Prospects for consumer acceptance of biotechnology: Research and communication

USDA-Hatch,. There is a need for market information about genetically engineered food products in order for consumers to make informed choices. This project year has investigated whether there are niche markets for rBST free and organic milk and has estimated, using both market and consumer data, hedonic models of the demand for milk. There appear to be niche markets for both rBST free and organic milk. In addition, consumer data indicate that in 2004, consumers attitudes do not influence their valuation of the rBST free characteristic. Consumers desire information. It appears in the case of voluntary labeling of the RBST free characteristic, consumers are obtaining information they need to make decisions that satify their wants and needs. (J. Kolodinsky, T. DeSisto) Project members: Kolodinsky; DeSisto