Transcript ESCOP PowerPoint Presentation

ESCOP – ECOP
Biotech Survey 2002
Research Developed and Conducted by:
Thomas J. Hoban, Ph.D. - N.C. State University
Nicholas Kalaitzandonakes, Ph.D. - University of Missouri
Overview of Survey
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Role of Land Grant Universities
Strategic Assessment
Impacts of Biotechnology
Communication
Conclusions
2
1. Role of Land Grant Universities
3
Please rate each of the following biotechnology-related activities as to its importance for the Land Grant University system and how much each is needed.
Majority agrees that further research on biotechnology
impacts and policy support is very important for LGUs
Importance of LGU activities…
Research on biotechnology food safety & health risks
61
Research on environmental impacts of biotechnology
60
25
28
57
Provide scientific information to public policy makers
Research on social and economic impacts of biotechnology
Interpret research findings and identify problems
39
Interpret trends & anticipate consequences of biotechnology
38
Applied research (e.g. development of new crop varieties)
37
35
Develop and deliver training for Extension agents
34
35
Provide information to the public using mass media
33
Analyze and discuss the ethical implications of biotechnology
33
32
Develop Extension educational materials for consumers
31
36
Very important and needed right away
5
30
3
2
20
5 11
7
42
21
6 21
20
7 21
21
7 32
23
21
31
1
212
18
35
14
4
7 21
15
36
35
5 21
20
40
Help farmers understand the application of biotechnology
Develop & conduct training programs for government agencies
15
29
31
201
7 112
31
41
3 11
8
32
44
Basic research (e.g. genomics)
10
Not important and not needed
16
8
32
8
22
Not
surprisingly,
AgBio
scientists are
much more
likely to view
basic
research as
important,
while social
scientists are
much more
likely to view
social and
economic
impact
research as
important.
Extension
personnel
view
development
of extension
materials and
interpretation
of findings as
important.
6 2
NA
4
Role of Land Grant Universities
•
•
•
LGU faculty concur that the most urgent
biotechnology-related activities pertain to assessing
the risks of biotechnology - specifically health &
safety and environment impacts.
Six in ten faculty also say that providing scientific
information to policy-makers is very important.
Less than half concur on the importance of all other
activities, except within the discipline affected (e.g.
social scientists say social science is important,
agbio scientists say basic research is important).
5
2. Strategic Assessment
6
The Land Grant University system has certain strengths that could enable it to play an effective role in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated
with biotechnology. Please rate each of the following strengths in terms of how well it describes the LGU system.
LGUs' strength is in providing scientific expertise & knowledge
Strengths of LGU system…
Scientific expertise and knowledge base
61
Links to farm and commodity groups
37
Credibility with the public
Third party position for interaction with public
and private entities
3
39
2
1
24
26
Does not describe at all
31 5
7 12
21
37
22
4
20
44
29
6 102
17
35
29
Interdisciplinary orientation and multidisciplinary
expertise
5
37
35
Direct contact with public through extension programs
Describes very well
30
4 12
6 22
9 22
DK/NA
7
The Land Grant University system has certain weaknesses that could prevent it from playing an effective role in addressing the challenges and opportunities
associated with biotechnology. Please rate each of the following weaknesses in terms of how well it describes the LGU system.
Shrinking government funding is the biggest factor
preventing LGUs from fulfilling their role
Weaknesses of LGU system…
Shrinking government funding
56
Lack of flexibility in deployment of resources
25
Slow to act and resistant to change
23
26
36
34
Not market driven in its programs
15
Limited attention to social and ethical issues
15
25
32
Lack of coordination and cooperation
among Land Grant Universities
14
27
31
Limited ability to communicate with the lay public
7
Describes very well
30
22
5
3
2
11
31
28
11
21
16
6 2
19
18
30
1
4 21
25
30
27
4
11
Does not describe at all
7 1
6
5
14
1
DK/NA
8
The Land Grant University system faces certain opportunities associated with biotechnology. Please rate the importance of each of the following.
