how do students perceive about biotechnology and ethics?

How do students perceive about biotechnology and ethics?

SURJIT SINGHNISTADS (CSIR), [email protected]

2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009

Minimum science and technology package for everyone

(NCSTC, Department of Science and Technology)

Taking Science to the public(A campaign for taking science to the public, 1987)


Two big questions??

What is minimum?Who is everyone?


Survey Studies on public understanding of scienceKumbh Mela studies(1989,1995,2001,2007)Manglopuri, DelhiRONAST, NepalSurvey on plague. health and hygienePerception towards educationUnderstanding and attitude towards HIV/AIDSChildren perception on media channels Survey on potters


General conclusions:Public is not blankDifferent knowledge systems (Public and Science)Education important determinant but not the only

one to determine understandingGender differenceFemales have higher understanding of health and

hygiene aspects (except for HIV/AIDS)Media impact


Determinants of PUSComplexity of phenomenon(fact, process, theory)Effect on human beingProtective measuresTime period

AgeEducation GenderOccupationSources of information


Models of PUS

Deficit Model v/sCultural model


Present StudyQuestionnaire based survey among students in

degree colleges covering two universities namely, Delhi University and Kurukshetra University

Questionnaire was divided into two main sections:

Biotechnology and CloningStudents from Bio-sciences studying

biotechnology as one of the subjectsA seminar on PUS and distribution of

questionnaires and collection of filled in questionnaires


Objectives of the studyTo understand the public’s (college students)

understanding, perception, attitudes about the issues covered in the study

How do students react to issue of ethics in science?

How do students react on material for biotechnological experimentation

Students’ response to involvement of people in decision making

To analyse difference in students understanding, perception, attitude for two universities

Gender difference about the issues


Some analysis


In your opinion, what are the three best-suited technologies/ biotechnological techniques for the future of the country?

Question


No. of responses PercentageNo response 26.4One response 19.0Two responses 36.2Three responses 18.4


1 DNA Fingerprinting 28.6 2 Genetic Engg 26.43 Tissue culture 21.7 4 Recombinant DNA

17.25 PCR 9.2 6 Stem Cell Therapy 8.07 ELISA 6.9 8 Somatic Hybridisation

6.89 Microbiology 4.5 10 Transgenic crop 3.411 Others (cloning, Electrophoresis, Vaccination, Southern blot,

nanotechnology, IVF technology etc.) 9.22nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009

GenderNo of Responses

no 1 2 3

Male 52.0 20.0 16.012.0

Female16.1 18.5 44.4 21.0


Question

Should there be any place of ethics in science?



34.5

11.9

52.4

1.2

Should there be any place of ethics in science?

YesNoTo some extentTo full extent

Institutions

no response yes no some full

DU 2.0 44.9 8.2 42.9 2.0KUK 5.3 18.4 15.8 60.5 ---


Question

Biotechnological experiments should be carried out on plants, animals or both.


ResponsesNo response 4.6

Plants only 16.1

Animals only 1.1

Both, plants and animals 78.2


QuestionWho should be involved in any public debate and the final decision-making processes regarding use of biotechnology?


People

MyselfPoliticiansReligiousEthicalScientists

Per

cent

100

80

60

40

20

0

Agree

Not sure

disagree

18

70

58

15

8109

20

66

12

25

59

92


Agree Not sure Disagree

12 13 14 12 13 14 12 13 14

Scientists

71.4 93.3 96.6 14.3 --- 1.7 --- 6.7 ---

Politicians

28.6 13.3 6.9 21.4 --- 10.3 35.7 73.3 77.6

Ethical 50.0 53.3 62.1 21.4 6.7 22.4 14.3 33.3 10.3

Religious

21.4 33.3 24.1 --- --- 13.8 64.3 53.3 56.9


Give explanation of what cloning is?



Responses

Identical copy/ Exact Copy (52.8)

Offspring with similar genetic makeup (3.4)

Reproduction without fertilisation (3.4)

Reproduction without parental support (1.1)

Similar copy of cell or organism (2.3)

Making modified offspring (3.4)

Reproduction; cell from one and gene from other (1.1)

Creating many genes from single gene (1.1)

Asexual reproduction (2.3)

Somatic cell nucleus transfer (3.4)

Against nature (2.3)

Should human being be cloned?


Question

I would like to be cloned, comment…


Question

ResponsesI am against cloning of animalsExciting to have same but I don’t want to be clonedNo, I can’t tolerate myselfNot at all to be clonedNo, I want to maintain my identityNo, I am afraidNo, society will look down upon meNo, I am not such great personalityNo, it is not goodNo, it is unethical and against natureNo, it will create problemsNo, I am not an experimental materialYes, for the sake of scienceYes, but with my permissionYes, I want to fulfill my dreamsYes, I want to improve my abilitiesYes, I want more replica


Any further comment on biotechnology, cloning or any other biotechnological techniques.


Question

Responses•I appreciate the subjects•Ethical implications must be considered•Good to have modern techniques•We should welcome debate before adoption of new technologies•Good for mankind•Should be encouraged with no harm to anyone•Should be developed for useful purposes•Adoption with all limitations•Science should work for the betterment of the human beings •We don’t have the right to interfere with nature


ImportanceThough indicative , such studies are

importantTo know the public/s: An important step

ahead of communicationCommunication models and PUSChanging paradigms in PUS so change in

communication strategiesCultural aspects must be taken care ofWrong beliefs must be addressed toInformation to the planners/policy makers


THANKS


how do students perceive about biotechnology and ethics?

Documents

south africa 2009chart134

potters2nd ascc

analysis2nd ascc

questionnaires2nd ascc

question2nd ascc

issues2nd ascc

minimum science

technologytaking science