Assessing the Level of Awareness of CITHM Students in

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Products and Technology

A Research Project
present to
The College of International Tourism Hospitality Management Department
Lyceum of the Philippines University
Intramuros, Manila

by

Avila, Fedel D.
Banaag, Chester
De Villa, Mary Joyce A.
Espinola, Andrea C.
Galleros, Ma. Ruth Angelica R.
Iglesia, Edj Daniella
Lacdo-o, Aliza Sirach A.
Legaspi, Rhona Mae S.
Oca, Cristher Anne Y.
Real, Kaith A.
Sentones, Euanne Joyce P.
Villamar, Geremy G.
Villanueva, Trisha Mae

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction ………………………..2
Rationale of the study…………………....3
Brief background about the subject……………...3
Study Objectives……………………………………....4
Review of the related………………………………….4
Methodology ………………………………………….5
Study design…………………………………………...5
Study Materials………………………………………..5
Result………………………………………………….7
Analysis……………………………………………….6-7
Discussion……………………………………………..13

LIST OF GRAPH:

Graph 1.1 survey question…………………………… 1

Graph 1.2 survey question…………………………….2

Graph 1.3 survey question……………………………..3

Graph 1.4 survey question……………………………..4

Graph 1.5 survey question……………………………..5

Graph 1.6 survey question……………………………..6

Graph 1.7 survey question……………………….……..7

Graph 1.8 survey question……………………………...8

Graph 1.9 survey question……………………………...9

Graph 1.10 survey question…………………………...10

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INTRODUCTION

Some genetic engineering uses the principle of recombination. These genetic engineering is

the modification of one’s phenotype to another organism where it will be manipulated by

genetic material. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that contain

artificially altered genetic material that would not otherwise occur in nature. It is used to

produced many medications and it is genetically modified foods and it is used in the

production of the other food. A more specifically defined type as GMO is a “transgenic

organism”. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants, animals or microorganisms

that have had their genes altered, using biotechnology, to express desired traits that don’t

otherwise occur naturally. Before creating GMO, it involves following steps. Isolating,

manipulating it outside the cell, inserting into the same organism. Any organism could be

genetically modified, but laws restrict the creation of genetically modified humans, and the

production and distribution of other GMOs is tightly regulated. Research studies present

conflicting arguments as to whether consuming GM crops is beneficial or harmful to human

health. With every alleged GMO health risk, there are counter arguments either opposing

health risk claims or suggesting GMOs provide more benefits than harm. However, studies

also show GMO’s have benefits including the increased nutritional value in foods.

In 1971, the first debate over the risks to humans of exposure to GMOs began when a

common intestinal microorganism was infected with DBA from a tumor-inducing virus

(Devos et al., 2007). Initially, safety issues were a concern to individuals working in

laboratories with GMOs, as well as nearby residents. However, it concerns a debate which

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arise over concerns that recombinant organisms might be used as weapons. The growing

debate, initially restricted to scientists, eventually spread to the public, and in 1974, the

National Institutes of Health (NIH) established the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee

to begin to address some of these issues.

In modern culture, the term “GMO” has reached almost a trendy status both among

health-conscious circles and the general public alike. As health and fitness have become

more mainstream, people are beginning to take more of an aggressive approach to their

health and pay more attention into what they put into their body. Coinciding with this, there

has been a recent influx in the number of grassroots movements (i.e. Non-GMO Project,

Buy Local) and social media advocacy campaigns to fight GMO in our food supply, which

has contributed to an increased awareness. In fact, according to a report from the Natural

Marketing Institute (2014), consumer awareness of the term “genetically modified

organisms” has increased from 42% in 2012 to 54% in 2013, while awareness of the term

“genetically modified food” increased from 61% in 2012 to 69% in 2013. Consequently, in

response to this wave of awareness, we are seeing an increase in the number of GMO-free

and non-GMO products being introduced in the marketplace. According to the same NMI

(2014) report, the number of new GMO-free products in the market grew 145%, from 551 in

2012 to 1350 in 2013.

The reality of technological revolution shows that technology creates the optimistic

economic impacts in the society whereas new technology can push the socioeconomic

development with a rising rate. If we analyze the different technological age, for instances,

7000 years of agrarian age while demonstration is seen as the key element; 350 years of

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industrial age when steam engine is considered as the core component; 50 years of

information age where electricity and micro-processor is the most important instrument; and

25 years of biotech age while genetics may be the key governing matter of socioeconomic

development of farmers. This is because new technology is related to scientific knowledge

and that knowledge can be converted into products and processes for adjusting them to

response in socioeconomic conditions (Juma, 2005).

