Consumer Evaluation of Genome-edited Food Products: A Case of Fully Farmed Tuna

Abstract

The resource management of bluefin tuna includes the development of full farming technology and varieties of tuna suitable for farming through the use of genome-editing techniques. This study employed a choice experiment to examine consumers’ evaluation of genome-edited and fully farmed tuna in Japan. The results revealed a negative attitude toward the use of genome-editing technology, implying that the extent to which the use of technology can reduce the price of tuna is key for diffusion. Because the majority of respondents were still unfamiliar with the technology, improving their understanding of the technology, explaining its effectiveness in the resource management of tuna, and increasing consumers’ interest in ethical consumption are key to improving consumers’ evaluations of genome-edited and fully farmed tuna.