MG (70,3%) fue más importante que el precio (29,7%). Mediante análisis de conglomerados jerárquicos se diferenciaron cuatro segmentos, pero en todos fue más importante el tipo de MG. Dos grupos prefrieron al aceite sin MG y el aceite con MG para reducir el uso de pesticidas y rechazaron el aceite MG para aumentar el contenido de calcio, de éstos el mayoritario (42,8%) prefrió pagar el menor precio mientras el otro (16,8%) prefrió el precio mayor. Un grupo (27,2%) rechazó todos los tipos de MG. el grupo minoritario (13,2%) rechazó el aceite sin MG, prefrió el aceite MG para reducir el uso de pesticidas y el aceite MG para aument