Trust in Scientists and Food Manufacturers: Implications for the Public Support of Biotechnology

An analysis of data from the U.S. Biotechnology Study, 1997S1998 reveals that few variables affect public trust in scientists, while variables representing perceived benefits, risks, trustworthiness, and competence affect trust in food manufacturers on matters of biotechnology. Both trust in scientists and trust in food manufacturers have a large and important effect on public support for biotechnology, although trust in scientists is found to be more important than trust in food manufacturers. Findings of this analysis suggest that trust in scientists is relatively generalized, while trust in food manufacturers is particularized.