Public perceptions, understanding and acceptance of modern biotechnology can both promote and hamper their commercial introduction and adoption. Various studies have shown that consumer acceptance of modern biotechnology tend to be conditional and dependent on several factors. Public perceptions of biotechnology have received extensive attention in recent years in most Western countries such as Europe, USA and Canada but there have been limited similar surveys in developing countries. Most of the earlier studies used uni-dimensional or bi-dimensional instrument with multi-items or the most is four dimensions with single item. In this study, public attitude towards genetically modified (GM) soybean that is already available in the Malaysian market. A survey was carried out on 577 general public respondents in the Klang Valley region. In order to detect the structure of attitude amongst the expert group in the Klang Valley region, structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS version 5.1 was carried out. Result of the survey has confirmed that attitude towards complex issues such as biotechnology should be seen as multi-faceted/ multidimensional process. The most important factors predicting encouragement of GM soybean are the specific application-linked perceptions about the benefits and acceptance of risk while moral concern, risk and familiarity are significant predictors of intermediate factors. Researchers, policy makers and industries interested in developing and marketing GM products in Malaysia should consider the various factors mentioned in this in order to gain public approval.
Six parents (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6) half diallel population of Jatropha curcas were evaluated to determine the combining ability, genetic components of variance and heterosis for yield contributing traits. Diallel analysis showed that both additive and dominance gene action was responsible for the genetic regulation of all the traits under study. The cross combination P1 × P3 showed the highest positive specific combining ability for seed yield per plant. Combining ability results were also in close agreement with the findings of estimate of genetic components of variance. The seeds per fruit (89%) and 100-seed weight (93%) showed maximum narrow sense heritability. Seed yield per plant showed high mid parent (254.13%) and better parent (202.36%) heterosis in the cross combinations of P2 × P5 and P1 × P3, respectively.The parents of P1, P2, P3 and P5 were found to be superior for seed yield components when used in cross. Considering seed production for each plant, the hybrids P1 × P2, P1 × P3, P2 × P5 and P4 × P6 could be selected for the development of hybrid varieties.
In recent time climate change and its impact on human health and awareness constitute a set of complex and serious consequences to be tackled by an individual country. Climate change is not merely an environmental issue, but also it is a threat that goes beyond national borders. The purpose of this study is to identify the awareness and the impact of climate change, perceived by the young citizens in Malaysia by focusing on gender differences. Based on a survey of 200 respondents from different public and private University's students in Malaysia, this research used descriptive statistics and T-test to look into the research objective. The results revealed media can play an important role in the awareness of climate change. Meanwhile the male respondents have shown considerable attention on the physical impact of climate change like heat related stress. On the other hand female respondents have shown considerable attention to the psychological impact by the climate change. From a pragmatic perspective, the findings from this research will assists the policy makers to understand more about the perceived awareness on the climate change issues of the young citizens which ultimately assist them to inaugurate new initiatives to confront the challenges of climate changes. This research is among the pioneer study on the issue of the perceived awareness in regards to climate change in Malaysia by focusing on gender differences.