Transcript Question

How do students perceive
about biotechnology and
ethics?
SURJIT SINGH
NISTADS (CSIR), INDIA
[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)
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
 Two big questions??
What is minimum?
Who is everyone?
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Survey Studies on public
understanding of science
 Kumbh Mela studies(1989,1995,2001,2007)
 Manglopuri, Delhi
 RONAST, Nepal
 Survey on plague. health and hygiene
 Perception towards education
 Understanding and attitude towards HIV/AIDS
 Children perception on media channels
 Survey on potters
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
General conclusions:
 Public is not blank
 Different knowledge systems (Public and Science)
 Education important determinant but not the only one
to determine understanding
 Gender difference
 Females have higher understanding of health and
hygiene aspects (except for HIV/AIDS)
 Media impact
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Determinants of PUS
 Complexity of phenomenon(fact, process, theory)
 Effect on human being
 Protective measures
 Time period
 Age
 Education
 Gender
 Occupation
 Sources of information
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Models of PUS
 Deficit Model
v/s
 Cultural model
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Present Study
 Questionnaire 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 Cloning
 Students from Bio-sciences studying biotechnology as
one of the subjects
A seminar on PUS and distribution of questionnaires
and collection of filled in questionnaires
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Objectives of the study
 To 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
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Some analysis
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Question
In your opinion, what are the
three best-suited technologies/
biotechnological techniques
for the future of the country?
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
No. of responses
No response
One response
Two responses
Three responses
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Percentage
26.4
19.0
36.2
18.4
1
3
5
7
9
11
DNA Fingerprinting 28.6
2
Genetic Engg 26.4
Tissue culture 21.7
4
Recombinant DNA 17.2
PCR 9.2
6
Stem Cell Therapy 8.0
ELISA 6.9
8
Somatic Hybridisation 6.8
Microbiology 4.5
10
Transgenic crop 3.4
Others (cloning, Electrophoresis, Vaccination, Southern blot,
nanotechnology, IVF technology etc.) 9.2
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Gender
Male
Female
No of Responses
no
1
2
52.0
20.0
16.0
16.1
18.5
44.4
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
3
12.0
21.0
Question
Should there be any place
of ethics in science?
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Should there be any place of ethics in
science?
1.2
34.5
52.4
11.9
Yes
No
To some extent
To full extent
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Institutions
no response
DU
KUK
2.0
5.3
yes
no
some
full
44.9 8.2 42.9 2.0
18.4 15.8 60.5 ---
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Question
Biotechnological experiments
should be carried out on plants,
animals or both.
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Responses
 No response
4.6
 Plants only
16.1
 Animals only
1.1
 Both, plants and animals
78.2
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Question
Who should be involved in any
public debate and the final
decision-making processes
regarding use of
biotechnology?
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Response pattern
100
92
80
70
66
Percent
60
59
58
40
25
20
Agree
20
18
15
9
12 10
0
Sc ientis ts
Ethical
Religious
People
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Politic ians
Not sure
8
My self
disagree
Education-wise analysis
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
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Question
Give explanation of what
cloning is?
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
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)
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Question
Should human
being be cloned?
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Question
I would like to be cloned,
comment…
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Responses
I am against cloning of animals
Exciting to have same but I don’t want to be cloned
No, I can’t tolerate myself
Not at all to be cloned
No, I want to maintain my identity
No, I am afraid
No, society will look down upon me
No, I am not such great personality
No, it is not good
No, it is unethical and against nature
No, it will create problems
No, I am not an experimental material
Yes, for the sake of science
Yes, but with my permission
Yes, I want to fulfill my dreams
Yes, I want to improve my abilities
Yes, I want more replica
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Question
Any further comment on
biotechnology, cloning or
any other
biotechnological
techniques.
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
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
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
Importance
 Though indicative , such studies are important
 To know the public/s: An important step ahead of
communication
 Communication models
and PUS
 Changing paradigms in PUS so change in
communication strategies
 Cultural aspects must be taken care of
 Wrong beliefs must be addressed to
 Information to the planners/policy makers
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009
THANKS
2nd ASCC, Gauteng, South Africa 2009