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Nature 408, 628 (7 December 2000) | doi:10.1038/35047240

Scientists win vote of confidence from French public

Declan Butler

People in France still see science in a positive light despite the recent tempests over mad cow disease, HIV in blood, and genetically engineered food, according to a survey undertaken for the research ministry.Of 1,000 adults surveyed by the polling organization Taylor Nelson Sofres, 53% said they most trusted scientists to control the progress and ethical use of science — far ahead of intellectuals and philosophers (19%), associations and trade unions (9%), or religious groups (6%).