Ambivalent GM nation? Public attitudes to biotechnology in the UK, 1991-2002 George Gaskell, Nick Allum, Martin Bauer, Jonathan Jackson, Susan Howard and Nicola Lindsey Methodology Institute: London School of Economics. London WC2A 2AE July 2003 Research from the project 'Life Sciences in European Society' supported by the EC Directorate General for Research (QLG7-CT-1999-00286) Contact: George Gaskell (g.gaskell@lse.ac.uk ) This report may be cited as: Gaskell, G., Allum, N., Bauer, M. W., Jackson, J., Howard, S., & Lindsey, N. (2003). Ambivalent GM nation? Public attitudes to biotechnology in the UK, 1991-2002. Life Sciences in European Society Report: London School of Economics and Political Science. ________________________________________________________________________________ Contents 1 Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Survey research and public consultation................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Biotechnology enters the public sphere ..................................................................................................... 4 3 Media coverage of biotechnology............................................................................................................. 6 4 Public perceptions ....................................................................................................................................... 7 4.1 Biotechnology: controversial for some, unnoticed by others ................................................................. 7 4.2 Technological optimism and pessimism ................................................................................................... 7 4.3 Technological optimism: implications ....................................................................................................... 9 4.4 Attitudes to applications of biotechnology ............................................................................................... 9 4.5 The development of attitudes to applications of biotechnology: 1996-2002 ....................................... 11 4.6 Commentary on public attitudes 1996-2002............................................................................................ 13 4.7 What lies behind opposition to GM foods?............................................................................................. 14 4.8 GM foods: hypothetical purchasing intentions ...................................................................................... 16 4.9 Characterising the rejecters and the enthusiasts of GM foods ............................................................. 17 5 Implications for GM Nation? .................................................................................................................. 18 6 Sources and further information ............................................................................................................ 19