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Most of the British public is aware of developments in the biological sciences, but a significant proportion believes that research in some areas of biotechnology — notably cloning — is moving too fast, and that there is too little regulation.

These are among the findings to emerge from a public consultation on the biosciences commissioned by the government and published last week. They contributed to the government's decision to increase public involvement in overseeing developments in biotechnology (see page 287).

The survey — the largest of its kind to be undertaken in Britain — established the extent of public opposition to biotechnology, which has severely affected the government and industry's timetable for the introduction of genetically modified crops.

Researchers from the polling company Market and Opinion Research International (MORI) interviewed 1,100 people face-to-face, and conducted six two-day ‘focus group’ workshops with 123 people. Respondents were asked five categories of questions, including the level of their awareness of the biosciences and their regulatory arrangements, and the issues they believe should be taken into account in any oversight process.

The public is aware of xenotransplantation and such issues, and is broadly supportive of the benefits of biotechnology, particularly in healthcare. But there is a feeling that information is being held back, particularly regarding answers to questions such as ‘why is this development taking place?’. It is also less supportive of cloning and genetic modification in agriculture, and wants its views to be considered when decisions are made.

Many participants could not see the purpose of cloning, and remained concerned about the possibility of human cloning, even when told it is illegal. They also felt they had been kept in the dark about it.

Similarly, respondents did not regard genetically modified food as being of benefit to society, and were unsure as to why it was being produced. The idea of using animal or human genes in plants for consumption was generally not considered acceptable. The most common reason given for GM food was ‘to produce more food/have high yields/boost agriculture’. But this was followed closely by ‘companies want to make money/have profit’.

When asked about bioscience regulation, 38 per cent believe that there is too little regulation of bioscience developments.

Hospital and family doctors came top of of those most trusted to take regulatory decisions on the public's behalf (57 per cent). Retailers topped the list of those least trusted to take such decisions.