A focus group study conducted by a food science societyindicated that four out of five people have a favorable view ofbiotechnology applied to food.

The Institute of Food Technologists, based in Chicago,interviewed consumers in focus groups in Colorado, Nebraska,New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Institute releasedresults Monday following the FDA's announcement last weekthat "biotech foods" will require no special regulation.

The focus groups, consisting of eight to 12 people each, alsoapproved of increased milk production and lower-fat meatfrom the use of biotechnology. These consumers also toldresearchers they believed government funding forbiotechnology research should be increased and that Americansneed more information about the use of biotechnology.

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.