Agricultural Journalists’ Perceptions about Biotechnology Issues

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The purpose of this study is to gather agricultural journalists' perceptions about the consequences of biotechnology practices on human and environmental health.

Required Information:
Please indicate your newspaper affiliation type and title:
Daily Weekly Editor Writer Reporter
Please enter your two-letter state abbreviation:
How many years of journalism experience do you have?

The following questions give you a chance to state your viewpoints about biotechnology. From the responses available, select the one that best describes your opinions for each statement/item by clicking the radio button.

1. Are you aware of how biotechnology practices affect your:

Food No Somewhat Yes
Health No Somewhat Yes
Environment No Somewhat Yes
2. How long ago did you last hear or read something about biotechnology?

Less than 1 week
Less than 6 months
Less than 1 year
More than 1 year
Never

3. What is your current level of acceptance of genetic modification of the following organisms?
Organisms Highly
Unacceptable
Unacceptable
Acceptable		 Highly
Acceptable
a. Microorganisms
b. Forests/Landscape Plants
c. Food Crops
d. Animals
e. Humans

4. How important is agricultural biotechnology research for each of the following issues?
Issues Not at all
Important		 Somewhat
Important
Important		 Very
Important
a. Added nutritional value to food
b. Benefits to the environment
c. Control of released genes
d. Harming the environment
e. Reduction of pesticides
f. Risk compared to pesticides
g. Safer food

5. To what extent do you believe that agricultural biotechnology practices will affect the following?
Factors Very
Negative
Negative
Positive		 Very
Positive
a. Commercial farming
b. The environment
c. Fish and wildlife
d. Food production
e. Small scale farms
f. Your health

6. How often do you use the following factors to establish/maintain your perceptions about agricultural biotechnology practices?
Factors Never Occasionally Often Always
a. Colleagues’/Friends’ beliefs about biotechnology
b. Family’s beliefs about biotechnology
c. Previous science classroom/lab experiences
d. Publicly accepted attitudes about biotechnology
e. Religious beliefs
f. Scientific knowledge

7. How often do you use the following sources to gather information about agricultural biotechnology?
Sources Never Occasionally Often Always
a. Cooperative Extension Service
b. Internet
c. Newspapers
d. Private Organizations
e. Popular Magazines
f. Radio
g. Scientific Journals
h. Technical Publications/Reports
i. Television

8. How often do you hear or read something about agricultural biotechnology from the following sources?
Sources Never Occasionally Often Daily
a. Cooperative Extension Service
b. Internet
c. Newspapers
d. Private Organizations
e. Popular Magazines
f. Radio
g. Scientific Journals
h. Technical Publications/Reports
i. Television

9. How trustworthy do you think each of these sources is about agricultural biotechnology issues?
Sources Completely
Untrustworthy
Untrustworthy
Trustworthy		 Completely
Trustworthy
a. Activist Groups
b. Biotechnology Industry Representatives
c. Farmer/Rancher Groups
d. Government Officials
e. Internet
f. Newspapers
g. Retail Food Companies
h. Television
i. University Scientists/Researchers

10. How biased do you think each of these sources is about agricultural biotechnology issues?
Sources Completely
Biased
Biased
Unbiased		 Completely
Unbiased
a. Activist Groups
b. Biotechnology Industry Representatives
c. Farmer/Rancher Groups
d. Government Officials
e. Internet
f. Newspapers
g. Retail Food Companies
h. Television
i. University Scientists/Researchers

11. How fair do you think each of these sources is about agricultural biotechnology issues?
Sources Completely
Unfair
Unfair
Fair		 Completely
Fair
a. Activist Groups
b. Biotechnology Industry Representatives
c. Farmer/Rancher Groups
d. Government Officials
e. Internet
f. Newspapers
g. Retail Food Companies
h. Television
i. University Scientists/Researchers

12. People have different concerns about the use of agricultural biotechnology. How concerned are you about each of the following issues?
Issues Very
Unconcerned
Unconcerned
Concerned		 Very
Concerned
a. Low level of public knowledge
b. Ethical implications
c. Economic implications
d. Potential risks for the environment
e. Human health risks and safety issues
f. International and global implications
g. Consequences for farming and food production
h. Scientific uncertainty about biotechnology’s consequences

13. How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements?
Statements Strongly
Disagree
Disagree
Agree		 Strongly
Agree

a.   Scientists should pay attention to the wishes of the public, even if they think citizens are mistaken or do not understand their work.

b.   It is important to have public participation in making scientific decisions, regardless of people’s knowledge of the issues involved.

c.   Public opinion is more important than the scientists’ opinions when making decisions about scientific research.

d.   The actions of the scientific community should always reflect the will of the majority.

e.   Genes are the cell’s instructions for producing proteins.

f.   Through genetic engineering, scientists can produce genes that do not exist in nature.

g.   Manipulation of genetic material in plants to produce better crops has been performed by plant breeders for centuries.

h.   Genetic engineers can use gene guns or bacteria to transfer genes into an organism.

Demographics

What is your gender? Male Female
Have you ever lived on a farm/ranch? Yes No
Have you ever worked on a farm/ranch? Yes No

What is the highest level of education
you have completed?
High School Diploma or equivalent
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
Doctorate degree
 How would you rate your level of scientific knowledge?
Low
Somewhat Low
Average
Somewhat High
High
What is your age group?
Less than 30
30-39
40-49
50-59
60 or more
 Which category best describes your ethnicity?
White/Caucasian
African American
Hispanic American
Multi-racial
Other, please specify

Thank you for your time and participation!

Thank you for your interest in this survey. All data collection has ceased.
If you would like a similar survey posted to this portal, please contact us.