Survey Shows What Australians Feel About Biotech

What do Australians feel about biotechnology? A national survey shows that Australians are supportive of biotechnology particularly those that lead to health and environmental benefits. It was conducted by the IPSOS-Eureka Social Research Institute and commissioned by the federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

The general public was found to be especially interested in genetic engineering, cloning and using organisms to clean up pollution. However, stem cell research gained the most positive response. "Of all the uses of biotechnology surveyed, the findings show that stem cell use remains the most accepted application, with the highest levels of perceived benefits (92%) and one of the lowest levels of perceived risk (24%)," said Dr. Craig Cormick, from the Department's National Enabling Technologies Strategy team.

Cormick also added that "GM food remains among the least well-supported biotechnologies, although the public perceives the benefits (70%) still outweigh the risks (48%)." He attributed this change to more of confusion and uncertainty rather than negative sentiment. Respondents had a tendency to change their opinion about GM foods if concepts of long term evidence of no harm or labeling were discussed. "It is actually getting harder to give a single figure for support or not for GM foods," Cormick explained.

View http://www.lifescientist.com.au/article/365640/aussies_give_thumbs_up_biotechnology/  for the full article.