New technology can act as the driver of increasing resources and that can improve the

human living conditions endlessly (Nyangel et al., 2011). GMOs benefit mankind when

used for purposes such as increasing the availability and quality of food and medical care,

and contributing to a cleaner environment. If used wisely, they could result in an improved

economy without doing more harm than good, and they could also make the most of their

potential to alleviate hunger and disease worldwide. The full scale of this study is to let

people know what GMO is and what are its contents. It also aims to assess how CITHM

Students are about to GMOs.

Research Methodology

This chapter shows how the study was conducted. This presents the research design, locale,

population and sample, research ethics, research instruments, data gathering procedures, and

the data analysis.

Research Design

The researchers used of the quantitative approach to study and investigate if people will still

use products which is a result of engineering technology, such as Genetically Modified

Organism.

For this study, descriptive method was used in gathering information on the present and

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existing conditions. It also involved data collection in order to answer questions concerning

the current behaviour of the people. The study was intended and conducted to state the facts

if people will change their behaviour of good consumption, should they know that they are

eating GMO products.

Research Locale

The researchers focused their study in CITHM College - Lyceum of the Philippines

University in Intramuros , Manila. The chosen respondents are students of the university,

this place was selected to maintain efficiency and timely result of the study.

​Population and Sampling

The subject for this research is focused on 90 students from the CITHM department of

Lyceum of the Philippines University. Students. The population for the respondents came

from first year to fourth year college students, aging from 19 to 23 years old. These college

students were selected from different sections and year levels. They were briefed on what

the research is all about. This study was based on how college students reacts when they

know the food they are consuming is produced through GMO and should they continue to

use it.

The researchers used purposive sampling in which researchers relied in their own judgement

when choosing respondents to participate in the study.

Research Ethics

In this study, the researchers followed the ethical way of conducting a research and created

constructive way of a research study. The co-researchers were given consent, in which

shows the agreement amongst them to solidify their commitment all throughout the process.

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This contains the purpose of the study, procedure and the nature of research. The researchers

also assured that all the information given and shared during the process is strictly

confidential and is not for sharing to the public, and can only be used for educational

purposes.

​Research Instruments

The researchers effectuated an instrument to accumulate the data that the researchers can

use. Data must be collected with the use of online survey tack which is constructed where

the researchers must prepare questions. The researchers have garnered a total of 90 CITHM

Students from Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila. The researcher used

quantitative method to allow the respondents share their knowledge with a particular

question.

Data analysis

The researchers wanted to know the risk of eating GMO foods, the side effects of it and the

health benefits of GMO. This includes they type of foods that is genetically produced and

the percentage of GMO foods. The type of analysis that the researchers will use Percentage

analysis of the students eating GMO foods to create an outcome from the collected data for

accurate results.

​Data Collection

First, The researchers created an online survey to ask the students of CITHM department

specifically Tourism students. The survey contained the question about the topic which is

GMO.

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The Respondents were given enough time to finish the questionnaires then the researches

wait for the survey to be completed.

After data gathering have been accomplished, the results were calculated, analyzed and

interpreted by the researchers.

Results

The survey questionnaire, after then the data gathered, we computed and tailed the results.

Survey question has 10 item and the result is follows:

Graph 1.1 survey question 1

This statistical analysis show results of 90 respondents, 56.2% of our respondents says yes

and 43.8% says no. It means that most of our respondents heard GMO or genetically

modified organism before.

Graph 1.2 Survey question number 2

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This graph shows the results of question number 2. This shows that 51.7% of the

respondents knows about the GMO and 48.3% are didn't know about gmo.Close to half of

our respondents are not aware of GMO.

Graph 1.3 Survey question number 3

This graph shows the result of question number 3: Do you thinks GMO are harmful?, the

result shows that 50% says YES and 50% says NO. Half of our respondents consider GMO

harmful and half don’t.

​Graph 1.4: Survey question number 4

This graph shows the result of graph number 4: Do you know the dangers of GMO? ,

This shows that 37.1 % says YES and 62.9% said NO. This means that most of our

respondents didn’t know the harmful effects of GMO or Genetically modified organism.

