ESA Working Paper No. 04-09

Public Attitudes towards
Agricultural Biotechnology

Thomas J. Hoban

ABSTRACT
PDF (303 KB)

Agricultural and Development Economics Division
The Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations

ABSTRACT

The full benefits of agricultural biotechnology will only be realized if consumers and food manufacturers consider it safe and beneficial. Although few internationally comparable public opinion surveys have been conducted on this issue, the available evidence suggests that public attitudes differ sharply both between and within countries and are evolving over time. Consumer attitudes have been studied in the United States and Europe for more than a decade. This research is reviewed along with the available data from Latin America, Asia and Africa. Results from the largest internationally comparable public opinion survey on agricultural biotechnology to date are highlighted.

© FAO 2004