Current and Future Leaders' Perceptions of Agricultural Biotechnology

Autor/inn/en	Wingenbach, Gary J.; Miller, Rene P.
Titel	Current and Future Leaders' Perceptions of Agricultural Biotechnology
Quelle	In: Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, 38 (2009), S.167-172 (6 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1059-9053
DOI	10.4195/jnrlse.2008.0022
Schlagwörter	Extension Education; Biotechnology; Information Sources; Internet; Newspapers; Administrator Attitudes; Surveys; Futures (of Society); Legislators; Agriculture; Family Influence; Age Differences; Agricultural Education; Statistical Analysis; Texas + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Erweitertes Bildungsangebot; Biotechnologie; Information source; Informationsquelle; Newspaper; Zeitung; Survey; Umfrage; Befragung; Future; Society; Zukunft; Landwirtschaft; Age; Difference; Age difference; Altersunterschied; Agriculture; Education; Landwirtschaftliche Ausbildung; Ausbildung; Statistische Analyse
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. (Contains 3 tables.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Society of Agronomy. 677 South Segoe Road, Madison, WI 53711. Tel: 608-273-8080; Fax: 608-273-2021; Web site: http://www.jnrlse.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10