Loss of Agro‐Biodiversity, Uncertainty, and Perceived Control: A Comparative Risk Perception Study in Austria and China

Abstract

The biogeographical centers of origin of important food crops-called Vavilov centers-are considered to be crucial sources of genetic diversity for present and future crop-breeding programs and thus for human food safety worldwide. Global environmental change and more intensified modes of crop production may cause genetic erosion (loss of traditional crop varieties and loss of crop wild relatives), especially in Vavilov centers. The present study focused on how the risk of genetic erosion (or loss of agro-biodiversity) is perceived in comparison to 16 other risk topics by experts and lay people in Austria and China. The most striking result was that genetic erosion was perceived to be an exceptionally unknown and uncertain risk topic, given that only genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were perceived as being even more uncertain. As a consequence of the high uncertainty, the idea of applying the precautionary principle to further prevent genetic erosion is discussed. An unprecedented finding-one that differs from Austrian participants-is that the Chinese have a higher perceived control over all risk topics. The increased perception of controllability in China is discussed in light of the theory of reflexive modernization. This theory strives to explain the increased critical attitude in Western countries such as Austria toward scientific innovations and toward the idea that everything can be calculated and mastered at will. By revealing different notions of risk perception, this research also provides additional scientific input to risk communication efforts for public education.

Effects of culture (China vs. US) and task on perceived hazard: Evidence from product ratings, label ratings, and product to label matching

“…Earlier research, with Western populations, indicates that perceptions of hazard tend to decrease with increased perceived control and familiarity and increase with increased likelihood of injury and severity of injury (e.g., Wogalter et al, 1999). However, other research suggests that Chinese perceptions of control may differ from those of more western populations (e.g., Schmidt and Wei, 2006).…”

“…For example, Slovic et al (1979) found that, for technologies (i.e., nuclear power) and activities (i.e., recreational activities), likelihood of injury is the strongest predictor. Schmidt and Wei (2006) used a psychometric approach in their study of risk perceptions in Austria and China. They obtained evidence for three main risk factors (catastrophic risk, uncertainty, and relevance) that were broadly consistent with those identified in earlier risk perception studies.…”

Ambiguity in a trans-disciplinary stakeholder assessment of neglected and underutilized species in China, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam

“…China, however, maintains also a high diversity in traditional crops and crop wild relatives and is confronted with the risk of genetic erosion (Gao 2003;Schmidt and Wei 2006). Given that China is aVected by ongoing socioeconomic and environmental changes (e.g.…”

L’éthique et l’acceptation sociale des innovations technologiques

“…Une des explications proposées pour expliquer la perte de confiance des sociétés occidentales envers les gouvernements et les scientifiques qui les représentent est celle de la théorie de la modernité réfléchie (reflexive modernization) [20]. Les populations orientales tendraient à croire que l'être humain contrôle la nature, la société et la technologie et préfèreraient laisser l'analyse des risques potentiels aux experts.…”