Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sunny Ahmar, Goetz Hensel, Damian Gruszka
Summary: Cereal crops play a significant role in human consumption and animal feed, but face challenges from climate change and population expansion. Gene-editing technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, offer a potential solution to develop stress-tolerant and high-yielding cereal varieties. However, there are challenges to overcome, including time-consuming processes, limited genotypes for transformation, and restrictive regulations on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Satoru Sukegawa, Seiichi Toki, Hiroaki Saika
Summary: Genome editing technology is widely used in plant gene engineering and metabolic engineering, allowing for targeted gene knockout, modification, creation of new genetic alleles, and regulation of target gene expression level.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hao Hu, Fengqun Yu
Summary: Transgenic or genetically modified crops are heavily regulated worldwide due to biosafety concerns, but cisgenic crops have higher public acceptance. A CRISPR/Cas9-based vector system has been developed for cisgenic plant breeding, allowing the delivery of target gene-of-interest (GOI) while removing undesired genetic traces. In a proof-of-concept study in Arabidopsis thaliana, the GOI was successfully incorporated and the selection marker and CRISPR/Cas9 components were removed. The vector system demonstrated high editing efficiency and no off-target mutations were identified.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Nadia Palmieri, Walter Stefanoni, Francesco Latterini, Luigi Pari
Summary: Opuntia ficus indica is a source of vitamins and minerals, and has recently been used in a new functional pasta. This study aimed to identify consumer willingness to pay for this pasta and understand the influencing factors. Higher education and income levels played significant roles in willingness to pay for the functional pasta, while the health and nutritional benefits, along with consumer curiosity and desire for information, also impacted willingness to pay.
Article
Environmental Studies
Fan Jiang, Sisi Meng, Mohammad Khan, Nafisa Halim, Pallab Mozumder
Summary: This study presents an empirical analysis of hurricane evacuation decisions using data from Texas residents affected by Hurricane Ike. It proposes a methodology framework to estimate the cost of evacuation and provides policy implications for emergency management agencies in coastal communities.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Daniel A. Bass, Brandon R. McFadden, Kent D. Messer
Summary: Ignoring negative values of WTP leads to an upward bias in the premium consumers are willing to pay for bottled water. Allowing negative values of WTP provides more accurate valuations and measures of differences in valuations for two goods, which is crucial for policymaking.
Article
Economics
Chelsea Hotaling, Stephen Bird, Martin D. Heintzelman
Summary: This study conducted a discrete choice experiment to investigate the willingness to pay for community microgrid services during extended power outages among 939 respondents from New York State. The results suggest a positive willingness to pay for microgrid services, particularly for hospital and emergency services, potable water, shelters, and retail outlets.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Bindu Paudel, Deepthi Kolady, David Just, Mariam Ishaq
Summary: This study used discrete choice experiment data to explore the impact of information and innovation reputation on consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for genome-edited soybean oil and apples. The study found that consumers have higher WTP for genome-edited soybean oil with information on technology and health and environmental benefits, while the information did not affect consumers' WTP for genetically modified soybean oil. The information treatments did not affect WTP for genome-edited apples. The study also revealed that consumers prefer domestic startup firms and universities as developers of genetically modified and genome-editing technologies.
FOOD QUALITY AND PREFERENCE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dimitrios Kalfas, Fotios Chatzitheodoridis, Efstratios Loizou, Katerina Melfou
Summary: Peri-urban and urban green spaces are important priorities in the regional policy agenda of local governments, and their value to residents is influenced by factors such as income, knowledge of environmental issues, and perceived benefits. This study explores these factors using the contingent valuation method and highlights the role of environmental economic methods in natural heritage management.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Sawssan Boufous, Darren Hudson, Carlos Carpio
Summary: We examined US consumers' preferences and willingness to pay for cotton apparel production and country of origin attributes. Through a choice-based conjoint experiment and information treatments, we found that consumers are willing to pay more for cotton apparel from the United States and for apparel made from fiber produced in organic systems. Only certain consumer subgroups were affected by information regarding potential labor exploitation.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sajid Fiaz, Sunny Ahmar, Sajjad Saeed, Aamir Riaz, Freddy Mora-Poblete, Ki-Hung Jung
Summary: Achieving a world with zero hunger requires sustainable increase in food production and distribution, as well as the elimination of poverty. Innovation in plant breeding is crucial in addressing agricultural challenges and achieving sustainable crop production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Chin-Yi Fang, Po-Yu Chen, Yung Liao
Summary: The increasing trend of an older population participating in sports and leisure activities is recognized worldwide. This study aims to explore the factors influencing seniors' willingness to pay more for exercise in civil sports and recreation centers (CSRCs) outside of free hours.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Ya You, Yi He, Qimei Chen, Miao Hu
Summary: In this research, it was found that consumers in an exchange relationship are more likely to generate eWOM and pay a higher price premium when sharing is difficult. Conversely, consumers in a communal relationship are more likely to contribute eWOM and have a higher WTP when sharing is easy and self-brand connection is deep.
