A new Eurobarometer survey on life sciences and biotechnology shows that Europeans are optimistic about biotechnology. 53% of respondents believe biotechnology will have a positive effect in the future, and only 20% a negative effect. The survey also reveals important knowledge gaps, pointing to a need for more communication.

The Eurobarometer, carried out in February 2010, is the seventh in a series since 1991 and is based on representative samples from 32 European countries.

The analysis of this Eurobarometer is part of the research project Sensitive Technologies and European Public Ethics (STEPE), funded by the Science in Society Programme of the EC’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7). The opinions expressed in the social scientists' report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commission.

As for previous Eurobarometer surveys on biotechnology, the survey questionnaire was prepared, and the results analysed, by an independent team of expert social scientists, on this occasion led by the London School of Economics.

They conclude that there is no rejection of the impetus towards innovation. In general, Europeans are in favour of responsible innovation with appropriate regulation to balance the market, and wish to be involved in decisions about new technologies when social values are at stake. At the same time, there has been since 2005 an increase in trust in most of the key actors - such as doctors, scientists, the EU, national governments and industry - to do a good job in taking decisions on biotechnology issues. Sustainability considerations have become more important over time.

Among the 53% of EU residents optimistic about biotechnology, people in the following countries were particularly positive - Estonia 77%, Sweden 72%, Finland 69%. The only Member State where those who felt biotechnology will have a negative effect outnumbered the optimists was Austria – 41% as against 35%.

There was strong support across the EU for biofuels. 72% of respondents supported crop-based biofuels and 83% were in favour of biofuels made from non-edible material. However, some knowledge gaps still remian within citizens as highlighted by the fact that a majority of respondents had never heard of some of the areas covered by the survey, such as nanotechnology (55% unaware), biobanks (67% unaware) and synthetic biology (83% unaware) while scepticism and concern persist in some areas such as genetically modified foods.

There was overwhelming support for medical applications of biotechnology, subject to strict laws. 63% of respondents approved of embryonic stem cell research, up from 59% in 2005. 69% conditionally supported other stem cell research, up from 65%, and 63% supported gene therapy compared to 54% five years ago. Another 15-18% were prepared to accept the above applications in special circumstances. The countries where most respondents were supportive of these applications overall were the UK, Spain and Denmark.

A clear majority of Europeans (61%, up from 57% in 2005) remains broadly opposed to GM food. Respondents cite safety concerns, a perceived absence of benefits and general unease. However, there is cautious support for new 'technolite' generations of GM food applications - for example introducing genes from crab apples into eating apples, with 46% of respondents in favour as against 38% opposition.

There was also strong opposition to animal cloning for food with only 18% supporting this.