Gaskell, G.; Stares, S.; Allansdottir, A.; Kronberger, N.; Hampel, J. et al. [..] (2010) Europeans and Biotechnology in 2010: Winds of Change? A report to the European Comission´s Directorate-General for Research on the Eurobarometer 73.1 on Biotechnology; FP7 project 'Sensitive Technologies and European Public Ethics' [STEPE]. London School of Economics: London.
The latest Eurobarometer survey on the Life Sciences and Biotechnology, based on representative samples from 32 European countries and conducted in February 2010, points to a new era in the relations between science and society. While entrenched views about GM food are still evident, the crisis of confidence in technology and regulation that characterised the 1990s – a result of BSE, contaminated blood and other perceived regulatory failures – is no longer the dominant perspective. In 2010 we see a greater focus on technologies themselves: are they safe? Are they useful? And are there 'technolite' alternatives with more acceptable ethical-moral implications? Europeans are also increasingly concerned about energy and sustainability. There is no rejection of the impetus towards innovation: Europeans are in favour of appropriate regulation to balance the market, and wish to be involved in decisions about new technologies when social values are at stake.
Publication type:
project report
Publication language:
English
Publication date:
2010-10
Publication URL:
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_winds_en.pdf
Institute:
Institute of Technology Assessment (ITA)
Country:
Austria
Project:
Sensitive Technologies and European Public Ethics (ITA)

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