Provide expertise on various issues and stay
in the picture
Opportunities for LGU system…
Opportunities to apply multi- disciplinary expertise
42
Opportunity to remain relevant
40
42
Chance to provide relevant information
and real service to farmers
Chance to increase capability for dealing
with complex & controversial issues
Chance to access new sources of funding
37
38
36
34
32
Not important
5
13
4
3
14
18
3 12
32 3
5 22
36
22
5 12
40
20
4 32
2
1 Not important
DK/NA
9
The Land Grant University system faces certain threats associated with biotechnology. Please rate each of the following threats in terms of its severity.
Staying objective on the subject
Risks to LGU system…
May not be perceived as neutral on the topic
35
May face competition from other
groups to do the same work
33
24
Could cause negative reaction
from traditional clientele
11
May cause declines in traditional
funding sources
11
30
24
26
30
5
4
3
22
27
2
8
14
32
20
Very serious
18
1 Not serious
42
6 2
8 2
10
2
DK/NA
10
In the past few years, increasing attention has been focused on the links between research programs in land grant universities and industry. For each of the
following statements, indicate your agreement.
Increase cooperation between LGU system and private
industry, but proceed with caution
Emerging issues for LGU system…
Increased corporate sponsorship of land grant agricultural
research is necessary because public research funds are no
longer adequate
25
If linkages between public agricultural researchers and private
industry continue to increase, public research will have become
too oriented to the needs of industry
24
33
22
28
10 8 2
23
18
62
Linkages between public agricultural research institutions and
private companies should be strengthened
18
31
26
15
9 2
Increased university-industry linkages are essential in
developing new technologies to meet foreign competition
18
30
28
14
9 2
Private industry has too much influence on land-grant
biotechnology research
17
Increased linkages between public agricultural researchers and
private firms will enable more rapid transfer of new technology
to farmers
17
21
27
Universities should avoid becoming too involved in
biotechnology research with private companies
16
24
20
Linkages between public agricultural and private firms help
make agricultural research institutions more relevant to the
needs of farmers
Strongly agree
5
4
37
12
Neutral
35
3
2
25
12 7 2
23
11 2
23
26
1 Strongly disagree
15 1
16
9 2
DK/NA
11
Strategic Assessment
•
•
•
•
Six in ten faculty strongly agree that a key strength
of the LGU system is in providing scientific
expertise and a base of knowledge.
A majority see shrinking government funding as an
obstacle to LGUs addressing the challenges and
opportunities of biotechnology.
About four in ten faculty say that it is very important
for the LGU system: to provide expertise, pertinent
information and service - especially to farmers, and
to remain relevant.
The top faculty concern about the LGU system is
that it is not perceived as neutral: one third of
faculty say this is a very serious issue.
12
Strategic Assessment
• One quarter of the faculty strongly agree that
increased corporate sponsorship of agricultural
research in LGUs is necessary, but an equal number
worry that this will result in the research becoming
overly biased towards the needs of industry.
13
3. Views on the Impacts of
Biotechnology
14
There are a number of possible uses of modern biotechnology with different potential impacts. Rank the following potential benefits in terms of importance to
society.
Use biotechnology to protect the environment and
improve food safety and nutrition
Key benefits offered by biotechnology…
Reduces the need for chemical pesticides
52
Promotes environmental protection or sustainability
48
Enhances nutritional content of foods
35
24
Lowers the cost of food for consumers
20
Enhances nutritional quality of animal feed
19
9
Improves the taste of food
8
5
26
46
16
4 33
7 62
14
28
29
31
26
33
2
5 43
9 3
23
36
3
5 42
19
28
4
15
21
46
15
Lowers the cost of ingredients for food processors
Very important
41
28
Produces higher quality food ingredients
11 4 32
34
33
Lowers costs for farmers
9 322
32
40
Improves the safety of foods
Reduces the type or amount of fat in foods
31
1 Not important
5 42
11
8 2
17
10 3
20
11 2
DK/NA
15
How much benefit do you think each of the following groups will receive from the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production?
