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Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Analysis of institutional authors

Ballco, PetjonAuthorGracia, AzucenaAuthorSanjuan, Ana IsabelAuthor

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March 6, 2026
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Which traits drive consumer preferences for gene-edited foods in Spain

Publicated to: Agricultural and Food Economics. 14 (1): - 2026-03-03 14(1), DOI: 10.1186/s40100-026-00466-x

Authors:

Ballco, P., Barreiro-Hurlé, J., Gracia, A., & Sanjuán, A. I.
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Zaragoza, España

Abstract

This study examines consumer preferences for the potential benefits of CRISPR technology using a best–worst scaling (BWS) approach within an online survey of a representative Spanish sample. The BWS discrete choice experiment focuses on seven key environmental and health-related benefits of CRISPR, using tomatoes as a case study. The selected benefits are derived from science-based information and align with the EU regulatory context, following the European Commission’s 2023 proposal on gene-editing technologies. Estimates from a random parameter logit (RPL) model indicate that pesticide reduction is the most highly valued benefit, followed by water saving and health improvement, thereby highlighting the combined influence of environmental and personal benefits on consumer acceptance of genetically engineered food. The significant standard deviations in the RPL estimates reveal substantial heterogeneity in preferences, which is further examined by identifying two distinct consumer segments. While both segments strongly prioritise pesticide reduction, one is primarily motivated by environmental sustainability outcomes, whereas the other places greater emphasis on health and sensory quality improvements. These findings underscore the need for targeted communication strategies to address distinct consumer concerns, rather than a uniform approach.
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Keywords

AlimentosBiotecnologíaConsumidoresEdición de genesPreferencias alimentariasResponsible consumption and production

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Agricultural and Food Economics due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2026, it was in position 4/43, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Agricultural Economics & Policy. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-03-12:

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 2.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 1 (Altmetric).
Continuing with the social impact of the work, it is important to emphasize that, due to its content, it can be assigned to the area of interest of ODS 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, with a probability of 45% according to the mBERT algorithm developed by Aurora University.
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Ballco, Petjon) and Last Author (Sanjuán López, Ana Isabel).

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Awards linked to the item

The research has been funded by the Government of Aragón through the Research Group ‘Economía Agroalimentaria y de los Recursos Naturales’ (S01_23R), which also supported the data analysis.
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