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Surveys October 2000: Summary of a survey of 143 Kentuckians on knowledge of genetically engineered crops in foods          [This survey was conducted by students in the Agriculture Communications Program at the University of Kentucky.] In a random telephone survey of 143 Kentuckians in October of 2000, only half (1/2) of respondents indicated that they had heard anything about food products made from genetically engineered plants. The other half of the sample who indicated that they had heard something about genetically engineered foods products were generally better educated and had higher gross incomes than those who reported no knowledge. In the survey, the half of the sample who indicated that they had heard something about food products made from genetically engineered plants were asked to agree or disagree with six belief statements concerning biotechnology issues. Sixty-one percent of these respondents believed that genetically engineered foods will improve the well-being of poor people around the world; 57 percent agreed that the widespread use of genetically engineered crops will hurt small farmers; and 55 percent disagreed with the statement that genetic engineering will improve the quality of foods I buy. Slightly more than half of respondents (56 percent) also believed genetic engineering will make the food they buy more expensive. About half of the sample (52 percent) agreed that they liked the idea of having genetically engineered foods available in supermarkets. Seventy-eight percent of respondents indicated that they were concerned or somewhat concerned about the potential of genetically engineered foods to be associated with allergic reactions in consumers. Of those expressing some level of concern, 73 percent believed that listing component genetic material on genetically engineered food products would make such foods more acceptable to them. Concerning the issue of a link between growing genetically engineered crops and the environment, 24 percent believed there was a connection, with just over 15 percent believing crop production using genetically engineered plants threatens the environment and just over eight percent believing they protected the environment. Slightly more than a third of the respondents believed there was no linkage at all between genetically engineered crops and the environment. The largest group ­ 42 percent of respondents ­ indicated that they didn't know about the relationship.