Eurobarometer Europeans and Biotechnology in 2005: Patterns and Trends

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Europeans and Biotechnology in 2005: Patterns and Trends
Eurobarometer 64.3, A report to the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research, May 2006.

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Extracts from the Key findings of relevance to renewable bioproducts

Introduction This is the sixth in a series of Eurobarometer surveys on biotechnology. The surveys have been conducted in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002 and 2005. The survey is based on a representative sample of 25,000 respondents, approximately 1,000 in each EU Member State. Currently, issues such as stem cell research, the co-existence of GM, conventional and organic farming, the use of genetic information, and other innovations such as nanotechnology and pharmacogenetics are under discussion. Furthermore debates about broader issues such as the governance of science and citizen engagement continue. This survey stands as a contribution to the informed public and policy debate.

Overview The portrait of European citizens painted by the 2005 survey, in comparison to earlier surveys, shows them to be more optimistic about technology, more informed and more trusting of the biotechnology system. The European public is not risk-averse about technological innovations that are seen to promise tangible benefits. While the majority are willing to delegate responsibility on new technologies to experts, making decisions on the basis on the scientific evidence, a substantial minority would like to see greater weight given to moral and ethical considerations in decision taking about science and technology and to the voices of the public. There is widespread support for medical (red) and industrial (white) biotechnologies, but general opposition to agricultural (green) biotechnologies in all but a few countries. Europeans are interested in finding out about the risks and benefits associated with stem cell research, a utilitarian approach that informs their generally supportive view of this technology. The lesson for agri-food biotechnology is that unless new crops and products are seen to have consumer benefits, the public will continue to be sceptical. Looking across public perceptions of a range of technologies, resistance to GM food is the exception rather than the rule. There is no evidence that opposition to GM food is a manifestation of a wider disenchantment with science and technology in general.

Optimism about the contribution of technology to society Europeans are generally optimistic about the contribution of technology to our way of life. An index of optimism shows a high and stable level for computers and information technology and solar energy from 1991 to 2005. Over the same period the index for biotechnology declined steeply from 1991 to 1999. From 1999 to 2005 the trend reversed, and now biotechnology is back to the level of 1991. Optimism about nanotechnology has increased since 2002 € the ratio of optimists to pessimists is eight to one. Europeans have become less pessimistic about nuclear power, but the pessimists still out number the optimists, even in France.

Nanotechnology, pharmacogenetics and gene therapy Europeans support the development of nanotechnology, pharmacogenetics and gene therapy. All three technologies are perceived as useful to society and morally acceptable. Neither nanotechnology nor pharmcogenetics are perceived to be risky. While gene therapy is seen as a risk for society, Europeans are prepared to discount this risk as they perceive the technology to be both useful and morally acceptable.

GM Food Overall Europeans think that GM food should not be encouraged. GM food is widely seen as not being useful, as morally unacceptable and as a risk for society. Looking at a section of the European public € the €decided€ public € who have a view on four key questions about GM food, 58 per cent oppose and 42 per cent support. Only in Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Czech Republic and Lithuania do the supporters out-number the opponents.

Governance of science and technology Given a choice between, firstly, decision making based on scientific evidence or on moral and ethical criteria, and secondly, decisions made on expert evidence or reflecting the views of the public, the majority of Europeans (six in ten) opt for the principle of scientific delegation (experts and scientific evidence). Nearly one in five opt for moral delegation (experts and moral reasoning), one in six moral deliberation (the public and moral reasoning) and one in ten scientific deliberation (the public and scientific evidence). Of the four principles of governance, scientific delegation is associated with higher levels of optimism about technology and support for nanotechnology and GM food. The principle of moral delegation is associated with lower levels of optimism and lower support for specific technologies. To build further confidence in science policy it would seem prudent to ensure that moral and ethical considerations and the public voice(s) are seen to inform discussions and decisions.

Trust in actors involved in biotechnology The 2005 survey data do not support the claim that there is a crisis of trust in actors involved in biotechnology in Europe. Trust in university and industry scientists, and in industry itself show substantial improvements since 1999. The European Union is more trusted than respondents€ national government in the regulation of biotechnology and on the reporting of biotechnology, newspapers and magazines are trusted more than television.

Uses of genetic information The European public is supportive, but not overwhelmingly supportive, of the use of genetic data for personal medical diagnosis and for gene banks for research into diseases. 58 per cent say they would allow their genetic data to be banked for research purposes, while 36 per cent say they would not. Forensic uses attract about the same level of support as medical research. Access to genetic information by government agencies and for commercial insurance is widely seen as unacceptable. Support for genetic data banks cannot be taken for granted. While 70 per cent or more are in support in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Netherlands € perhaps evidencing the communitarian ethic € support is only around 40 per cent in Germany, Greece and Austria and the public in some other countries is divided on the issue.

Modes of engagement in science and technology Europeans are more knowledgeable about biotechnology and genetics than in 2002. A majority say they are €often€ or €sometimes€ €interested in science and technology€ and €keep up to date on what is going on in science and technology€. 71 per cent of the European public €definitely would€ or €probably would€ read articles or watch TV programmes on biotechnology, 33 per cent would take part in public discussions or hearings. Four modes of engagement with biotechnology are identified € the €active€ (10 per cent), €attentive€ (15 per cent), €spectator€ (35 per cent) and €unengaged€ (40 per cent) European. The €active€ European has heard and talked about biotechnology, has searched the internet for information about it and has probably attended a public meeting concerning biotechnology; for the €unengaged€ European, the issue is not on the radar screen. Compared to the other two modes of engagement the €attentive€ and €active€ European is more optimistic about the contribution of technology to society and more supportive of technologies. A feature that distinguishes the €active€ from the €attentive€ European is that the former is more sensitive to risk.

Contents

Summary of key findings

• Introduction
• Overview
• Optimism about the contribution of technology to society
• Stem cell research
• Governance of science and technology
• Modes of engagement in science and technology
• Young people and science
• Women and science
• Transatlantic comparisons

1. Introduction
2. Technological optimism & pessimism.
3. Evaluating applications of biotechnology
3.1 Gene therapy, pharmacogenetics, GM food and nanotechnology
3.2 Reasons for buying or not buying GM food
3.3 Industrial (white) biotechnology
3.4 Overview
4. Stem cell research
4.1 Opinions on stem cell research
4.2 What information do people want about stem cell research?
5. Governance, trust and information
5.1 The Governance of Science
5.2 Trust in key actors and in sources of information
5.3 Opinions about the uses of genetic information
5.4 Overview
6. Engagement & knowledge
6.1 Knowledge about biotechnology
6.2 How has public knowledge of biology and genetics changed over time?
6.3 Interest in Science and Technology
6.4 Participation in issues concerning biotechnology
6.5 Modes of engagement with biotechnology
6.6 How do groups differ in other ways?
7. Europe of tomorrow: young people and science
7.1 Technological optimism and pessimism
7.2 Interest in politics and science and technology
7.3 Knowledge
7.4 Own body and health
8. Women and science
8.1 Interest and knowledge in science and technology
8.2 Expectations
8.3 Gender and the 'logics' of support and opposition
8.4 Modes of Engagement
8.5 Overview
9. A transatlantic perspective.
10 References