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Public Opinion

Consumer Perceptions

The development of agricultural biotechnology has generated much discussion among consumers about the relative risks and benefits of this technology, and the measures necessary to ensure public safety.  The level of consumer acceptance of biotechnology varies between nations, with the United States, for instance, exhibiting much greater acceptance than the United Kingdom.  The difference may be attributable to a number of factors, such as public trust in government and confidence in regulatory bodies.  Much current research is tracking consumers' perception of biotechnology and exploring the factors that influence their attitudes. 

The following links provide further information on public attitudes towards biotechnology.

University of Florida Resources on Public Opinion

University of Florida/IFAS Biotechnology Education

Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology
http://pewagbiotech.org/newsroom/releases/032601.php3

International Food Information Council: Biotechnology
http://www.ific.org/food/biotechnology.vtml
Reports include:

·        Brighter Consumer Outlook on Food Biotechnology
 http://www.ific.org/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=19321

·        More US Consumers See Potential Benefits to Biotechnology
 http://www.ific.org/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=19241

·        US Consumer Attitudes Toward Food Biotechnology
http://www.ific.org/proactive/newsroom/release.vtml?id=18001

Summary of Consumer Surveys Related to Labeling of Foods Produced Using Biotechnology
http://www.consumersinternational.org/campaigns/biotech/surveys.html
Summarizes the findings of consumer opinion surveys in Australia, Canada, the EU, and the US regarding labeling of biotech foods.

AgBioForum
http://www.agbioforum.org/
On-line magazine devoted to the economics and management of agricultural biotechnology.
See especially Volume 1 Number 1 (1988) for an entire issue on public acceptance of agro-biotechnology.

The Politics of GM food: Risk, Science, and Public Trust
http://www.susx.ac.uk/Units/gec/gecko/gec-gm-f.pdf
"A research-based analysis that reveals why controversies such as BSE and genetically modified food seem to throw British Governments and business off balance, how to get out of the GM impasse and how to avoid these problems in future."

Public Perceptions and Understanding of Agricultural Biotechnology
http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/ites/1099/ijee/bio-hoban.htm
1999 report from North Carolina State University.

Consumer Choice, News Reports
http://www.biotech-info.net/consumer_choice.html
Current reports and news articles
http://www.biotech-info.net/consumer_choice.html#surveys
Has specific section on consumer surveys

Public Attitudes Toward Biotechnology
http://www.cid.harvard.edu/cidbiotech/projects/public_attitudes.htm
Ongoing project of the Center for International Development at Harvard University investigating public opinion on biotechnology in agriculture in the Philippines, Mexico, and South Africa.

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