GMW: GM food is dangerous say majority of Europeans

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GMW: GM food is dangerous say majority of Europeans

" GM WATCH " <info

Tue, 19 Jul 2005 20:19:17 +0100

 

 

 

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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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=HTM\

L & 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

 

 

 

 

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