Is dread of Genetically Modified food associated with the consumers’ demand for information?

We argue that the dread of Genetically Modified (GM) food is an expression of the individual's demand for information as a self-protective action. This study empirically examines the determinants of the demand for information on Genetically Modified Food and tests whether this demand is jointly determined with the individual's dread of GM food. A UK representative sample of the 1999 Eurobarometer Survey is employed and the study undertakes multivariate analysis of information-related survey responses. The results provide some evidence for the hypothesis that demand for information stands as a self-protective attitude that occurs in the absence of information. Furthermore, knowledge of science and information channels are both associated with a larger demand for information and lower dread of GM food.