ESCOP – ECOP

1. ESCOP – ECOP Biotech Survey 2002 Research Developed and Conducted by: Thomas J. Hoban, Ph.D. - N.C. State University Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes, Ph.D. - University of Missouri

2. Overview of Survey • Role of Land Grant Universities • Strategic Assessment • Impacts of Biotechnology • Communication • Conclusions

3. 1. Role of Land Grant Universities

4. Please rate each of the following biotechnology-related activities as to its importance for the Land Grant University system and how much each is needed. Majority agrees that further research on biotechnology impacts and policy support is very important for LGUs Importance of LGU activities… Not surprisingly, AgBio scientists are much more likely to view basic research as important, while social scientists are much more likely to view social and economic impact research as important. Extension personnel view development of extension materials and interpretation of findings as important. Research on biotechnology food safety & health risks 61 25 10 3 1 1 Research on environmental impacts of biotechnology 60 28 8 2 0 1 57 32 7 1 1 2 Provide scientific information to public policy makers 44 31 15 5 2 1 Basic research (e.g. genomics) Research on social and economic impacts of biotechnology 41 29 20 7 2 1 39 40 15 2 1 2 Interpret research findings and identify problems Interpret trends & anticipate consequences of biotechnology 38 36 18 5 1 1 37 31 20 7 4 2 Applied research (e.g. development of new crop varieties) 35 35 21 6 2 1 Help farmers understand the application of biotechnology 34 35 20 7 2 1 Develop and deliver training for Extension agents Provide information to the public using mass media 33 35 21 7 3 2 33 32 23 8 3 2 Analyze and discuss the ethical implications of biotechnology 31 36 21 8 2 2 Develop Extension educational materials for consumers Develop & conduct training programs for government agencies 14 30 31 16 6 2 Very important and needed right away Not important and not needed 5 4 3 2 1 NA

5. Role of Land Grant Universities • LGU faculty concur that the most urgent biotechnology-related activities pertain to assessing the risks of biotechnology - specifically health & safety and environment impacts. • Six in ten faculty also say that providing scientific information to policy-makers is very important. • Less than half concur on the importance of all other activities, except within the discipline affected (e.g. social scientists say social science is important, agbio scientists say basic research is important).

6. 2. Strategic Assessment

7. The Land Grant University system has certain strengths that could enable it to play an effective role in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with biotechnology. Please rate each of the following strengths in terms of how well it describes the LGU system. Describes very well Does not describe at all 4 2 1 5 3 DK/NA LGUs' strength is in providing scientific expertise & knowledge Strengths of LGU system… Scientific expertise and knowledge base 61 30 6 1 0 2 Links to farm and commodity groups 37 37 17 3 1 5 35 35 20 7 1 2 Direct contact with public through extension programs Credibility with the public 29 44 21 4 1 2 Interdisciplinary orientation and multidisciplinary 29 37 24 6 2 2 expertise Third party position for interaction with public 22 39 26 9 2 2 and private entities

8. The Land Grant University system has certain weaknesses that could prevent it from playing an effective role in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with biotechnology. Please rate each of the following weaknesses in terms of how well it describes the LGU system. Describes very well Does not describe at all 4 2 1 5 3 DK/NA Shrinking government funding is the biggest factor preventing LGUs from fulfilling their role Weaknesses of LGU system… Shrinking governmentfunding 56 26 11 4 2 1 Lack of flexibility indeployment of resources 25 36 25 11 3 1 Slow to act and resistant tochange 23 34 28 11 2 1 15 30 30 16 6 2 Not market driven in itsprograms Limited attention to socialand ethical issues 15 25 32 19 7 1 Lack of coordination andcooperation among LandGrant Universities 14 27 31 18 6 5 7 22 27 30 14 1 Limited ability to communicate with the laypublic

9. The Land Grant University system faces certain opportunities associated with biotechnology. Please rate the importance of each of the following. Provide expertise on various issues and stay in the picture Opportunities for LGU system… Opportunities to apply multi- disciplinary expertise 42 40 13 3 1 2 Opportunity to remainrelevant 42 37 14 3 2 3 Chance to provide relevantinformation and real serviceto farmers 38 36 18 5 2 2 Chance to increasecapability for dealing withcomplex & controversialissues 34 36 22 5 1 2 Chance to access newsources of funding 32 40 20 4 3 2 Not important Not important 4 2 1 5 3 DK/NA

10. The Land Grant University system faces certain threats associated with biotechnology. Please rate each of the following threats in terms of its severity. Staying objective on the subject Risks to LGU system… May not be perceived asneutral on the topic 35 33 18 8 4 2 May face competition fromother groups to do thesame work 24 30 24 14 6 2 Could cause negativereaction from traditionalclientele 11 26 32 22 8 2 May cause declines intraditional funding sources 11 20 30 27 10 2 Very serious Not serious 4 2 1 5 3 DK/NA

