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The public perception of in vitro meat in The Netherlands

Steenhuis, Bob (2016) The public perception of in vitro meat in The Netherlands.

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Abstract:In vitro meat (IVM), meat produced in the laboratory, is a possible alternative to regular meat, of which the production is related to significant problems. However, new food technologies could raise suspicion among consumers and are not automatically accepted by the public (e.g. GM foods). Therefore, public perception and acceptance of food technologies received considerable attention. Current literature on the perception of IVM is limited, as is the knowledge of consumers about IVM. Therefore, this study aims to explore the public perception of IVM with qualitative methods (interviews with stakeholders and focus group discussions with people with different backgrounds). The results show that stakeholders and focus group respondents hold a variety of perceptions, varying from disgust and feelings of unnaturalness to curiosity and sympathy. Risks included health and safety, product flaws and the loss of farms, benefits included less environmental stress, global food security and less animal suffering. The current popularity of biological foods and the low confidence in food, experienced by the focus group respondents, also played a role in the perceptions. This study contributes to the limited literature public perception of IVM, and provides valuable information for parties that are concerned with the introduction, communication or policy decisions.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:02 science and culture in general, 05 communication studies, 42 biology, 48 agricultural science, 70 social sciences in general
Programme:Science Education and Communication MSc (60708)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/69214
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