The impact of consumer food biotechnology training on knowledge and attitude

Consumer education is an important aspect in the adoption of any new technology. The objective of this work was to determine whether consumer's knowledge and attitudes would be influenced by a face-to-face presentation involving food biotechnology.

Participants (576) were requested to complete a pre-test prior to receiving a 45-80 minute presentation, which was then followed by a post-test. Participants included members from a community organization, undergraduate and graduate college students and cooperative extension educators (county agents).

Following training, 98% to 99% correctly indicated that fruits and vegetables contain chromosomes and that foods from biotech crops were currently sold in grocery stores. Prior to training, only 31% felt that these crops were properly regulated by federal agencies, and only 25% were confident that bioengineering was unlikely to make an existing food allergenic. Following training, 83% felt that these crops were properly regulated, and 63% believed that biotechnology was unlikely to add new allergens to our food supply. In addition, 90% of those trained would eat or serve genetically-modified foods to their family, and 90% believed that they or their family would benefit from genetically-modified foods within the next five years.

It is apparent from these results that when provided sound, science-based information, participants are more accepting of this technology and the regulatory process.