Support continues for biotechnologies

Australians continue to strongly support biotechnologies that provide health and environmental benefits, but support for genetically modified (GM) foods has dropped slightly since 2007, a new survey has found.

The nationwide study of community attitudes towards biotechnologies - conducted biannually over the past 10 years - was released by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

Biotechnologies of key interest to the public include genetic modification (GM), cloning, stem cell research and using organisms to clean up pollution.

Dr Craig Cormick, from the Department’s National Enabling Technologies Strategy team said, “Of all the uses of biotechnology surveyed, the findings show that stem cell use remains the most accepted application, with the highest levels of perceived benefits (92%) and one of the lowest levels of perceived risk (24%).”

GM food remains among the least-supported biotechnologies, although the public perceives the benefits (70%) still outweigh the risks (48%).

Over the past four years support for GM foods rose from 64% in 2005 to 77% in 2007. In 2009-10 it was at 67%.

“It is actually getting harder to give a single figure for support or not for GM foods,” Dr Cormick said.

“While 67% say GM foods are acceptable, half of those opposed would change that position if there was long-term evidence of no harm being caused,”

“And 45% of those opposed to GM foods would change their position if labelling explained what ingredients had been modified and why.”

The study was conducted by independent company IPSOS Eureka Social Research Institute between December 2009 and June 2010.