ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF GM-FOODS CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF WELFARE

Consumer choice of food products significantly determines the perception of welfare. Biotechnological development of agriculture and food industry associate with widespread application of GM foods. In the focus of their consumer perception are the negative economic aspects related to unfair distribution of benefits and risks. Social and environmental imbalances of GMOs aggravate the negative consumer attitude. Public-private partnership in the field of technology transfer, awareness raising, quality and security of GM foods may be treated as a path towards welfare and sustainable rural development.