Attitudes towards genetics: a case study among Brazilian high school students

Abstract

The objective of our study was to investigate young people's attitudes towards modern genetics and biotechnology. Quantitative and qualitative studies were conducted among high school students in Rio de Janeiro. These included a survey of students in nine public and private schools as well as focus groups for a complementary analysis of their attitudes and perceptions with respect to these subjects. We observed that, in general, students are relatively well informed about some of the main issues related to the applications of genetics. In their assessment of the utility, the potential risks, and the need for encouragement of the different techniques used in genetic manipulation, they were able to make clear distinctions between the different purposes of each technique. Most students believed that transgenic food could be useful and that it should be encouraged, but they were also aware that there were risks involved. Furthermore, the students were strongly supportive of the labeling of transgenic food.

Conceptions on genetics in a group of college students

“…Despite the restrictions concerning the "lay" media, the science was considered incontestable for all groups. These results are similar to the findings of other studies, where people showed interest in genetics, gather information from a variety of different sources, and could use a "scientific" vocabulary, although sometimes they could not fully understand many genetic concepts (Lanie et al 2004;Bates 2005;Massarani and Moreira 2005).…”

“…This view against genetic reductionism is similar to the one found in other studies that explore public opinion about genetics, suggesting that people are able to critically interpret several messages they receive (Condit 1999;Massarani and Moreira 2005). Thus, the participants in general did not endorse the concern expressed by authors related to sociology, anthropology, and philosophy that factors related to social risks will plunge in discussions about personal and family genetic risk factors (Condit 1999;Rose 2006).…”

“…The groups showed maturity and critical ability when facing the different media and contents generally available. That way, such media contents were ultimately used to build their knowledge, to shape their speech, and to serve as basis to their opinions, in accordance to the published literature (Condit 1999;Massarani and Moreira 2005;Bates 2005). …”

“…This scenario has been changed by recent works, such as the one by Massarani and Moreira (2005), with high school students. This paper highlights the interest in genetic issues that are emerging in the general public, whose need for knowledge cannot be met by formal education only-much information on this matter comes from the press, which usually covers it superficially and partially.…”

“…This paper highlights the interest in genetic issues that are emerging in the general public, whose need for knowledge cannot be met by formal education only-much information on this matter comes from the press, which usually covers it superficially and partially. Yet, the public shows critical ability to absorb and filter the information (Massarani and Moreira 2005).…”