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Drivers of Public Attitudes
Dr Craig Cormick
Science and technology
creates more problems
than they solve
People shouldn’t tamper
with nature
Disagree strongly Agree strongly
Ask yourselves first…
We are living in an era of
rapid change
Alternate truths
and contested
facts
Anti-science
beliefs growingDiminishing
trust in
institutions
Diffuse media
Polarised views
and values
4
What do we know about attitudes to Gene Editing?
Awareness of terminology and understanding (OGTR 2017)
%
Q4a. For the following list of technologies could you please say whether… you have not heard of it, OR you have heard of it but know very little about or
nothing about it, OR you know enough about it that you could explain it to a friend
Base: Total sample n=1255
Q4a. For the following list of technologies could you please say whether… you have not heard of it, OR you have heard of it but know very little about or
nothing about it, OR you know enough about it that you could explain it to a friend
Base: Total sample n=1255
There has been a general diminution of awareness of many biotechnologies.
Synthetic biology and gene editing, have very high Have NOT heard of it responses.
5
Definitions providedin the survey to respondents
Term Definition provided in survey
Genetic modification or GM
Genetic modification or GM is using laboratory techniques to basically, “cut and paste” a gene from one living thing to another, or
modifying or removing a gene within an organism. Something that has been modified by GM can be called a genetically modified
organism (GMO).
Gene EditingGene editing also known as genome editing, is a laboratory technique to make small, targeted changes to the genes of an organism.
It does not involve the transfer of a gene from one living thing to another.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a broader term that covers the application of the science of living things, and is used widely in agriculture, beer and
wine production, food processing and medical treatments. Biotechnology sometimes uses genetic modification, but also includes
processes that do not involve the use of genes.
Cloning of animals
Cloning of animals another form of assisted reproduction in animal husbandry which allows livestock breeders to create an exact
genetic copy of superior breeding animals to produce essentially an identical twin for the purpose of healthier offspring. Cloning
does not manipulate the animal’s genetic make-up nor change an animal’s DNA.
Synthetic biotechnologySynthetic biology is a new form of biotechnology, where the principles of engineering are used to build new biological structures
that might not otherwise have existed, such as creating new organisms to use in medicines or to clean up oil spills.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale (nanoscale – which is about 1 to
100 nanometres) to take advantage of enhanced properties such as higher strength, lighter weight, increased control of light
spectrum, and greater chemical reactivity.
Q4b. Throughout this survey, the terms ‘genetic modification’ or ‘GM’ will be used, as well as ‘biotechnology’, ‘cloning of animals’, ‘synthetic
biotechnology’ and ‘nanotechnology’. To assist you the definitions of these terms are below and are provided through the survey by hovering over
the applicable word of link at the bottom of each screen
Q4b. Throughout this survey, the terms ‘genetic modification’ or ‘GM’ will be used, as well as ‘biotechnology’, ‘cloning of animals’, ‘synthetic
biotechnology’ and ‘nanotechnology’. To assist you the definitions of these terms are below and are provided through the survey by hovering over
the applicable word of link at the bottom of each screen
6
What do we know about attitudes to Gene Editing?Perceptions on whether GM technologies will improve our way of life or not (OGTR 2017)
%
Q4c. Do you think these technologies will generally… improve our way of life in the future, OR have no effect, OR make things worse in the future?
Base: Total sample n=1255
Q4c. Do you think these technologies will generally… improve our way of life in the future, OR have no effect, OR make things worse in the future?
