Awareness of and attitudes towards modern biotechnology of selected UPLB [University of the Philippines at Los Banos] personnel

Results of the study showed that majority of the respondents were highly aware of biotechnology (70%) and cloning (64%) based on the amount of information they had read or heard about it. Almost 80% were willing to buy genetically modified food with improved characteristics, although 42% said it would not have any effect on their buying decision. Sixty percent [60%] believed that they would benefit from biotechnology in the near future. About 80% would strongly or totally support the US Food and Drug Administration position on labeling, which states that a biotech-produced food should be labeled only if: (1) an allergen was introduced; or (2) if the nutritional content was changed. Otherwise, special labeling is not needed. More respondents (44%), however, would support the critics' view on labeling (all biotech-produced food should be labeled, even if no allergen was introduced or no changes were made on the nutritional content), than those who would support FDA (40%). On the issue of cloning, 50% were undecided on cloning of animals for food. Only 32% found cloning acceptable, while 79% found human cloning unacceptable. Almost 25% felt that human organ cloning was unacceptable. REPS and faculty from the biotech-related personnel were more highly aware of biotechnology than the administrative staff. They also showed more positive attitudes towards buying genetically modified food, as well as perceived benefits from biotechnology. Gender was significantly related with awareness level but not with attitudes of biotech-related personnel. However, gender was not significantly related with either awareness level nor the attitude of nonbiotech-related respondents. Awareness based on amount of information read about biotechnology and cloning also positively correlated with respondents' buying decisions, perceived benefits from biotechnology, labeling opinions and acceptability of cloning