Public Perceptions of Synthetic Biology Solutions for Environmental Problems
This study explored public attitudes towards developing synthetic biology solutions for environmental problems: 1) invasive pest management, 2) endangered species conservation, 3) bioremediation of waterways, and 4) coral reef restoration. A sample of 4,593 Australians were surveyed online. Results...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.928732/full |
| _version_ | 1818113166643560448 |
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| author | Elizabeth V. Hobman Aditi Mankad Lucy Carter |
| author_facet | Elizabeth V. Hobman Aditi Mankad Lucy Carter |
| author_sort | Elizabeth V. Hobman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explored public attitudes towards developing synthetic biology solutions for environmental problems: 1) invasive pest management, 2) endangered species conservation, 3) bioremediation of waterways, and 4) coral reef restoration. A sample of 4,593 Australians were surveyed online. Results showed that public support for a synthetic biology solution was highest for the bioremediation of waterways using an engineered pseudo-organism. Genetically engineering endangered species, invasive pests and coral received comparatively less support than bioremediation, however, support was still moderate to high for these other applications. More proximal behavioural intentions were also rated moderately to more favourably. Our findings underscore the importance of engaging with those who are likely to be impacted by the synthetic biology solution if it were introduced. At this local level, we can then obtain a better understanding of how people are likely to respond to the synthetic biology solution, which can inform how the solution is developed, and when, where, and how it might be implemented in the future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T03:30:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-91ad6edc6de7447d818f0741e6a2137d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-665X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T03:30:31Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-91ad6edc6de7447d818f0741e6a2137d2022-12-22T01:22:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2022-07-011010.3389/fenvs.2022.928732928732Public Perceptions of Synthetic Biology Solutions for Environmental ProblemsElizabeth V. HobmanAditi MankadLucy CarterThis study explored public attitudes towards developing synthetic biology solutions for environmental problems: 1) invasive pest management, 2) endangered species conservation, 3) bioremediation of waterways, and 4) coral reef restoration. A sample of 4,593 Australians were surveyed online. Results showed that public support for a synthetic biology solution was highest for the bioremediation of waterways using an engineered pseudo-organism. Genetically engineering endangered species, invasive pests and coral received comparatively less support than bioremediation, however, support was still moderate to high for these other applications. More proximal behavioural intentions were also rated moderately to more favourably. Our findings underscore the importance of engaging with those who are likely to be impacted by the synthetic biology solution if it were introduced. At this local level, we can then obtain a better understanding of how people are likely to respond to the synthetic biology solution, which can inform how the solution is developed, and when, where, and how it might be implemented in the future.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.928732/fullpublic perceptionstechnology acceptancepublic attitudesenvironmental conservationsynthetic biology |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth V. Hobman Aditi Mankad Lucy Carter Public Perceptions of Synthetic Biology Solutions for Environmental Problems Frontiers in Environmental Science public perceptions technology acceptance public attitudes environmental conservation synthetic biology |
| title | Public Perceptions of Synthetic Biology Solutions for Environmental Problems |
| title_full | Public Perceptions of Synthetic Biology Solutions for Environmental Problems |
| title_fullStr | Public Perceptions of Synthetic Biology Solutions for Environmental Problems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Public Perceptions of Synthetic Biology Solutions for Environmental Problems |
| title_short | Public Perceptions of Synthetic Biology Solutions for Environmental Problems |
| title_sort | public perceptions of synthetic biology solutions for environmental problems |
| topic | public perceptions technology acceptance public attitudes environmental conservation synthetic biology |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.928732/full |
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