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Discovery Channel Announces Results of Global Poll Revealing What People Really Think About Genetics


Only 8% of People Understand Genetic Science Very Well -  

But the Vast Majority Still Has Strong Opinions on Its Uses

Public Shares Optimism of the Promise; Still Wary of the Price

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The structure of DNA is arguably the most significant discovery of the 20th century -- paving the way for disease prediction and treatment, cloning, stem cell research and many other extraordinary advances for humans.  But what does the public really think -- and know -- about this science and its implications on our lives?

Discovery Channel specially commissioned the world's first global poll to assess attitudes about DNA and genetics around the world.  The results are presented in the upcoming film DNA: The Promise and The Price, premiering on Discovery Channel around the world on April 6th, and airing in the US on April 10th at 10:00 p.m. (ET).  The survey aimed to uncover what the average person knows about the impact of genetics on their lives, and how informed people are of the current progress.  Conducted in eight countries around the world (UK, Denmark, Poland, Mexico, Brazil, Taiwan, Turkey and the US), the survey reveals some surprising conclusions.

Level of understanding of genetic science:  

A very low number -- only 8% -- of those surveyed feel that they understand developments in genetic science very well.  However, our poll found that many people share the overwhelming optimism of scientists that genetics will decide the future of the human race.  Most support was found in Brazil, while the least was found in the UK and US.  But even in these two countries, 2 out of 5 people agreed.  Public opinion is overwhelmingly in agreement that new genetic developments will bring cures for most diseases -- with 8 in 10 people agreeing.

Although people like the idea of what genetic science can do to help them in their lives, they are still wary that "Human genetic research is tampering with nature and as such is potentially dangerous."  A majority of all surveyed nationalities agree with this, except for the Danes, some 52% of whom disagree.  The highest levels of agreement are among the British and Poles (65% in both countries agreeing, most of them strongly).

"Do you think that the rules and regulations governing genetic developments and research are lagging far behind the pace of developments, are not too far behind or are keeping pace?"

A great majority -- 62% of people overall -- say that rules and regulations are not keeping pace with the rate of developments.  70% of British respondents feel the rules are lagging behind, with 72% of Poles and 70% of Americans agreeing.  UK respondents demonstrate the greatest level of concern that governance is 'lagging far behind the pace of developments,' with almost half (46%) giving this response.  On the other hand, 48% of Mexicans and 45% of Brazilians are confident that the rules and regulations are keeping pace with developments.

Cloning:  

The issue of cloning received some of the strongest reactions from the respondents, with 8 in 10 people (83%) against cloning a family member if they died, most of them strongly opposed.  Opposition to this use of cloning is greatest in Denmark (97%), the UK (93%) and the US (88%).  Overall, 82% believe there will be, or has already been, a successfully cloned human.  Yet a majority of people (71%) are in favor of a government ban on human cloning.

Designer Babies and Stem Cell Research:  

There was little support for the idea of 'designer babies' -- where gene technology is used to satisfy a personal, cultural or aesthetic desire, with only 2 out of 10 people agreeing with the concept.  A majority (83%) feels that gene technology should only be used for purely medical conditions that threaten life or quality of life.

In the survey, 8 out of 10 people said that if there were a history of genetic disease in their family they would choose to be tested for it.  For a large majority (78%) confirmation of a genetic disease would cause them to consider never having children.


"Parents should have the right to screen out embryos that are found to be carrying an hereditary disease, so that only those free from the condition are allowed to be born."

Some three-quarters of Turks (80%), Poles (77%) and Taiwanese (73%) would welcome having the right to screen out embryos that are found to be carrying a hereditary disease.  Americans are least keen on parents being given this option, with only 42% of them agreeing and some 44% disagreeing, most of them strongly.  British respondents tend to agree with the statement (55% agree compared with 33% who disagree).

Yet just over half the respondents (52%) feel that research using human stem cells, extracted from embryos and resulting in their destruction, should be banned.  In Brazil and Turkey, 2 in 3 people believe it should be outlawed, and in the US, 2 in 5.  In the UK, half of those polled think it should be banned.  Opinions are clearly divided on this complex issue.

Gene Therapy:  

8 in 10 respondents said that if they were ill, they would be willing to receive gene therapy -- treatment that alters and replaces genes -- to potentially be cured.

"If you were being treated with an experimental treatment like gene therapy and you found out that people had died from the treatment, would you continue?"

When posed with this dilemma, knowledge of the potential danger and that people had died from the therapy, the Taiwanese would be most likely to persist with the treatment (39%), compared with only 14% of Danes and 16% of Britons and Americans.  Significant proportions of those interviewed in Mexico (60%) and Brazil (47%) would not continue to receive gene therapy.

Genetically Modified Food:  

A majority of those polled in all countries (58%) are unwilling to eat Genetically Modified (GM) food.  However, just over half the people (55%) in the countries surveyed feel it would be acceptable to send GM food to countries in need, where the population is starving.  Two-thirds (66%) support GM crop developments if they make medicine cheaper.

SOURCE  Discovery Channel  

CO:  Discovery Channel

ST:  Maryland

SU:  SVY VNR

www.prnewswire.com
 
03/31/2003 13:25 EST