RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

Swedes in favor of genetic engineering but against spread of genetic information

August 26, 2003

Swedes are becoming more and more favorably inclined toward genetic engineering. Two out of three Swedes now accept genetic engineering. This makes Swedes the people with the most favorable views in the EU. This has been demonstrated in a European research project in which three researchers from Mid Sweden University have participated, based on interviews with 1,000 Swedes regarding their views on genetic engineering.

"On the other hand, Swedes are the first among EU citizens to protest the right of social insurance offices and insurance companies to gain access to the genetic make-up of individuals," says Susanna Ã-hman, head of the Office for Education and Research at Mid Sweden University.

Within the framework of a major European study, researchers Susanna Ã-hman, Anna Olofsson, and Björn Fj'�stad at Mid Sweden University have carried out an interview survey with Swedes about their views on genetic engineering. The interviews were done in 1996, 1999, and now, most recently, 2002. "The attitude in Sweden has become steadily more favorable to genetic engineering," says Anna Olofsson, researcher at Mid Sweden University.

The most positive attitudes among Swedes regard genetic testing to discover hereditary diseases and cloning of stem cells to replace sick cells in patients with Parkinson's disease or diabetes, for example.

Genetically modified foods are the only application that Swedes reject outright. Yet at the same time, if GM food turned out to contain less pesticide than other food, half of those interviewed would consider buying the product.

Those who are most critical of genetic engineering are younger, well-educated women who live in cities, are knowledgeable about genetic engineering, and have left-of-center political views. These individuals see genetic engineering as an environmental problem.

There is also a large critical group of poorly educated middle-aged and elderly men and women, not seldom religious, living in small towns. They have conservative values and see genetic engineering as a violation of the order of nature.

In Sweden, and Denmark as well, 93 percent of the population is against allowing social insurance offices and insurance companies to access the genetic information of citizens. This can be compared with the figures for Spain, Portugal, and Greece, where a fourth of the citizens think that insurance companies should be privy to such information.

Only in Sweden and Austria do a majority of citizens say that doctors should not have access to genetic information.

"Not even in criminal cases is there a majority in Sweden that thinks the police should be allowed to take genetic fingerprints," concludes Björn Fj'�stad, adjunct professor of research communication at Mid Sweden University.

On October 2-3, 2003, a symposium will be held at Mid Sweden University, Campus Ã-stersund, under the title of "Genetic Engineering, the Public, and Society." This symposium, with the participation of researchers from Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, aims to elucidate the latest developments in Swedish and European research on the status of genetic engineering in society.

VetenskapsrÃ�det (The Swedish Research Council)

Science Research Departments

	Scientific Explorer's Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists by Scientific Explorer Mind blowing experiments to delight and educate young scientists! Erupt a color changing volcano. Mix up magic ooze with a mind of its own. Play with sand that never gets wet. Mix safe chemicals and watch colors change before your eyes. You'll amaze yourself and your friends as you explore the science behind these truly remarkable reactions.
	The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series) by Tom Robinson (Author) Science has never been so easy - or so much fun! With The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book, all you need to do is gather a few household items and you can recreate dozens of mind-blowing, kid-tested science experiments. High school science teach Tom Robinson shows you how to expand your scientific horizons - from biology to chemistry to physics to outer space. You'll discover answers to questions like: Is it possible to blow up a balloon without actually blowing into it? What is inside coins? Can a magnet ever be "turned off"? Do toilets always flush in the same direction? Can a swimming pool be cleaned with just the breath of one person? Get ready to enter the laboratory and learn how to conduct cool experiments, understand scientific terms...
	Scientific Explorer's Disgusting Science - A Kit for Studying the Science of Revolting Things by Scientific Explorer Grow your own friendly germs and fuzzy molds. Mix up a batch of coagulating fake blood. Even make a stinky intestine. learn the science behind unmentionable bodily functions while doing some truly NASTY Experiments. Ages 8+
	The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works (National Geographic) by National Geographic (Author), Marshall Brain (Foreword) A delight for the casual reader, yet so complete and wide-ranging that science buffs and students will welcome it, The Science Book encapsulates centuries of scientific thought in one richly illustrated volume. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, and the most up-to-date investigations are explained in detailed text, and 2,000 vivid illustrationsincluding 3-D graphics and pictogramsmake the information even more accessible and amazing to discover. The Science Book offers both a general overview of topics for the browsing reader and more specific information for those seeking deeper insight into a particular subject. Six major sections, ranging from the universe and planet Earth to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, encompass everything from microscopic life...
	Scientific Explorer's The Magic Science Wizard's Kit by Scientific Explorer Cast real smoke from your fingertips, make a wizard wand, and whip up color-changing potions in your test tube laboratory. Also included are laminated cards with wizard facts, an instruction booklet with 11 activities, lab equipment, and mysterious wizard powders that will mix together to mystify you!
	Scientific Explorer's Tasty Science Chemistry in the Kitchen Kit by Scientific Explorer Who knew science could taste so good? With this kit, you’ll whip up cupcakes, cookies, candy, and more—all in the name of science! Learn what makes cakes rise, candy crystallize, and more real chemistry happen in the kitchen. Tasty Science is packed with ingredients, recipes, activity cards, a test tube laboratory, and lots more to explore the science of taste.
	The Complete Book of Science, Grades 5-6 by School Specialty Publishing (Author) The Complete Book of Science for grades 5 to 6 teaches children important science skills! Children complete a variety of exercises that help them develop a number of skills in this 352 page workbook. Including a complete answer key this workbook features a user-friendly format perfect for browsing, research, and review. Over 4 million in print! The best-selling Complete Book series offers a full complement of instruction, activities, and information about a single topic or subject area. Containing over 30 titles and encompassing preschool to grade 8 this series helps children succeed in every subject area! ...
	Magic School Bus Journey into the Human Body Science Kit by Young Scientist Club The Magic School Bus and Ms. Frizzle take Young Scientists on a wild ride into the human body with these breathtaking experiments. Young Scientists bend bones, make joints, map taste buds, expand lungs, build a stethoscope, measure lung capacities and heart rates, perform the iodine starch test, spin glitter, simulate synovial fluid, create a human body poster, and much, much more! This exciting kit includes a life-size poster with eight sheets of body part stickers. So put on your seat belts, students, and get ready to discover The Human Body!
	Scientific Explorer's Glow in the Dark Fun Lab Science Kit by Scientific Explorer You will love setting up your own Glow in the Dark Fun Lab. Create a light wand, make your own glow stick, and even generate a human-powered light.
	What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2) by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld (Author), Paul Meisel (Author) Did you ever walk through a wall? Drink a glass of blocks? Have you ever played with a lemonade doll, or put on milk for socks? This latest addition to the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series introduces the youngest readers to an important science concept: the differences between solids, liquids, and gases. Any child who wants to know why he can't walk through a wall will enjoy Kathleen Zoehfeld's simple text and Paul Meisel's playful illustrations.