TY - JOUR AU - James, Jennifer S. TI - Consumer knowledge and acceptance of agricultural biotechnology vary JF - California Agriculture JO - Calif Agr Y1 - 2004/04/01 VL - 58 IS - 2 SP - 99 EP - 105 PB - University of California Agriculture and Nature Resources SN - 0008-0845 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.3733/ca.v058n02p99 L3 - 10.3733/ca.v058n02p99 AB - Results from consumer surveys reveal some basic conclusions about consumer attitudes toward agricultural biotechnology. First, consumers do not agree about whether biotech foods are good or bad. Second, a small group of people strongly opposes them. Third, the majority of consumers are uninformed about the technology and how food is produced. Relatively small but vocal anti-biotechnology activist groups are successful at influencing public opinion because of consumers' lack of knowledge, creating a role for universities and government agencies to provide clear, objective and accessible information.