COGNITIVE DETERMINANTS OF RISK PERCEPTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH BIOTECHNOLOGY

Previous research on risk perception suggests that levels of education and information influence concerns over the effects of new technology . This article reports analysis of the impact of several cognitive fac tors (including education and knowledge) on the perception of risks at tributed to applications of modern biotechnology (based on genetic eng ineering) to food production and agriculture. Using data From a 1992 U S-nationwide telephone survey the statistical research identifies thos e cognitive factors that significantly influence risk perceptions. Add itionally, the study reveals those potential influences that, despite their prominence in political and popular debates on risk communicatio n and science education, do not determine the perception of risks on b iotechnology in ally significant manner.