Biotech Updates

Study Measures Bavarian Students' Hopes and Fears on GM

December 11, 2013

Researchers at University of Bayreuth analyzed the perceptions of about 500 Bavarian tenth graders regarding genetic engineering. By using mixed-methods approach, the students scored their hopes and fears about the technology on a 4-point Likert scale and wrote statements about their individual associations.

Results of the survey showed that hopes scored much higher than fears, indicating medium effect. Hopes were associated with economic and ecological aspects as well as with world food security, while fears were related to risks to human health and the environment. Subjective knowledge were also found to have significant effect on hopes, while objective knowledge did not.

The findings of the study can help educators in preparing age-appropriate biology lessons: Hopes and fears need to be specifically addressed in order to optimize educational efforts and to support students to become responsible citizens.

Read more about the study at http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/161082/2/1314-goldschmidt_v2.pdf.