50% believe big business runs science

One in two people in the UK believe that scientists are in the pockets of big business and that scientific research has become too commercialised, according to a survey by Mori and the Royal Society (UK).

The findings of the survey reveal the science-related issues currently causing concern to the public and some key areas where scientists, government and the media could do more to address those concerns.

The research reveals that the five major science-related issues currently causing public concern are:

• Biological weapons (74% of respondents);
• Global warming (70% of respondents);
• Genetic modification of food and animals (60% of respondents);
• BSE/CJB (55% of respondents); and
• Nuclear power (53% of respondents).

Sir Paul Nurse, chairman of the Royal Society's science in society initiative, commented: "Many of the issues still causing the greatest concern - GM, BSE and nuclear power - are those that scientists have acknowledged shook public confidence in science. Clearly much still needs to done to rebuild confidence and...bring government ministers, scientists, policy-makers and members of the public together to agree a way forward."

The Royal Society commissioned research also provides an insight into some potential solutions. Over half of respondents (55%) agreed that the funding of scientific research is becoming too commercialised; 53% said they would like more influence over the type of scientific research that is done and 47% disagreed with the statement 'the media present science in a responsible way'.

The survey asked 'thinking about the following issues relating to science, which of these, if any, are you particularly concerned about?' The results were:

The survey also asked 'how strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements about science?' The results were:

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