No abstract

Were elected state FFA officers’ attitudes toward agricultural biotechnology significantly different from elected Texas legislators’ attitudes about the same topic? The purpose of this study was to determine if differences existed in agricultural biotechnology perceptions or information source preferences when compared by leadership status: current (Texas legislators) vs. future (state FFA officers). Descriptive survey methods were used to obtain data from all elected state FFA officers (n = 360) and all House (n = 150) and Senate (n = 181) members in Texas (n = 181). State FFA officers’ perceptions of agricultural biotechnology were influenced by their families’ perceptions of biotechnology; Texas legislators’ perceptions were not as affected by their families’ perceptions of biotechnology, possibly because of a function of age. Respondents perceived agricultural biotechnology as having “positive” effects on the environment. Legislators relied more on the cooperative extension service as their biotechnology information source than did state FFA officers. Both groups relied on the internet and newspapers as information sources for agricultural biotechnology. Since respondents used internet and newspapers as information sources, those working in agricultural biotechnology or those communicating it should use the internet and newspapers more often to educate leaders about agricultural biotechnology practices. Education about agricultural biotechnology through the most accessed media may produce more informed leaders, which may alleviate their concerns about agricultural biotechnology uses.