1.Majority of Europeans agree GM food is dangerous/Few are techno-utopians (GM Watch comment)
2.Europeans support more money for EU research (EU press release)
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1. Majority of Europeans agree GM food is dangerous/Few are techno-utopians
The press release below from the European Commission reports on two just-published Eurobarometer surveys that show a very positive attitude in European countries towards science and technology. However, as the press release also notes, "some critical messages also come out of the surveys."
This is supported by a careful look at the survey - 'Europeans, Science and Technology'.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_224_report_en.pdf
The results of this study show a majority of Europeans (54%) agree that "food made from genetically modified organisms is dangerous". Still more worryingly for pro-GM lobbyists, across the 32 European countries surveyed just 14% on average disagree that GM food is dangerous.
Opinion in the UK is often portrayed as amongst the most hostile to GM foods worldwide. Interestingly, however, the UK public emerges in this survey as quite moderate in its scepticism. In fact, the citizens of 26 other European countries emerge as even more sceptical than the British. In fact, in 13 of the countries the percentage disagreeing that GM food is dangerous actually drops into single figures (ie under 10%). In 2 of the countries just 4% of their citizens think GM food is not dangerous.
Here are some other interesting findings about European attitudes to science and technology:
A clear majority of Europeans in the European Union (57%) agree that science and technology are responsible for most of the environmental problems the world is facing today: 57% agree, 20% disagree, 19% neither agree nor disagree, and 10% don't know.
The survey also appears to show that science and technology utopianism is not particularly prevalent among the European public. When asked about the statement, "Science and Technology can sort out any problem", the researchers report:
"Few Europeans put hope into science and technology for sorting out any kind of problem. Only 21% at the EU average indicate that they agree with this statement, while a clear majority (58%) shows disagreement to this statement. People in Sweden and the Netherlands are the most sceptical towards this idea, with respectively 84% and 81% disagreeing that science and technology can sort out any problem."
Similarly, when asked about the statement, "Thanks to scientific and technological advances, the Earth's natural resources will be inexhaustible", most Europeans disagreed.
There was also significant scepticism about the statement, "Science and technology will help eliminate poverty and hunger around the world".
The researchers report that in only three countries did a majority of citizens agree with this statement. "Considerable rates of disagreement can be observed among citizens in Finland (66%),
Slovenia (64%) and France (63%). Sweden (51%) and Norway (50%) also have a majority of citizens disagreeing with this statement." The EU avaerage for those disagreeing with the statement was 37%, with 39% agreeing, and 21% neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
More details here: http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_224_report_en.pdf
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2.Europeans support more money for EU research
EU Press Release
Brussels, 13 June 2005
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/718&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
According to two Eurobarometer reports published today, 71% of EU citizens agree that collaborative research at EU level is growing in importance and 59% consider that the EU should spend more money on scientific research. 64% of Europeans agree that our economy can become more competitive only by applying the most advanced technologies. The same proportion acknowledges the role science and technology play today in industrial development. The survey supports the perception that US is more advanced that Europe in research, with only 12% of those questioned thinking that Europe is ahead of the US.
Research at EU level is widely seen as creative and effective, and a large majority consider that European countries should cooperate more with each other. Europeans expect more investment in scientific research, both at national and at EU level, a more intensive collaboration between researchers in Europe, and more coordination between the Member States, in which the EU must play a key role. Regarding science and technology decision-making, 73% of EU citizens want politicians to rely more on the advice of expert scientists.
The reports present and analyse the data from two public opinion surveys carried out for the first time in 32 European countries[1] earlier this year. They show that Europeans put great trust in science and technology. For example, 87% agree that science and technology have improved their quality of life and 77% believe they will continue to do so for future generations.
Differences between countries can be noted with a general tendency towards more optimism in the new Member States. Compared to previous surveys, interest in science and technology has decreased in some countries but does remain high (78% of citizens). The most spectacular evolution concerns scientific knowledge, which has markedly increased in most EU countries over the last few years.
Some critical messages also come out of the surveys:
Europeans tend to resist some technologies. For example, 54% of Europeans consider that food made from genetically modified organisms is dangerous (88% and 80% in Cyprus and Greece, respectively)
Although there is an overwhelming recognition of what science and technology have done for society until now, people see also negative impacts, e.g. on environment and employment. A majority of people believe that computer technologies eliminate more jobs than they create.
There is still a comprehension gap between science and society. Europeans feel badly informed and not very involved in science and technology issues. Efforts still need to be made to bring science and technology closer to people and foster communication between scientists and the public.
This duality is also valid for the image Europeans have of scientists: people recognise the positive role scientists play in society but there is also some criticism of the way scientists' explain their achievements and handle information towards the public.
To read the full studies:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/public_opinion