In 2004, the peer-reviewed

British Food Journal published a
study claiming that when shoppers in a Canadian farm store were given
an informed, unbiased choice between genetically modified (GM) corn and
non-GM corn, most purchased the GM variety.

The research, which was funded by the biotech industry and conducted
by four staunch proponents of GM foods, other findings around the world
that show how people avoid genetically modified organisms (GMOs) when
given a choice.

The controversial article was nonetheless given the Journal’s
prestigious Award for Excellence for the Most Outstanding Paper of
2004. It is often cited by biotech advocates as proof that people are
embracing GM foods.

Fortunately Stuart Laidlaw, a reporter from Canada’s

Toronto Star, had visited the farm store several times during the study and described the scenario in his book

Secret Ingredients.
Far from offering unbiased choices, huge signs placed over the non-GM
corn bin read, “Would you eat wormy sweet corn?” It further listed the
chemicals that were sprayed during the season.

By contrast, the sign above the GM corn stated, “Here’s What Went
into Producing Quality Sweet Corn.” No wonder 60 percent of shoppers
avoided the “wormy corn.” In fact, it’s a testament to people’s
distrust of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that 40 percent still
went for the “wormy” option.

In addition to the signs, the “consumer education fact sheets” in
the store were nothing more than pro-GM propaganda. And the lead
researcher, Doug Powell, was even seen trying to convince a customer
who purchased non-GM corn to switch to the GM variety.