According to the findings of this survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC), consumers support the use of food biotechnology where they believe there is potential benefit to the environment and for improving sustainability; 29% of U.S. adults are somewhat or very favorable toward animal biotechnology, while 27% are somewhat or very unfavorable, and 24% are neutral on the issue.

Most consumers respond positively to the benefits of biotechnology for the environment and sustainability. In particular, half of consumers have heard or read at least “a little” about sustainability in food production, which is a significant increase from those who indicated similarly (41%) in 2008. In 2007, only 30% aware of the concept.

A slight majority of U.S. adults (51%) feel either neutral or unfavorable toward animal biotechnology, with most of these consumers stated, “I don’t have enough information” about animal biotechnology (55%) or “I don’t understand the benefits of using biotechnology with animals” (39%) as their reason for being unfavorable or neutral on the issue.

Furthermore, survey findings reveal that 53% of respondents believe that animal biotechnology can reduce the impact of farmed animals (e.g., animal waste) on the environment while others (18%) believe it will have a negative effect or no effect (21%) at all.

More than half (58%) of respondents say they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to buy meat, milk, or eggs from animals modified with genetic engineering since the U.S. FDA has determined that they are safe; 31% are “not too likely” or “not likely at all” to make such purchases.