Are Chinese scientists willing to engage with the public on genetically modified foods?

Drawing on survey data from 321 Chinese scientists, this study investigates their willingness to engage on a controversial topic, namely, genetically modified foods. Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior with topic-specific beliefs, we analyze how six key factors shape engagement intentions: attitudes toward public engagement, perceived institutional and peer climates, perceived self-efficacy, scientists’ own attitude toward genetically modified foods, and their perception of public attitudes toward genetically modified foods. Results of partial least squares structural equation modeling reveal that attitude toward public engagement and perceived self-efficacy are the strongest predictors, while subjective norms play a limited role. Crucially, scientists’ own favorable attitudes toward genetically modified foods exert an indirect, positive effect on their engagement intentions. We further examine disciplinary differences in public engagement beliefs and find that agricultural and biological scientists hold significantly more positive attitudes toward engaging the public on genetically modified foods than scientists in other disciplines.