What the public thinks about biotech By Dorothy C. Wertz, PhD Surveys are useful in gauging public optimism or pessimism about biotechnology, identifying sources of concern, and pointing to differences of opinion among stakeholder groups. Most surveys have shown that people, especially in the United States, are generally optimistic about biotechnology and believe that benefits outweigh risks.
Majorities support genetic research, testing and gene therapy, including germline gene therapy.
A series of large-scale surveys of portions of the Japanese public by D. R. J. Macer also looks at global attitudes, but response rates were about 24 percent, well below standards of acceptability in the West, although Macer claims it is average for Japan. In the United States, fears center on possible misuses of information by insurers and employers. There appear to be some substantial differences among views of professionals, patients and the public. The views of minority ethnic groups on issues specific to biotechnology remain largely unknown. In some areas of ethical concern, such as views on research uses of biological samples, potentially useful surveys are still lacking.