Science/Medicine : Genetic Engineering Mystery

Roughly four in five Americans can neither define genetic engineering nor grasp enough about the science to understand the moral and ethical issues involved.

Despite their admitted lack of knowledge, the public is generally optimistic about the potential benefits of genetic engineering.

These and other findings regarding genetic engineering were revealed in the report of a study conducted by Research & Forecasts Inc. for Novo Industri A/S.

Of the approximately 1,000 adults surveyed, about two in five (39%) had not heard of genetic engineering. These individuals were disqualified from participating in the remainder of the survey.

Two in three (66%) of those who had heard of the science say that they do not understand the moral and ethical issues of genetic engineering well enough to take a firm position.

Three quarters (75%) of the respondents who have heard of genetic engineering support the concept of eliminating hereditary diseases by changing some of the genes in a woman’s egg cells, or in a man’s sperm cells.

Several scientists interviewed were surprised by the strong public endorsement of inserting altered genes into a woman’s egg cell or a man’s sperm cell. They believe that this proves the public’s lack of knowledge about the science.