PUBLIC PERCEPTION ISSUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

TWENTY-FIVE PUBLIC PERCEPTION QUESTIONS (ISSUES) AND RELATIVE LEVEL OF CONCERN ON AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY TOPICS

Topic/Question (Issue) Followed by a Numerical Ranking Based on a Relative Frequency Index*

Genetically Engineered Foods

1.   Should genetically engineered foods be labeled?                 9.0



2.   Will engineered foods be less expensive and/or more nutritious? 7.0



3.   Are genetically engineered foods safe to eat?                   6.5



4.   Will certain genetically engineered foods be considered 

     ethically unacceptable?                                         3.5



Genetically Engineered Plants

5.   Can genetically engineered crops become weeds?                  4.0



6.   Could genetically engineered crops invade sensitive 

     habitats and become a threat to native plants?                  3.0



7.   Could genetically engineered crops transfer new 

     genes and properties to wild relatives?                         2.5



Genetically Engineered Animals

8.   Will genetically engineered animals present a health 

     hazard to humans?                                               8.0



9.   Is development of genetically engineering animals

     ethically acceptable?                                           6.5



10.  Are animal welfare issues being considered in the 

     development of genetically engineered food animals?             6.0



Genetically Engineered Microorganisms

11.  What are the risks to people from large-scale releases 

     of genetically engineered microorganisms?                       5.5



12.  Will engineered microbes have any long-term effects 

     on the environment?                                             4.0



13.  How can an engineered microbe be controlled after 

     release in the environment?                                     3.5



Social/Legal Issues

14.  Will decisions about the use of biotechnology products be 

     made with input from those who will be most directly affected?  8.5



15.  What are the ethical and moral concerns with creating 

     engineered organisms?                                           7.5



16.  Why can engineered organisms be patented, and how 

     does patenting impact availability of scientific information?   6.0



17.  Will biotechnology contribute to the disappearance of 

     small farms and erosion of rural values?                        4.5



Risk Assessment/Regulations

18.  How adequate are current regulations for assuring 

     public safety?                                                  8.5



19.  How can the public have a direct voice in the risk 

     assessment process?                                             7.5



20.  What risks are acceptable for biotechnology, and who can 

     be trusted to explain the risks?                                7.0



Educational Issues

21.  Will increased knowledge about biotechnology be sufficient 

     to allay fears?                                                 8.0



22.  Do television and the popular press accurately depict 

     biotechnology issues?                                           7.5



23.  How can academic responsibility to the public be maintained 

     with increasing commercial support for biotechnology research?  4.5



International Issues

24.  How will public safety be maintained as a result of testing 

     biotechnology products in developing countries with little or 

     no regulatory systems?                                          6.5



25.  How will biotechnology products commercialized in industrialized

     nations be made available to developing countries?              4.0 

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