Perceptions, attitudes and ethical valuations: the ambivalence of the public image of biotechnology in Spain

Abstract

This paper analyzes the study of the public perception of biotechnology, comparing different studies made on the European and the Spanish national levels. It aims at testing the applicability of these kinds of studies, and describes some of their limits. The analysis shows clear ambivalence in the public response to distinct applications of this technology, pointing out the crucial differences between general moral valuation and attitude towards specific products. Taking into account this difference appears fundamental for the design of future perception studies able to more accurately reflect public understanding.

Attitude and consumption of Bangladeshi professionals toward biotechnological products

“…3). Similar results were also obtained in China and Australia [22,23], and contradictory results were found in Spain [25]. It implies that Bangladeshi professionals have good knowledge and perception on biotech products, which lead to their higher attitudes towards biotechnology.…”

“…Sequentially, strongly agree and agree are categorized as agree, strongly disagree and disagree are categorized as disagree, and no opinion category remains unchanged in the response of the respondents. Moreover, participant's overall attitude towards biotech products was categorized into four categories by summation of all scores of the questions, which are unfavourable (< 20), neutral (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30), favourable (31-40) and highly favourable (> 40). Data show two nominal categories such as agree and disagree, which allows carrying out the Chi-square test compared to regression test.…”

Who is willing to pay for science? On the relationship between public perception of science and the attitude to public funding of science

“…This line of criticism questions the very concept of the perception of science. Its significance as well as its validity and usefulness are questioned in terms of providing an indicator of a given attitude towards scientific knowledge, its possible applications and its public funding (Allum et al, 2008;Bauer, 2002;Luján and Todt, 2000;Michael, 1992). Our paper will focus on the last issue.…”

Semántica social del riesgo: una aproximación cualitativa

“…Los más relevantes son críticos con el paradigma sociométrico y sus presupuestos del déficit de conocimiento (Luján y Todt, 2000;Espluga, 2004y Larrión, 2016. En términos de alternativas, cabe destacar las propuestas de Mairal (2003de Mairal ( y 2008 sobre la narrativización del riesgo y, sobre todo, los estudios de Espluga y colaboradores, fruto de investigaciones que combinan aproximaciones cualitativas (entrevistas, grupos de discusión) y cuantitativas (encuestas con cuestionario estandarizado) (Espluga y otros, 2014; Sola y otros, 2009).…”