The debate over genetically engineering food and animals has heretofore centered primarily around benefits and risks, but many Americans, according to the poll, have ethical or religious views that significantly affect their opinions of this new technology. Questioned specifically about their own religious or moral views regarding agricultural biotechnology, a majority of Christians (Protestants, born-again Christians and Catholics) and a plurality of Muslims voiced opposition to moving genes from one species or organism to put into another. As reported by the poll, Jews were the only religious group that had a majority in support of the technology.
Some 57% of Protestants (62% of Evangelicals) were found to oppose the technology based on religious or ethical views, the poll reported, while 37% expressed support. Catholics' responses were slightly more evenly divided, with 52% opposing and 42% favoring genetic engineering. Muslims also were split rather closely on the issue, with 46% of them opposing the technology and 32% supporting it. Those of the Jewish faith were, by far, the most supportive, as 55% favored and 35% opposed the technology.