The environmental feature in consumer purchasing preferences: The case of Genetically Modified foods

Progress in Biotechnology (Gene Revolution) tends to be compared with that of the Green Revolution in the sixties and seventies. This process is developing in a context of increasing concern by the consumers for food safety and environmental conservation, stirring controversy in the scientific community and society about the potential benefits and possible risks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In this context, the purpose of the present study is to estimate consumer preferences in relation to genetically modified (GM) foods, emphasizing the relative importance of environmental attribute, to develop an understanding of the factors influencing consumer purchasing decisions.