Welcome to my online survey of attitudes
toward technologically altered food.
.
My name is V.J. Bonda and I am a graduate student at the University of Akron.  As part of my work toward a master’s degree in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences,  I am conducting a study of attitudes toward technologically enhanced food. The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of the attitudes people have towards such new products as genetically engineered, food produced through biotechnology, as well as the use of  irradiation and nutraceuticals in the production of food. 

I am asking that you take a few minutes and complete the attached questionnaire regarding your background and attitudes. Please answer the questions to the best of your knowledge.  Also, please understand that your privacy is completely protected. It is not necessary that you supply your name for completion of your part of the study, and be assured that anonymity of you as the respondent and your responses will be protected throughout the study.  In no way will any recipient of your completed survey be able to trace your answers back to you.

Your email address will not be forwarded when you complete the survey and click on the submit button.Participation in the study is voluntary and you can refrain from answering any or all questions without penalty or explanation. Please note that your responses are appreciated and will add to the validity of the study. It is estimated that your initial participation will take approximately 10 minutes.   Your only participation will involve completing the survey that follows.

If you have any questions or comments concerning this study, you can contact me at my major professor’s office at (330) 972-6044. This survey was approved by the Institutional Review Board for Protection of Human Subjects at The University of Akron. Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
                    VJ Bonda

Directions
Please, complete the following form electronically by clicking on the appropriate response, or making a selection from drop down selection menues. Your cooperation greatly appreciated.

After you have answered each question, press the "Submit" button at the bottom of the page. 
This action will email your questionnaire to the primary investigator of the research project.

Section A
Answer the following questions marking one of the options

1 Yes 2 No 3 Undecided 4 I haven't paid much attention to this issue
STATEMENT 1 2 3 4
1. A genetically modified (GM) food is the product of a plant with genes inserted from another organism, resulting in a desired trait that would not have been otherwise possible. Do you think genetically modified foods are safe?
2. Do think this technology is beneficial to you?
3. Would you purchase a food item that you know has been genetically modified?
4. Presently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires special labeling of genetically modified food only when an allergen is introduced or if the nutritional content (fat, vitamins, or composition) has been significantly changed.  Do you agree with the FDA’s present labeling policy?
5. Do you feel that all genetically modified food products should be labeled, even if there has been no significant change in the food’s composition? 
6. Irradiation of food is a process that kills bacteria that can cause food poisoning.  It is estimated that food poisoning kills over 5,000 people each year in the United States. Do you think irradiation is a safe process? 
7. Do think this technology is beneficial to you?
8. Would you purchase a food item that you know has been irradiated?

9. Within the past few years, there have been more food items introduced in the market place that are aimed at maintaining health and general well-being.  These new products are sometimes called “nutraceuticals”.  They usually contain extra vitamins, minerals, or some other fortification (enhancement).  An example of one such nutraceutical is orange juice fortified with vitamin C and calcium.  Have you ever purchased a food product specifically because it may be more nutritionally beneficial?
 

Yes No Purchased it, but not intentionally for extra nutritional benefit

10. Herbal supplements have also become popular lately for maintaining health and general well-being.  Have you ever purchased/used an herbal supplement?

Yes No Purchased it, but not intentionally for extra nutritional benefit

11. Do you use an herbal supplement regularly?

Yes No When I remember

12. Do you take vitamin supplements fairly regularly?

Yes No When I remember

13. What are your sources of information relating to nutrition and food products? Click all that apply

Formal nutrition sources
Health food store courses
Lifestyle/health-related periodicals|
(Prevention, Redbook, Self, Cosmo, etc) 
Weekly news periodicals
(Time, US News & World Report, etc)
Newspapers
TV news reports, radio shows
Professional journals
medical, nutritional)
Internet 
Other

Section C
This next part of the survey helps the researcher learn something about your lifestyle.  Please answer the following

 14. How old are you?

15. Are you male or female?

16. Your current marital status:

17. How many people, including yourself, live in your household?

18. Your education is 

19. In what geographical area are you presently living?

20. How much money did you make from paid jobs in the last 12 months?
 

21. What area best describes your free time interests (check all that apply):
 

Health and Fitness
Home fix-up projects including decorating
Woodworking/crafts/sewing
Reading 
Computer/Net Surfing
Watching TV/media
Shopping
Socializing
Family commitments
School/education
Other
1=Yes 2=No 3=I Share this Responsibility
22.  Are you the primary person responsible for buying food for your household?
23.  Are you the primary person in your household responsible for food/meal preparation?
24. Do you have any household member(s) under the age of 18 years of age for whom you are responsible (at least part time)?
25.Have you ever purchased anything on the Internet?
26. Have you ever purchased food items on the Internet?
27. Do you use a computer at your job?

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.
Please click on the Submit Button to send your responses to the investigator of this project.