Guide to Risk Assessment and Biosafety in Biotechnology, GRABB

An Initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

SECTION:

ISSUES RELATED TO BIOTECHNOLOGY

TITLE:

Public Perception of Biotechnology

BY:

Julian Kinderlerer

LABEL:

PER

UPDATED:

31 Dec 1997

Contact: IRRO Secretariat


CONTENTS

There are very few generalisations that may be made

The perception of uses of biotechnology differs significantly in different countries

Fig.1: Public Perceptions of Various Applications of Biotechnology

Table 1: Different Perceptions in Industrial and Developing Countries

Commonly Asked Questions

Fig.2: Issues Covered Most Frequently in Popular Press Sources (USA)

Fig.3: Framework for Environmental Heork for Environmental Health Risk Management


There are many views as to the way in which the public perceives the impact of biotechnology on their lives. There does not appear to be a consensus as to the acceptability of the use of this technology in any aspect of its use. This session will largely be used to discuss the issues, and why there are so many differences around the world.

The discussion will attempt to identify ways in which the public may be made more aware of the issues which are important in our perception of this new technology.

There are very few generalisations that may be made.

It is usually claimed that medical applications of biotechnology are more acceptable in general than those in agriculture, industry or food.

The perception of uses of biotechnology differs significantly in different countries

 

The two most useful (and least dangerous) applications are thought to be pharmaceutical production and genetic tests for detection of illness. The two least useful are the use of the technology in food and the introduction of human genes into animals for xenotransplantation. Very few were happy with the production of 'humanised' organs for xenotransplantation or the development of modified animals for health related research. These were not thought morally acceptable. Fewer than 25% of Europeans believe that current regulations are sufficient to protect people fre from the risks associated with modern biotechnology. The graph below is taken from the website referred to in footnote 2. The questions related to benefit to Society (usefulness), risks, moral acceptability and whether or not research and development should be encouraged.

Fig.1: Public Perceptions of Various Applications of Biotechnology

The questions asked which elicited the responses shown in the graph are detailed below, as their wording is important:

Table 1: Different Perceptions in Industrial and Developing Countries

Industrial Country

Developing Country

More food

More food to sell

Food to eat

Increased nutritional value

Balanced diets

Increase income

Decrease poverty

Industrial expansion

Industrial survival

Organic food even at higher cost

Use of chemicals to increase yield

Political advantage

Political freedom

 

Commonly Asked Questions

There are many questions which are asked by the public about biotechnology, and some of them are reproduced below:

A graph taken from the same source indicates the issues which appear most frequently in the United States press when discussing the impact of biotechnology.

Fig.2: I">Fig.2: Issues Covered Most Frequently in Popular Press Sources (USA)

 

Fig.3: Framework for Environmental Health Risk Management

Perceptions of risk are very complex. Risk associated with the food produced using biotechnology may be very small, but is perceived as much greater. An understanding of the perception of risk is needed. Many argue that the risk assessment should include the public reaction to the risk. A diagram that may be useful for this discussion has been produced in "Framework for Environmental Health Risk Management" produced in the US in 1997.

Conduct an evaluation of the action's results