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​ Graph 1.5 Survey question number 5

This graph show results of 90 respondents in the question number 5: Do you drink lemon

juice?, 10.1% said NO and 89.9% said YES. Most of our respondents drink lemon juice

according to the survey.

​ Graph 1.6 Survey question number 6

This graph shows the result of survey question number 6: Do you that lemons are gmo

product?,

This graph shows that 73% said NO and 27% said YES. It means that most of our 90

respondents didn’t know that lemons is a product of GMO technology.

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​ Graph 1.7 : Survey question number 7

This graph shows the result of survey question number 7: Is it still okay for you to eat or use

knowing that it is invented by engineering technology?

This graph shows that 50.6% said NO and 49.4% said YES. It means that most of our 90

respondents says that it is not okay to eat GMO produce products.

​ Graph 1.8 Survey question number 8

This graph shows the result of survey question number 8: Are willing to pay more money to

buy NON- GMO products?

This graph shows that 40.4% said NO and 59.6% said YES. It means that most of our 90

respondents are willing to pay more money to buy NON- GMO products.

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​Graph 1.9: Survey question number 9

This graph shows the result of survey question number 9: Do you think GMO products

should be labeled?

This graph shows that 14.6% said NO and 85.4% said YES. It means that most of our 90

respondents agreed that GMO products should be labeled.

​Graph 1.10 Survey question number 10

This graph shows the result of survey question number 6: Are you favor in GMO

technology?

This graph shows that 24.7% said NO and 21.3% said YES and 53.9 said maybe. It means

that most of our 90 respondents are not sure if they are in favor of GMO products and

technology.

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Discussion

This chapter presents the discussion of the study. It also includes the conclusions that were

formulated based on the findings of the study. Moreover, this chapter also includes the

recommendation of the researchers based on the findings and conclusions of the study for

consideration of the target reader and individuals.

Summary of findings

The researchers conducted a survey using Google Survey to analyze how much CITHM

students know about GMOs and the foods that they eat. 89 students were surveyed and the

findings show that 56.2% of them have heard GMO before and 43.8% haven't. Only 51.7%

of the participants knows what GMO is. 50% thinks that GMOs are harmful and the other

50% thinks they're not. The majority of the respondents doesn't know about the dangers of

GMO products and drinks lemon juice. 73% of the respondents doesn’t know that lemon

products are GMO products and 27% knows that it is a product of GMO. Only 50.6 % of the

respondents doesn’t agreed that it is still okay to eat/use GMO products knowing that it is

invented through the engineering technology and 49.4% agreed. Majority of the respondent

are willing to pay more money just to buy Non- GMO products. 85.4% of the respondents of

the study thinks that GMO products should be labeled, while 14.6% doesn’t agreed. And

majority of answers of the respondents aren’t sure in favoring the GMO technology.

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Conclusion

In the light of the summary of findings of the study, the following conclusions are drawn:

Based on the results, most of the respondents are not aware to the danger of GMO products.

Most of the respondents are not agree to eat and used GMO products and it should be

labeled to give awareness to consumers. The result highlighted the importance of knowing

what is GMOs. It would be interesting to note the impact of formal education to CITHM

freshmen students. Very minimal research has been conducted in this particular topic, and

doing so could shed light on methods that allow students to gain awareness on GMO

products.

Recommendations

For the future researchers who are interested in the GMO’s same topic, the researchers

recommend them to be more specific as this particular topic is more on scientific approach.

The researchers would also like to suggest using a different theoretical approach to

cross-reference new gathered data with the ones stated here, it paves for an intellectual

discourse about possible new proposals. The researchers recommend to the buyers checked

any processed, packaged foods aside from any organic options, choose one's with the 'non-

gmo project' verification label. Checked the food with this label are not automatically

healthy.

The researchers should focus on the effects of the gmo if it has a good or bad effects on our

health. The researchers recommend to focus on the whole, real and unrefined foods as much

as possible and minimize/ avoid processed foods. We recommend everyone to buy certified

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organic foods, which cannot intentionally includes any gmo or has a label if they are a fresh

fruit or vegetables. They can also use survey to see what others opinion about cause and

effects of the GMO to the one’s body. If this has impact to the people who are eating with a

GMO product. So to the future researchers they need more references.

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