This research examines public support for a variety of animal and plant agricultural biotechnology applications and explores whether the determinants of support for each application vary by knowledge, trust, benefits, and sociodemographic variables.

First-wave bioengineered products are where specific traits are added or enhanced to increase yields.  About 17% of dairy cows in the United States were injected with a version of a naturally occurring bovine growth hormone to increase milk production in 2001.

Second-wave bioengineered products are referred to as “nutraceuticals” or “functional foods,” in which specific traits are added or enhanced to increase nutrients or improve the taste of food crops or animals.

Third-wave bioengineered products comprise plants or animals that are grown or raised for non-food purposes.

Previous studies reveal that knowledge, trust, benefits, and sociodemographic variables are associated with consumer perceptions of biotechnology.

The vehicle used (animal or plant) appears to outweigh both the function and type of application, although non-food applications tended to receive higher support levels than genetically modified foods.

Plant applications received higher support than animal applications.

The determinants for each biotechnology application were different, and their explanatory power varied by application.

Only perceived benefits were significantly related to each biotechnology application.