American consumer support for food biotechnology remains strong with nearly three quarters (71 percent vs. 65 percent in 2001) of the U.S. population saying they would likely buy produce that had been enhanced through biotechnology to be protected from insect damage and require fewer pesticide applications. In addition, more than half of American consumers (54 percent) would likely purchase the same produce if taste or freshness had been enhanced.

In the latest survey conducted for the International Food Information Council by Cogent Research in August 2002, most consumers (61 percent) still expect to benefit from biotechnology over the next five years. Of those expecting benefits, 41 percent look to improved quality, taste, and variety, 38 percent cite the area of health and nutrition, and 19 percent expect biotechnology to reduce the levels of chemicals and pesticides in food production.

Members of the American College of Nutrition (a professional organization established in 1959 to promote scientific endeavor in the field of nutritional sciences) also see benefits of this technology. In June 2002 they issued a statement in support of the continued research and use of food biotechnology.

Asserting that there is substantial scientific evidence establishing the safety of crops produced through biotechnology, the American College of Nutrition suggests that biotechnology be used "whenever possible" to improve crops to enhance dietary diversity and in turn the overall diets of resource-poor farmers and consumers. The College also believes that crops produced through biotechnology have the potential to benefit the environment through the reduction of farmers' reliance on pesticides in food production.

In addition, the College supports the continued use of sound science in the evaluation of products produced through biotechnology and encourages the nutrition science community to become involved in the evaluation of these products.

To see the full results of the August 2002 IFIC consumer survey visit http://ific.org. To receive a copy of, or information about, the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, go to http://www.am-coll-nutr.org.