Biotechnology companies will benefit most from the
fruits of their labor
Who benefits MOST from biotechnology…
Biotechnology companies
71
Farmers in the US
25
Consumers in developing countries
24
23
Farmers in developing countries
23
24
Food processors or manufacturers
22
Land Grant Universities
37
9
Great benefit
19
21
22
32
5
12
3
2
13
2
10 2
24
6 12
37
4
5 2
19
30
36
302
18
45
18
Consumers in the US
23
1 No benefit
10
10
6 2
4 3
DK/NA
16
How important is each of the following concerns that have been raised about the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production?
Corporate control over agriculture is biggest concern
Concerns about agricultural biotechnology…
Increased corporate control over agriculture
38
26
17
11 5 2
Potential negative environmental impacts
31
25
Long term effects & impacts on future generations
30
25
19
15
9 3
Lack of labeling for consumer choice
28
26
22
12
10 2
Logistical and segregation problems in marketing
26
29
Potential food safety & health risks
25
24
20
16
25
18
62
11 6 3
21
9 3
Moral or ethical issues
20
21
26
18
13 2
Lack of benefits for consumers
19
21
26
17
13 3
Increased costs or prices of products developed
through biotechnology
Very important
15
5
25
4
29
3
2
20
1 Not important
9 3
DK/NA
17
For each of the following statements about the use of modern biotechnology in agriculture and food production, please indicate your agreement or disagreement.
Misunderstanding and lack of research funding are
biggest threats to biotechnology
Agricultural biotechnology issues (Part 1)…
Public concern over safety of agri-biotechnologies is out of proportion with actual
risks
38
Government should fund more biotechnology research because of potential benefit
to public
29
34
37
Biotechnology has already provided benefits to consumers
29
Benefits of using biotechnology to create food crops that do not require chemical
pesticides are greater than the risks
29
30
The social and economic impacts of biotechnology have been given too little
attention by most agricultural scientists
29
30
29
29
29
28
Large biotechnology corporations will gain too much control over farmers' inputs
through patenting
Regulation of biotechnology should be based solely on the best available science
rather than on consumer demands
If American companies are not allowed to develop biotechnologies other countries
will do so and gain competitive advantage
Patenting is essential if biotechnology companies are to bring new technologies to
the American farmer
12
Best future for American agriculture lies in the rapid development of biotechnology
11
Most consumers will buy foods produced with biotechnology if they are more
nutritious
We have to accept some degree of risk from biotechnology if it enhances the
economic competitiveness of our country
10
Current federal regulations on biotechnology are excessive and will stifle innovation
Strongly agree
5
3 5
2
4
20
14
5 2
22
13
4 3
17
14
16
29
25
30
9
2
12
2
6 2
14
2
2
34
25
56
34
3
2
16
22
2
35
2
1 Strongly disagree
2
5 3
18
29
17
9
14
34
9
Neutral
8 2
24
37
8
9
23
25
10
6 2
16
22
29
6
11
21
34
8
Until we know more, biotechnology should not be used because of unpredictable,
potential risks
Advances in biotechnology will NOT be very important for the future of US
agriculture
20
7 3
6 32
17
34
14
12
18
35
22
Current regulations are not sufficient to protect people from the risks linked to
biotechnology
13
18
DK/NA
2
18
Impacts of Biotechnology
•
•
•
•
Environmental protection, including reducing reliance on
agricultural chemicals and promoting sustainability are viewed
as the most important benefits of agricultural biotechnology.
Reducing the cost of food ingredients and improving the taste of
food are least likely to be seen as important benefits.
Biotechnology companies are seen as benefiting the most from
the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production,
while LGU’s are least likely to be viewed as benefiting.
