Introduction
Modern biotechnology can be applied in a broad range of areas, offering advantages to producers, the environment, and human health (Institute of Food Technologists, 2000
). Farmers can benefit from increased yields on the same acreage, decreased production costs, less exposure to pesticides and herbicides, and the potential to practice reduced till production (Phipps and Park, 2002; Fawcett and Towry, 2002). Plant breeders have used rDNA technology to develop corn that is nutritionally more dense and easier for animals to digest (Mazur et al., 1999). Consumers could benefit from foods with improved nutritional characteristics, lower levels of natural toxins and increased quality (Gura, 1999; Dowd et al., 1999). In the future, people with allergies may find the proteins that trigger allergic reactions have been removed, allowing consumption of previously prohibited foods (Institute of Food Technologists, 2000). Scientists are also developing feed with lower levels of phytate: this has environmental ramifications because it will reduce phosphorus, nitrogen, and odor from animal waste (Mazur et al., 1999). Additionally, scientists have been able to modify pig saliva to more thoroughly digest nutrients (Golovan et al., 2001). Plants have been developed that remove high levels of salt from the land, thus opening the potential for bioremediation (Zhang and Blumwald, 2001). Because of these potential benefits, producers are planting crops modified by biotechnology and researchers in the corporate and university settings continue to develop new applications. As with any change, however, negative consequences may occur. Palumbi (2001) points out that technology may affect evolutionary change at a cost to society of $30 to $50 billion per year. Consumers may view the changes from agricultural applications of biotechnology in food production in a positive or negative light. This paper briefly reviews U.S. and European consumer attitudes toward applications of biotechnology.
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