Biotech Food Remains Fairly Obscure to Most Americans

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- With benefits like higher crop yields, lower costs, and better pesticide control, genetically modified varieties of corn, soy and other agricultural products that eventually wind up in the human food supply have reportedly been quickly adopted by U.S. farmers. While the potential health risks of so-called "biotech" foods are hotly debated in scientific and environmental circles, a recent Gallup poll finds that the issue has yet to ignite much interest or concern among the public at large.

Americans Marginally Support the Technology

According to Gallup's July 19-22 nationwide telephone survey, Americans' basic reaction to the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production is fairly positive. A bare majority, 52%, say they support this application of biotechnology and a similar number, 53%, are doubtful it poses a serious health hazard to consumers. Opposition to the technology hovers around one-third: 38% generally oppose the use of biotechnology in food production and 30% fear biotech foods pose a health risk. These attitudes are highly similar to those measured in 1999, when Gallup first asked Americans about the issue.

Attitude Toward Use of Biotechnology in Food Production

Do Biotech Foods Pose a Serious Health Hazard?

It should be noted that while the supporters of biotechnology outnumber its detractors, the greater intensity of feeling is on the opposing side: just 9% of all Americans strongly support the use of biotechnology in food production while 14% strongly oppose it.

Confidence in Food Supply Remains High

Despite the concerns expressed about biotech food when Americans are asked about it specifically, the fact remains that close to nine in 10, 89%, feel confident that the food available at most grocery stores is safe to eat, even higher than the 80% who felt this way two years ago. Similarly, most Americans -- 82% -- express confidence in the federal government to ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply, while just 17% express serious doubts about it. Both of these measures were asked in the July Gallup survey before the topic of biotechnology was presented in the course of the interview.

Awareness of Biotechnology Remains Low

Only 11% of Americans in the recent Gallup poll say they are following the news about the biotech food issue "very closely" and only 16% admit to having heard "a great deal" about the subject, overall. Slightly larger numbers of Americans now than in the past report having heard either a great deal or "some" about the issue (59% today compared to 50% in 1999), but 40% continue to say they have heard "not much" or "nothing at all" on the subject.

Amount Americans Have Heard About Genetic Modification of Food

Is a consumer backlash against biotechnology inevitable if and when the public becomes more familiar with it? As of today, familiarity does not seem to breed concern. Americans who report that they've heard a great deal or fair amount on the subject are no more critical of the technology than are others. For instance, 31% of this informed group believe that biotech foods pose a serious health risk while 58% disagree -- resulting in a 27% net positive rating for the technology. Among those who have heard little to nothing about biotech foods, 24% believe they pose a risk while 46% disagree -- resulting in a 22% net positive rating.

Consistent with Gallup's findings on this subject two years ago, the heaviest opposition and pockets of concern about biotechnology are found among lower-income and less-educated Americans, while those with college degrees and high incomes are the most likely to support the technology and to deny it has serious health hazards.

Attitude Toward Use of Biotechnology in Food Production by Level of Education

Jul. 19-22, 2001

Survey Methods

These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly selected national sample of 1,038 adults, 18 years and older, conducted July 19-22, 2001. For results based on this sample, one can say with 95 percent confidence that the maximum error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus 3 percentage points. In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

Do you feel confident or not confident that the food available at most grocery stores is safe to eat?

Do you feel confident or not confident that the food served at most restaurants is safe to eat?

How much confidence do you have in the federal government to ensure the safety of the food supply in the U.S., would you say you have -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much, or none at all?

Q.46/Q.47 SPLIT SAMPLED

As you may know, some food products and medicines are being developed using new scientific techniques. The general area is called "biotechnology" and includes tools such as genetic engineering and genetic modification of food. How much have you heard or read about this issue -- a great deal, some, not much or nothing at all?

BASED ON -- 534 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM A; ±5 PCT. PTS.

As you may know, some food products and medicines are being developed using new scientific techniques. The general area is called "biotechnology" and includes tools such as genetic engineering and genetic modification of food. How closely have you been following the news about this issue --very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely, or not at all?

BASED ON -- 504 -- NATIONAL ADULTS IN FORM B; ±5 PCT. PTS.

Overall would you say you strongly support, moderately support, moderately oppose, or strongly oppose the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production?

From what you know or have heard, do you believe that foods that have been produced using biotechnology pose a serious health hazard to consumers, or not?