Illinois Agriculture Teacher Acceptance of Agriculture Biotechnology

Some nations have strictly regulated the cultivation of GMO crops, while critics have tried to raise the alarm on potential risks, environmental impact, social justice and ethical concerns regarding certain aspects of biotechnology. Given the recent advances and the benefits to those countries engaged in implementing biotechnology, and the scope of its use in so many countries, it is important that U.S. citizens understand what it is, and how it is employed. This descriptive study sought to assess agricultural teachers’ acceptance of agriculture biotechnology by determining teacher knowledge, beliefs about, resources, and opinions on curriculum regarding biotechnology topics. Further, agricultural teachers’ perceptions of biotechnology in the curriculum, and their self-efficacy as a teacher of biotechnology were determined. 453 agricultural teachers were surveyed in Illinois, with a response rate of 25.4%. It was found that ag teachers had a positive attitude toward biotechnology; but that they were not familiar with certain biotechnology topics. To achieve teaching success of biotechnology, more remains to be done.