Biotechnology Australia: Push-Polling Not True

A survey conducted by an independent research company, Eureka Strategic Research, for the Australian Government agency Biotechnology Australia, shows that gene technology and biotechnology are gaining public favor and acceptance. After the release of the report, anti-biotechnology activists groups accused Biotechnology Australia of push-polling. Push-polling is when a survey is conducted with a hidden objective to disseminate information, rather than collecting opinions.

Mr Craig Cormick, the Manager of Public Awareness for Biotechnology Australia, responded to the criticisms, saying that "the groups were involved in the round table with industry groups and researchers that workshopped the questions for the survey, and they were happy with the questions when they were developed."

"The fact is, the survey is statistically valid, is well regarded internationally, and many academic papers have been published based on the findings revealed by these biennial surveys of community attitudes to biotechnology", he adds. Cormick stated that the same questions as those in the past were deliberately used in the 2007 survey to track changes in public attitudes over time.

To read more, visit http://www.biotechnology.gov.au/index.cfm?event=object.showContent&objectID=3DE9E69C-0925-3DA0-88892A3B34F81365.