This article evaluates the risk/reflexive society perspective empirically by examining debates surrounding agricultural biotechnologies and the relationships between concepts associated with this perspective and support for agricultural biotechnology applications, using data from a regional U.S.  Southwest telephone survey (n = 432).  The perspective aided in conceptualizing debates surrounding agricultural biotechnology applications.  Proponents of biotechnology tend to promote arguments consistent with the industrial paradigm, whereas critics tend to espouse risk/reflexivesociety arguments.  The survey findings were more difficult to interpret.  Trust and items about industrial agriculture were significantly related to support for both plant and animal biotechnology applications.  Perceived knowledge was only significantly related to plant applications, while perceived control and how foods are produced were not significantly related to support.  As the debates surrounding biotechnology remain controversial and the populace remains relatively unengaged, these results portray a public that represents a spectrum of views along an industrial/risk continuum.