Base: Total sample n=1255
After a positive definition, or a definition by positive application – support for
unknown technologies rated very highly
51
53
60
33
33
25
24
19
25
34
13
13
13
33
24
11
11
10
9
11
0 20 40 60 80 100
For other uses (such as modifying
microbes to clean up the environment)
For industrial uses (such as to make
biofuels or plastic replacements from …
For medical uses (such as producing
insulin or vaccines)
For use in foods and crops
Generally
10 -7 out of 10 6 - 4 out of 10 3 - 0 out of 10 Can't say / Don't know
Q5. For the following statements, on a scale of 0-10, please indicate if you are in support or against the following uses of genetic
modification, or gene technology, where 10 is completely supportive and 0 is completely against it. If you can’t say or don’t know,
please select ‘don’t know’. How would you rate your level of support for the use of GM or genetic modification…? Please choose one
on each row...
Base: Total sample n=1160
Q5. For the following statements, on a scale of 0-10, please indicate if you are in support or against the following uses of genetic
modification, or gene technology, where 10 is completely supportive and 0 is completely against it. If you can’t say or don’t know,
please select ‘don’t know’. How would you rate your level of support for the use of GM or genetic modification…? Please choose one
on each row...
Base: Total sample n=1160
Mean
7.06
5.33
6.71
6.70
4.84
%
Three key things to know: #1
Key learning: There can be very different attitudes depending
on the application and its outcome.
Confidence in food and the Support of the use of gene technology in food and crops
8
Opposed In favour
Mean 5.4
Q5. For use in foods and crops - For the following statements, on a scale of 0-10, please indicate if you are in support or against the following uses of
genetic modification, or gene technology, where 10 is completely supportive and 0 is completely against
Base: Total sample n=1255
Q5. For use in foods and crops - For the following statements, on a scale of 0-10, please indicate if you are in support or against the following uses of
genetic modification, or gene technology, where 10 is completely supportive and 0 is completely against
Base: Total sample n=1255
Three key things to know: #2
Don’t confuse Penguins for Polar Bears
Three key things to know: #3
9
Opposed In favourQ5. For use in foods and crops - For the following statements, on a scale of 0-10, please indicate if you are in support or against the following uses of
genetic modification, or gene technology, where 10 is completely supportive and 0 is completely against
Base: Total sample n=1255
Q5. For use in foods and crops - For the following statements, on a scale of 0-10, please indicate if you are in support or against the following uses of
genetic modification, or gene technology, where 10 is completely supportive and 0 is completely against
Base: Total sample n=1255
Safe way to
produce food
13%
Only if regulated
50%No until proven
safe 24%Never safe
13%
NONO HOWEVER
YES BUT
YES
The bulk of the public are Yes Buts and No Howevers
10
Awareness of terminologyand understanding (OGTR 2017)
%
Q4a. For the following list of technologies could you please say whether… you have not heard of it, OR you have heard of it but know very little about or
nothing about it, OR you know enough about it that you could explain it to a friend
Base: Total sample n=1255
Q4a. For the following list of technologies could you please say whether… you have not heard of it, OR you have heard of it but know very little about or
nothing about it, OR you know enough about it that you could explain it to a friend
Base: Total sample n=1255
So how are people forming strong
opinions when their awareness is
so low?
[Dr. Andrew Binder, at North Carolina State University ]
• Most people, when faced with an issue related to science and
technology, adopt an initial position of support or
opposition, based on a variety of mental shortcuts and
predisposed beliefs rather than scientific evidence.
Eg: Climate change denial and anthropocentricism,
Anti GM foods and natural values.
Anti-embryonic stem cells and right to life.
Value driven attitude
formation
Understanding how values drive attitudes helps explain how:
Having pro-development values can lead to you saying respect the
science on GM foods, but the science on climate change is
dubious,
yet
Having pro-environment values can lead to you saying respect the
science on climate change, but the science on GM foods is
dubious.
Value driven attitude
formation
Understanding the different segments of the population
…or the different ways that people think – by attitude and by values.
