Perceptions of biotechnology risks in the European Union: Trusting ‘the public’ for science policy making

Abstract

Products obtained through techniques that genetically modify living organisms are widely extended in the medical, pharmaceutical and food industry. However, the usage of such techniques has led to widespread controversies in some European countries where it clashes with small public acceptance. Lack of knowledge also suggests that once people become aware of the possible effects on health or the environment that these risks pose this might cause conflicts in many countries. Moral concerns and lack of sufficient knowledge to understand both risks and benefits are typically the issues that policy makers fear. This paper empirically examines the acceptance of and perceptions of risks for biotech procedures using data from two public opinion surveys, developed in 1996 and 1999 respectively (Eurobarometer surveys 46.1 and 52.1). Additionally, we look at risk perception determinants.