Increased corporate control over agriculture is the greatest
concern related to agricultural biotechnology.
19
Impacts of Biotechnology
•
•
Moral or ethical concerns, increases in prices and lack of
benefits for consumers are at the bottom of the list of concerns.
More than one third of LGU faculty strongly agree that public
safety concerns about agricultural biotechnology are overinflated, and that more government funding for research in this
field is needed.
20
4. Communication
21
How important would it be for consumers to receive more information about each of the following topics.
Consumers need to understand effects of biotechnology on
food safety & nutrition, and the environment
Consumers need more information on…
The effects of biotechnology on food safety or nutrition
66
61
The effects of biotechnology on the environment
30
43
The effects of biotechnology on food quality (including taste)
36
34
The effects of biotechnology on food costs
The science behind biotechnology
26
5 102
5 112
13 412
35
19
7 32
32
31
23
9 32
Social and economic implications of biotechnology
30
35
23
9 22
Ethical and moral issues associated with biotechnology
29
Government policies and regulations regarding food
biotechnology
Very important
28
24
5
4
3
24
11 5 3
37
27
2
1 Not important
8 22
DK/NA
22
How useful would each of the following be for providing consumers with additional information about agricultural biotechnology?
Best way to reach consumers is through television
news broadcasts and the Internet
Best way to reach consumers…
40
Television News broadcasts
34
27
The Internet
News magazines (such as Time or Newsweek)
23
Conversations with other people (such as family or friends)
23
Daily Newspapers
22
Fact sheets or newsletters
11
Meetings or conferences sponsored by the Extension Service
11
Very useful
12
39
44
29
25
22
32
5
4
7 23
23
6 23
3
12
24
32
2
5 3
22
27
43
8
22
24
1 Not at all useful
5 5
6 23
7 3
9
DK/NA
3
23
How would you describe the overall tone of media reports about modern biotechnology in your state?
Media is perceived as neutral on biotechnology
3
22
45
24
0%
42
100%
5 Very positive
4
3
2
1 Very negative
No Answer
24
Suppose you were asked to give a presentation about agricultural biotechnology. How comfortable would you be with the subject matter?
Over half of participants are at least somewhat
comfortable giving a presentation on biotechnology
18
33
23
15
0%
9
100%
5 Completely comfortable
4
3
2
1 Not at all comfortable
25
Overall, would you say you strongly support, support, oppose, or strongly oppose the use of biotechnology in agriculture and food production?
Over 70 percent of participants support the use of
biotechnology in agriculture and food production
38
33
18
0%
6 32
100%
5 Strongly support
4
3
2
1 Strongly Oppose
No Answer
26
Communication
• More than six in ten LGU faculty say that consumers
should be given more information on the positive
effects of biotechnology on food safety & nutrition,
and the environment.
• Television news, followed by the Internet are most
likely to be viewed as a useful medium for
communicating the benefits of agricultural
biotechnology to consumers.
• The majority of faculty say that media stories about
biotechnology are neutral in tone, while nearly one
quarter say that the tone of these stories is either
somewhat positive or somewhat negative.
27
Communication
• If asked to give a presentation on agricultural
biotechnology, more than half of LGU faculty would
be somewhat or completely comfortable with the
subject matter.
• Overall, seven in ten faculty members support or
strongly support the use of biotechnology in
agriculture and food production.
28
Conclusions
•
•
•
LGU faculty concur that the main role of the LGU system is
assessing the risks of agricultural biotechnology and providing
scientific information to policy makers.
Faculty agree that the main strength that the LGU system can
use to meet the challenges and opportunities associated with
biotechnology is in the role of providing scientific expertise and
knowledge. However, a lack of government funding hampers its
efforts to effectively fulfill this role.
There is a general consensus that funding shortfalls could be
overcome by increased corporate sponsorship of LGU research
programs, but that this could result in research agendas being
tailored too much to the needs of industry.
29