Europe has better perception of, but lower interest in, science
Science has a slightly improved perception among Europeans, but most show no or little interest in the subject. These are two of the main findings from the latest Eurobarometer survey analysing Europeans' take on science and research. The survey was produced from the responses of over 16,000 people interviewed in May and June 2001, with an average of 1000 in each Member State (Germany had 1000 interviewed each in both the new and the old Länder). Most respondents believed that the best way to improve European research was through means that resemble those implied in the proposed European research area (ERA). Developing cooperation between researchers came top with 84 per cent, followed by better coordination of research (80 per cent) and improved cooperation between research and industry (78 per cent). One of the worrying elements of the results is that there is no better an appreciation of science among the young than there is in general. The reasons given for this was the lack of appeal of school science classes, scientific subjects being too difficult, lower interest among the young in the science subjects and lack of career prospects. Among the general populace, over a third felt that scientific and technological developments were presented too negatively and this was reflected in the fact that 60 per cent said that they rarely read articles related to these subjects. Some 45 per cent of respondents said that they felt neither interested in nor informed about science and technology, while 66 per cent said they were not well informed. Education and information may not even have the beneficial effect desired. According to the responses related to the question of science and GMOs (genetically modified organisms), more knowledge of the science of the issues involved did not lead to a more positive outlook, which is usually the case. Opinion on scientists is divided. The same percentage of respondents, 42 per cent, both agreed and disagreed with the statement that scientists are responsible for the misuse of their discoveries by other people. But there was agreement on scientists and ethics. Some 80 per cent claimed that 'the authorities should formally oblige scientists to respect ethical standards.' Particular national tendencies which were revealed from the survey showed that the Netherlands and Belgium had the lowest opposition to GMOs, Portugal and Finland had the lowest awareness of EU research policy, Spain, Denmark and Germany's new Länder were the most positive about the scientific effect of enlargement, France had the most positive attitude to research coordination, the UK was the most critical of EU involvement in science, Sweden had the highest interest in science and technology, Italy the most positive attitude towards EU level research, Luxembourg the highest interest in the environment, Greece the highest concern with ethics and Ireland the lowest regard for scientists. The survey was carried out on people aged 15 or over and all comparisons are made with the same survey that was carried out by the Commission in 1992. A similar survey will be conducted in the candidate countries next year.