Genetically modified food may sound like something from the future, but it is real and consumers are even willing to pay extra for the added benefits.

Dr. Wallace Huffman, professor of economics, researched consumers’ willingness to pay more for an increase in vitamin C and antioxidants in certain foods.

“Genetically modified foods are made from plants that have a genetic composition that in part was determined by using gene-splicing technology to move genes from one species to another or from a long distance within a species, for example, from a primitive variety into a commercial variety,” Huffman said. “These are largely transfers that could not be attained by conventional plant breeding.”

In a news release, Huffman said, “What we found was when genes for enhancing the amount of antioxidants and vitamin C in fresh produce were transferred by intragenic methods, consumers are willing to pay 25 percent more than for the plain product (with no enhancements). That is a sizable increase.”

Natalie Williams, senior in kinesiology and health, said she would be willing to try genetically modified foods.

Huffman found that “the main reason [consumers choose modified foods over plain foods is] that the genetically modified foods may contain traits that consumers value and that cannot be obtained by using conventional plant breeding.”

“Our research shows that enhanced levels of antioxidants and vitamin C have positive value to consumers when the genes come from within the species, for example, from primitive potato and are used to enhance commercial potato varieties,” Huffman said. “Another reason would be that the genetically modified product is cheaper than the non-modified one.”

Students may have reservations about their food being changed by science.

“I’m not sure if I would totally switch over to all genetically modified foods unless I was really trying to improve my health” Williams said.

“Some consumers claim that they do not want genetically modified food because the technology used to create the plants is ‘un-natural,’ as in it does not use conventional plant breeding,” Huffman said.

“Some others claim that the extent of biodiversity will be changed by using modified plants. Still others claim that the contract between companies selling genetically modified seed and farmers limits the farmers’ ability to save and plant their own seed.”