11. In the past few years, increasing attention has been focused on the links between research programs in land grant universities and industry. For each of the following statements, indicate your agreement. Increase cooperation between LGU system and private industry, but proceed with caution Emerging issues for LGU system… Increased corporate sponsorship of land grant agricultural research is necessary because public research funds are no 25 33 22 10 8 2 longer adequate If linkages between public agricultural researchers and private industry continue to increase, public research will have become 24 28 23 18 6 2 too oriented to the needs of industry Linkages between public agricultural research institutions and 18 31 26 15 9 2 private companies should be strengthened Increased university-industry linkages are essential in 18 30 28 14 9 2 developing new technologies to meet foreign competition Private industry has too much influence on land-grant 17 37 25 12 7 2 biotechnology research Increased linkages between public agricultural researchers and 17 21 27 23 11 2 private firms will enable more rapid transfer of new technology to farmers Universities should avoid becoming too involved in 16 24 20 23 15 1 biotechnology research with private companies Linkages between public agricultural and private firms help 12 35 26 16 9 2 make agricultural research institutions more relevant to the needs of farmers Strongly agree Neutral Strongly disagree 3 2 1 5 4 DK/NA

12. Strategic Assessment • Six in ten faculty strongly agree that a key strength of the LGU system is in providing scientific expertise and a base of knowledge. • A majority see shrinking government funding as an obstacle to LGUs addressing the challenges and opportunities of biotechnology. • About four in ten faculty say that it is very important for the LGU system: to provide expertise, pertinent information and service - especially to farmers, and to remain relevant. • The top faculty concern about the LGU system is that it is not perceived as neutral: one third of faculty say this is a very serious issue.

13. Strategic Assessment • One quarter of the faculty strongly agree that increased corporate sponsorship of agricultural research in LGUs is necessary, but an equal number worry that this will result in the research becoming overly biased towards the needs of industry.

14. 3. Views on the Impacts of Biotechnology

15. There are a number of possible uses of modern biotechnology with different potential impacts. Rank the following potential benefits in terms of importance to society. Use biotechnology to protect the environment and improve food safety and nutrition Key benefits offered by biotechnology… Reduces the need for chemical pesticides 52 31 9 3 2 2 Promotes environmental protection or sustainability 48 32 11 4 3 2 40 34 15 5 4 2 Improves the safety of foods 33 41 16 4 3 3 Enhances nutritional content of foods 28 35 21 7 6 2 Lowers costs for farmers 24 46 19 5 4 3 Produces higher quality food ingredients 20 28 26 14 9 3 Lowers the cost of food for consumers 19 46 23 5 4 2 Enhances nutritional quality of animal feed 15 36 28 11 8 2 Reduces the type or amount of fat in foods 9 29 31 17 10 3 Lowers the cost of ingredients for food processors Improves the taste of food 8 26 33 20 11 2 Very important Not important 4 2 1 5 3 DK/NA

16. How much benefit do you think each of the following groups will receive from the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production? Biotechnology companies will benefit most from the fruits of their labor Who benefits MOST from biotechnology… Biotechnology companies 71 23 3 0 0 2 Farmers in the US 25 37 19 12 5 2 Consumers in developingcountries 24 23 21 18 13 2 Farmers in developing countries 23 24 22 19 10 2 Food processors ormanufacturers 22 45 24 6 1 2 Consumers in the US 18 32 30 10 6 2 Land Grant Universities 9 36 37 10 4 3 Great benefit No benefit 4 2 1 5 3 DK/NA

17. How important is each of the following concerns that have been raised about the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production? Corporate control over agriculture is biggest concern Concerns about agricultural biotechnology… Increased corporate control over agriculture 38 26 17 11 5 2 31 25 20 16 6 2 Potential negative environmental impacts 30 25 19 15 9 3 Long term effects & impacts on future generations 28 26 22 12 10 2 Lack of labeling for consumer choice 26 29 25 11 6 3 Logistical and segregation problems in marketing 25 24 18 21 9 3 Potential food safety & health risks Moral or ethical issues 20 21 26 18 13 2 Lack of benefits for consumers 19 21 26 17 13 3 Increased costs or prices of products developedthrough biotechnology 15 25 29 20 9 3 Very important Not important 4 2 1 5 3 DK/NA

