Public opinion towards biotechnology

Compared with other European countries, Belgium ranks at the head of the European platoon concerning public attitudes towards medical, industrial and agri-food applications of biotechnology. 

Eurobarometer survey on biotechnology
The Eurobarometer survey on biotechnology and the life sciences is the fifth initiative of EC in just over ten years. The survey is based on a representative sample of 16.500 respondents, approximately 1.000 in each EU member state.

Level of support and opposition for six applications in 2002

	Genetic tests	Clone human cells	Enzymes	Xenotrans- plantation	GM Crops	GM Food
Spain	++	++	++	+	++	+
Portugal	++	++	+	+	+	+
Ireland	++	+	+	+	+	+
Belgium	++	+	+	+	+	-
Sweden	++	++	+	+	-	-
Denmark	++	+	+	+	-	-
UK	++	+	+	+	+	-
Finland	++	+	+	-	+	+
Luxembourg	++	++	+	+	-	--
Germany	+	+	+	+	+	-
Italy	++	++	+	+	-	-
Netherlands	+	+	+	+	+	-
France	++	+	-	+	-	--
Greece	++	+	+	-	-	--
Austria	+	+	+	-	-	-

++  Strong support  
+    Weak support
-     Weak opposition
--    Strong oppostion

Genetic testing: using genetic tests to detect inheritable diseases (e.g. mucoviscidosis)
Xenotransplantation: introducing human genes into animals to produce organs for human transplants
Genetically modified food: using modern biotechnology in the production of foods
Genetically modified crops: taking genes from plant species and transferring them into crop plants to increase resistance to insect pests
Genetically modified enzymes: using genetically modified organisms to produce enzymes as additives to soaps and detergents that are less damaging to the environment
Cloning human cells: cloning human cells or tissues to replace a patient's diseased cells that are not functioning properly

Source : Eurobarometer 58.0, 2003

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