2
9
30
13
35
48
54
17
35
27
48
35
29
31
81
56
43
40
30
22
14
8.1
6.7
5.5
5.9
4.8
3.9
3.6
3
10
7
42
37
33
17
Science is such a big part of our lives that we should all
take an interest
New technologies excite me more than they concern me
Technological change happens too fast for me to keep up
with it
The benefits of science are greater than any harmful
effect
Scientific advances tend to benefit the rich more than
they benefit the poor
We depend too much on science and not enough on
faith
Science and technology creates more problems than it
solves
%
0-3 out of 10 4-6 out of 10 7-10 out of 10
Average
out of 10
Don't
know /
can't say,
n=
Understanding VALUES towards S&T
Science is such a big part of our lives that we should all take an interest.
New technologies excite me more than they concern me.
Technological change happens too fast for me to keep up with.
The benefits of science is greater than any harmful effect.
Scientific advances tend to benefit the rich more than they benefit the poor.
We depend too much on science and not enough on faith.
Science and technology creates more problems than
it solves.
Disagree Agree
3
6
7
6
21
26
34
7
11
20
22
27
40
43
90
83
73
72
52
34
23
8.8
8.4
7.6
7.6
6.5
5.4
4.5
2
19
62
18
14
24
28
Human activities have a significant impact on the planet
Not vaccinating children puts others at risk
I believe that everything in the world is connected
We should use more natural ways of farming
Children must be protected from all risks
People shouldn’t tamper with nature
People have the right to modify the natural environment
to suit their needs
%
0-3 out of 10 4-6 out of 10 7-10 out of 10
Average
out of 10
Don't know /
can't say
n=
Human activities have a significant impact on the planet
Not vaccinating children puts others at risk
I believe that everything in the world is connected
We should use more natural ways of farming
Children must be protected from all risks
People shouldn't tamper with nature
People have the right to modify the natural environment to suit their needs
Values towards the world around us
Disagree Agree
Values segmentation profiles
Concerned- Low Awareness and
high concerns
- Conservative
- “the pace of
technological change
is too fast”
Risk Averse- High awareness but
high risk concerns
- S&T can be
dangerous and risky
Science fans
- Mostly male.
- -High support for all
S&T
- “Everyone should all
take an interest in
science’
Cautiously keen- Belief that benefits of
science outweigh risks,
- but: “children should
be protected from all
risks”
4 32
1
Q: Hands up for each segment
NO
NO HOWEVERYES BUT
YES
Understanding values segment divides
Disagree strongly Agree strongly
Values
New technologies excite me more than
they concern me
Science and technology creates more
problems than it solves
People shouldn’t tamper with nature
Technological change happens too fast for
me to keep up with
We depend too much on science and not
enough on faith
Segment 4 are outliers – further from the average point of the public than any other
segment. It also means the not only do the other segments have small chance to
understand Segment 4, but Segment 4 have small chance to understand other
segments well.
Support or rejection of Gene Editing?
Gene Editing
Values segmentation profiles
Concerned- Low Awareness and
high concerns
- Conservative
- “the pace of
technological change
is too fast”
Risk Averse- High awareness but
high risk concerns
- S&T can be
dangerous and risky
Science fans
- Mostly male.
- -High support for all
S&T
- “Everyone should all
take an interest in
science’
Cautiously keen- Belief that benefits of
science outweigh risks,
- but: “children should
be protected from all
risks”
4 32
1
NO
NO HOWEVERYES BUT
YES
Values segmentation profiles
NO
HOWEVER
YES
BUTRegulation
The Science
Benefits
Environment Public good
No proven
harm The Buts and Howevers are where it will all play out
Planting the flagpole of public debate
Get in first,
make an impact
and hold that
ground!
Who ever first successfully plants the ‘flagpole’ of public debate (framing the debate) defines where the public debate will be centred. NGOs, interest groups, industry and researchers all compete for this.
So what can you do?Don’t debate the science, look for the values that
underline your audiences decisions and debate on
values! If possible frame messages that
align with those values!
Confront emotive defences with
emotive arguments!
Talk about the outcomes of the research, not the processes
Use spokespeople your target audience trust!
Use pictures and graphs
over text explanations.
Any questions?