INFORMATION & MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kh Zulfikar Hossain, Jianhong Xue, Md Ghulam Rabbany
Summary: The study found that in Bangladesh, consumers are willing to pay a higher price premium for GLOBALG.A.P. certified broiler and Sonali chicken, with their willingness to pay influenced significantly by age, education, monthly family income, monthly chicken consumption, and meat safety risk perception, while taste only had a significant impact on broiler chicken.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Shanshan Li, Zein Kallas
Summary: The research found that consumers are willing to pay an average premium of 29.5% for sustainable food products, with factors such as gender, region, sustainable attributes, and food categories influencing the estimates. Results also showed that WTP estimates from hypothetical approaches were higher and organic attribute had the highest WTP value. Asian region had higher WTP estimates compared to North America, with fruit & vegetable category having the highest estimates and seafood category having the lowest.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kristina Arslain, Christopher R. Gustafson, Pratiksha Baishya, Devin J. Rose
Summary: The study found that many US residents without a diagnosed gluten sensitivity have tried a gluten-free diet due to beliefs that it is healthier, gluten-free products are more nutritious, and can help clear acne. Personal research was identified as the most influential source of information that led individuals to try a gluten-free diet.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Stephan Marette, Anne-Celia Disdier, John C. Beghin
Summary: The study found that French consumers do not value gene-edited apples generated by biotechnology, while American consumers value them as long as they are not generated by biotechnology. American consumers have positive attitudes towards science and new technology, which can offset the discounting of gene-edited apples.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
A. Malek Hammami, John C. Beghin
Summary: The study explores the welfare and trade impacts of U.S. retaliatory tariffs on EU olive oil, finding that the actual tariffs have smaller effects compared to the initially announced tariffs, leading to a decrease in exports of non-bulk Spanish olive oil and an increase in exports of bulk Spanish olive oil and other types of olive oil.
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Business, Finance
John Beghin, Byungyul Park
Summary: Asian students choosing to study in OECD countries are influenced by wage levels, bilateral distance, importers' income, demographics, common language, visa regime, and migrant networks. The capacity of tertiary education in OECD countries does not significantly impact student flows, nor does university reputation.
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Mustapha Alhassan, Christopher R. Gustafson, Karina Schoengold
Summary: Groundwater in Ghana may be contaminated and little is known about its value. This paper estimates smallholders' preferences for groundwater protection using different types of information. The findings highlight the importance of using precise information in a developing country setting.
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Stephan Marette, John Beghin, Anne-Celia Disdier, Eliza Mojduszka
Summary: This article presents a model for R&D investment in food innovations using new plant engineering techniques and traditional hybridization methods. The model considers the uncertainty and cost of food innovation as well as consumers' willingness to pay. The study applied the model to assess French and US consumers' willingness to pay for improved apples. The results show that NPETs may be socially beneficial when the success probability is high, otherwise traditional hybridization is preferred. The potential collapse of conventional apples enhances the social desirability of new apples generated by NPETs and traditional hybridization.
APPLIED ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVES AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Christopher R. Gustafson, Devin J. Rose
Summary: This study aimed to investigate consumers' beliefs in the health benefits of dietary fiber and whether they consider fiber when making food choices. The findings revealed that consumers are largely unaware of the numerous health benefits of dietary fiber, which significantly decreases their likelihood of considering this important nutrient during food choice.
Article
Economics
Byungyul Park, John Beghin
Summary: This article presents an empirical strategy using Extreme Bounds Analysis to estimate the effects of Economic Integration Agreements on trade flows. The study found that the choice of lags and leads can affect the robustness of the results, and different levels of integration have varying impacts on trade flows.
REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Syed Imran Ali Meerza, Sabrina Gulab, Kathleen R. Brooks, Christopher R. Gustafson, Amalia Yiannaka
Summary: Consumers' attitudes and concerns about the use of antibiotics in livestock production have an influence on producers' decisions. This study found that the majority of respondents were highly concerned about the use of antibiotics to promote growth, but more accepting of their use for treatment and disease control. Participants with higher objective knowledge of antibiotic resistance and use were more likely to accept antibiotic use for treatment and control, but less likely to accept use for disease prevention or growth promotion.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Christopher R. Gustafson
Summary: Many choices people make daily have significant implications for future health and well-being. Research shows that actively considering future health impacts can improve the nutritional quality of food choices, particularly for processed food products. Additionally, exposure to short health messages increases individuals' likelihood of considering future health impacts and making healthier choices overall.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Economics & Policy
Stephan Marette, Anne-Celia Disdier, Anastasia Bodnar, John Beghin
Summary: New plant engineering techniques (NPETs) have the potential to enhance food production and quality. However, global market penetration of these products remains low due to consumer and regulatory resistance. This study develops an economic model that integrates consumers' willingness to pay, R&D uncertainty, regulatory costs, and competition between domestic and foreign products to analyze the conditions under which NPET technology emerges in international trade.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Christopher R. Gustafson, Devin J. Rose
Summary: The aim of this study is to determine the proportion of consumers in the US who consider the nutrients identified in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) as important during food choices. The researchers conducted a survey among 42,018 US consumers in May-June 2021, asking about their consideration of eight nutrients, including under-consumed nutrients and nutrients to avoid. The results showed that less than 30% of respondents considered each under-consumed nutrient, while a higher percentage considered nutrients to avoid. The findings highlight the need to promote awareness of under-consumed nutrients for improved public health.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anne G. Timu, Christopher R. Gustafson, Taro Mieno
Summary: This paper evaluates the gendered impact of index-based livestock insurance on food consumption in pastoral households in southern Ethiopia. The study finds that the purchase of insurance significantly reduces food expenditure in both male- and female-headed households before drought, while insurance payouts significantly increase food expenditure among female-headed households after drought.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Christopher R. Gustafson
Summary: Fiscal tools such as taxes and subsidies are used to address diet-related health problems, but their effectiveness can be enhanced by drawing attention to the tax or subsidy. Interventions that promote health considerations during food choice show promise in both laboratory and real-world settings.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher R. Gustafson, Kathleen R. Brooks, Syed Imran Ali Meerza, Amalia Yiannaka
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had negative impacts on decision-making, with emotional responses to stressors playing a significant role. This study shows that exposure to COVID-19-related stressors increases information avoidance about unrelated health issues.