Public release date: 27-Mar-2003

Contact: Stephane Hogan
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32-2-296-2965
European Commission's Research Directorate-General

'Europeans and biotechnology' survey of public perception

Survey based on 16,500 respondents in 15 European countries

The Eurobarometer 2002 survey on "Europeans and biotechnology" shows
that when asked whether biotechnology will
improve our way of life or not, 43% of Europeans are optimistic, 17%
pessimistic, 12% said it would make no difference and as many as 27%
said "don't know". In the period 1999-2002, optimism in biotechnology
has increased to the level seen in the early 1990s after a decade of
continuously decline. Europeans continue to distinguish between
medical applications, for which support is clear, and agricultural
and food applications, which are not widely supported. However, there
is a change from the downward trend in attitudes to GM food over the
past six years. While on average GM food is still not supported, in
many countries attitudes have become more positive since the last
survey was conducted in 1999. While the cloning of human cells and
tissues is on average supported in all EU countries, the exploitation
of genetic information is a source of concern for many Europeans.

This fifth Eurobarometer survey on biotechnology and the life
sciences follows those conducted in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1999 and in
2002. The survey is based on a representative sample of 16,500
respondents, approximately 1000 in each EU member state (see report
for exceptions). Survey design and analysis were conducted by a
research group 'Life Sciences in European Society' supported by DG
Research. In a year when many European countries are involved in
public discussions on aspects of biotechnology, this survey stands as
a contribution to the informed debate.

The European Commission has emphasised the need for "societal
scrutiny and dialogue" in the Life Sciences and Biotechnology - A
Strategy for Europe 2002 (COM(2002)27).

Europeans are not technophobes.

The greater majority thinks that telecommunications, computers and
IT, the internet, solar energy and mobile phones will improve our way
of life over the next 20 years. Trend data since 1991 shows that for
telecommunications, computers and information technology, there is
little change in optimism. For biotechnology, when asked whether it
would improve our way of life or not, 43% of Europeans were
optimistic, 17% pessimistic about biotechnology and 27% said they
didn't know. This is about the same percentage as in 1999. It is
interesting to note that, after a decade of continuously declining
optimism in biotechnology, in many European countries the trend is
halted in the latest survey. In the period 1999-2002, optimism has
increased to the level seen in the early 1990s. This rise in optimism
holds for the all the EU Member States with the exception of Germany
and the Netherlands, where such a rise was observed between 1996 and
1999.

More support for medical application than for agri-food uses

Opinions differ significantly when asked about medical or industrial
applications of biotechnology compared to agri-food. For instance
genetic testing for inherited diseases, and cloning human cells and
tissues are supported in all Member states. Xenotransplantation,
however, which involves the use of transgenic animals, is perceived
to be both moderately useful and moderately risky. The use of
genetically modified enzymes to produce environmentally friendly
washing powders is well perceived and supported by a majority of
Europeans. For GM crops, support is lukewarm. While they are judged
to be moderately useful they are seen as almost as risky as GM foods.
Public opinion tends to supports GM crops in Spain, Portugal,
Ireland, Belgium, UK, Finland, Germany and the Netherlands, while
France, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Austria and Luxembourg have publics
that are, on average, opposed to GM crops. This is consistent with
the fact that, with the exception of Belgium, these are countries
that called for the extension of the de facto moratorium on the
commercial exploitation of GM crops. A majority of Europeans do not
support GM foods. These are judged not to be useful and to be risky
for society. Overall support for GM foods is seen in only four
countries - Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Finland. These varying
degrees of acceptance show that Europeans continue to distinguish
between different types of applications, particularly medical in
contrast to agri-food applications.

Changes in attitudes in the 15 EU countries: a change since 1999?

All the EU countries, with the exception of Spain and Austria, showed
moderate to large declines in support for both GM crops over the
period 1996-1999. Thereafter support more or less stabilises in
France and Germany and increases in all the other countries with the
exception of Italy, which sees a 10% decline in support.

How Europeans rate different actors involved in biotechnology

Around 70% of Europeans have confidence in doctors, university
scientists, consumer organisations and patients' organisations in
their dealings with biotechnology. Around 55% have confidence in
scientists working in industry, newspapers and magazines,
environmental groups, shops, farmers and the European Commission.
However, less than 50% have confidence in their own government and in
industry. For all the actors mentioned more Europeans think they are
doing a good job than a bad job. Yet, across Europe as a whole about
25% lack confidence in farmers, shops, government and industry. In
2002, all of the actors have a confidence surplus (the difference
between the percentages seen as doing a good and a bad job). There is
more confidence in the European Commission, than in national
governments in relation to regulation – surpluses of 52% and 43%
respectively. Confidence in university scientists is higher than for
scientists working in industry – surpluses of 76% and 56%
respectively. In 1999 industry had a confidence deficit of minus 10%,
but by 2002 this has shifted into a surplus of 23%.

The acceptability of uses of genetic information

The results on the acceptability of various uses of genetic data
confirm that this is controversial issue where public concerns need
to be taken into account. On the one hand, medical applications of
such tests for the detection of diseases attract majority support. On
the other, however, for tests used in the public domain for crime
detection, the European public is split - 43% in favour and 44%
against. Access to genetic information by government agencies and by
commercial insurance is widely seen as unacceptable. Across the 15 EU
states there is a North/South divide in the willingness to allow
access to genetic information. Greece, Spain and Portugal are more
relaxed than Austria, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Denmark.

Social and cultural values and biotechnology attitudes

Many Europeans are concerned about the fragility of nature and about
the impact of human actions and technology upon nature. At the same
time materialist values are seen in the agreement that economic
growth enhances quality of life. Yet, there is little perceived
'harmony of interests' between citizens and business or powerful
multinationals. Those more optimistic about biotechnology tend to be
more materialistic and less concerned about nature.

Source of survey and analysis

The Eurobarometer 58.0 Survey was conducted by Public Opinion
Analysis Unit of the European Commission. The analysis and report was
prepared by the 'Life Sciences in European Society' research project
led by George Gaskell of the London School of Economics with the
financial support of the European Union (Research contract QLG7-CT-
1999- 00286).

###

The report on the Eurobarometer survey will be available on-line:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/archives/eb/ ebs_177_en.pdf

For further information regarding the analysis of the survey:
George Gaskell,
London School of Economics, UK.
Email: [log in to unmask]

SOURCE: EurekAlert
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-03/ecrd-ab032703.php

* * *
Murray Charters <[log in to unmask]>
http://www.geocities.com/murraycharters/
http://www.TherapeuticCloning.ca/

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