18. For each of the following statements about the use of modern biotechnology in agriculture and food production, please indicate your agreement or disagreement. Misunderstanding and lack of research funding are biggest threats to biotechnology Agricultural biotechnology issues (Part 1)… Public concern over safety of agri-biotechnologies is out of proportion with actual risks 38 29 13 12 7 3 Government should fund more biotechnology research becauseof potential benefit to public 34 37 18 6 3 2 29 35 17 11 6 2 Biotechnology has already provided benefits to consumers 29 30 21 9 8 2 Benefits of using biotechnology to create food cropsthat do not require chemical pesticides aregreater than the risks The social and economic impacts of biotechnology have beengiven too little attention by mostagricultural scientists 29 30 20 14 5 2 29 29 22 13 4 3 Large biotechnology corporations will gain too much controlover farmers' inputs through patenting Regulation of biotechnology should be based solely on the bestavailable science rather than onconsumer demands 29 28 16 17 9 2 If American companies are not allowed to develop biotechnologies other countries will do so and gaincompetitive advantage 5 3 22 34 23 14 2 Current regulations are not sufficient to protectpeople from the risks linked to biotechnology 14 20 22 24 18 34 29 14 9 2 Patenting is essential if biotechnology companies areto bring new technologies to the American farmer 12 25 34 16 12 2 11 Best future for American agriculture lies in the rapid development of biotechnology 37 29 16 6 2 Most consumers will buy foods produced with biotechnology if they are more nutritious 10 We have to accept some degree of risk from biotechnologyif it enhances the economic competitiveness ofour country 29 25 22 14 2 8 2 Until we know more, biotechnology should not beused because of unpredictable, potential risks 10 17 30 34 6 9 25 56 2 Advances in biotechnology will NOT be veryimportant for the future of US agriculture 3 5 34 35 18 2 2 8 Current federal regulations on biotechnologyare excessive and will stifleinnovation Strongly agree Neutral Strongly disagree 3 2 1 5 4 DK/NA

19. Impacts of Biotechnology • Environmental protection, including reducing reliance on agricultural chemicals and promoting sustainability are viewed as the most important benefits of agricultural biotechnology. • Reducing the cost of food ingredients and improving the taste of food are least likely to be seen as important benefits. • Biotechnology companies are seen as benefiting the most from the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production, while LGU’s are least likely to be viewed as benefiting. • Increased corporate control over agriculture is the greatest concern related to agricultural biotechnology.

20. Impacts of Biotechnology • Moral or ethical concerns, increases in prices and lack of benefits for consumers are at the bottom of the list of concerns. • More than one third of LGU faculty strongly agree that public safety concerns about agricultural biotechnology are over-inflated, and that more government funding for research in this field is needed.

21. 4. Communication

22. How important would it be for consumers to receive more information about each of the following topics. Consumers need to understand effects of biotechnology on food safety & nutrition, and the environment Consumers need more information on… 66 26 5 1 0 2 The effects of biotechnology on food safety or nutrition 61 30 5 1 1 2 The effects of biotechnology on the environment 43 36 13 4 1 2 The effects of biotechnology on food quality (including taste) 34 35 19 7 3 2 The effects of biotechnology on food costs 32 31 23 9 3 2 The science behind biotechnology 30 35 23 9 2 2 Social and economic implications of biotechnology 29 28 24 11 5 3 Ethical and moral issues associated with biotechnology Government policies and regulations regarding food 24 37 27 8 2 2 biotechnology Very important Not important 4 2 1 5 3 DK/NA

23. How useful would each of the following be for providing consumers with additional information about agricultural biotechnology? Best way to reach consumers is through television news broadcasts and the Internet Best way to reach consumers… 40 34 12 8 5 3 Television Newsbroadcasts 27 39 22 7 2 3 The Internet 23 44 23 6 2 3 News magazines (such asTime or Newsweek) 23 29 27 12 5 5 Conversations with otherpeople (such as family orfriends) 22 43 24 6 2 3 Daily Newspapers 11 25 32 22 7 3 Fact sheets or newsletters 11 22 32 24 9 3 Meetings or conferencessponsored by the ExtensionService Very useful Not at all useful 4 2 1 5 3 DK/NA

24. How would you describe the overall tone of media reports about modern biotechnology in your state? Media is perceived as neutral on biotechnology

25. Suppose you were asked to give a presentation about agricultural biotechnology. How comfortable would you be with the subject matter? Over half of participants are at least somewhat comfortable giving a presentation on biotechnology

26. Overall, would you say you strongly support, support, oppose, or strongly oppose the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production? Over 70 percent of participants support the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production

27. Communication • More than six in ten LGU faculty say that consumers should be given more information on the positive effects of biotechnology on food safety & nutrition, and the environment. • Television news, followed by the Internet are most likely to be viewed as a useful medium for communicating the benefits of agricultural biotechnology to consumers. • The majority of faculty say that media stories about biotechnology are neutral in tone, while nearly one quarter say that the tone of these stories is either somewhat positive or somewhat negative.

28. Communication • If asked to give a presentation on agricultural biotechnology, more than half of LGU faculty would be somewhat or completely comfortable with the subject matter. • Overall, seven in ten faculty members support or strongly support the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production.

29. Conclusions • LGU faculty concur that the main role of the LGU system is assessing the risks of agricultural biotechnology and providing scientific information to policy makers. • Faculty agree that the main strength that the LGU system can use to meet the challenges and opportunities associated with biotechnology is in the role of providing scientific expertise and knowledge. However, a lack of government funding hampers its efforts to effectively fulfill this role. • There is a general consensus that funding shortfalls could be overcome by increased corporate sponsorship of LGU research programs, but that this could result in research agendas being tailored too much to the needs of industry.