High school and university students' knowledge and attitudes regarding biotechnology

Abstract

Biotechnology has a considerable importance in Turkish biology curriculum. This study was designed to explore or indicate Turkish high school and university students' knowledge and attitudes toward biotechnology. A total number of 352 high school and 276 university students were invited to the study. The Biotechnology Knowledge Questionnaire (BKQ) with 16 items and Biotechnology Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ) with 37 items were used as data collection instruments. The statistically significant correlation was observed between the level of biotechnology knowledge and the subdimensions of attitudes toward biotechnology. We found no statistically significant difference between high school and university students' knowledge of biotechnology. In contrast, university students showed more positive attitudes toward biotechnology than did high school students. However, the effect of gender was equivocal; therefore, it did not support a ''gender paradox'' hypothesis. Our results suggest that although students' appreciation of (agricultural) biotechnology is relatively positive, the understanding of biotechnology processes is superficial and attitudes toward shopping genetically modified products are therefore negative. The possible impact of current science and biology curriculum, and also biotechnology news given in media on Turkish students' views of biotechnology is discussed.

The level of knowledge of prospective biology teachers on gene technology and their source of information

“…Prokop et al (2007) found that university students' knowledge toward modern biotechnology is poor. In another study carried out by Usak et al (2009) in Turkey indicate the findings that both high school and university students have similar knowledge of what biotechnology processes mean. About half of the knowledge questions were answered correctly by more than half of all the Turkish students.…”

“…Several studies in science education literature determined that high school and university students' knowledge towards biotechnology and genetic engineering is low (Chen & Raffan, 1999;Pfister et al, 2000;Prokop et al, 2007;Usak, Erdogan, Prokop & Ozel, 2009). Pfister et al (2000) found in their study that the level of knowledge on genetics and molecular biology is low.…”

“…The researchers report that the assessment of GT and the knowledge on it may be considered closely interrelated and that knowledge affects behaviors, interest and attitude towards GT. Current science and science education literature investigated relationships between knowledge, interest and attitudes towards biotechnology and GT with empirical studies (Chen & Raffan, 1999;Lock, Miles & Hughes, 1995;Pfister et al, 2000;Prokop et al, 2007;Todt & Götz, 1998;Usak et al, 2009).…”

Perception of Genetics by Using of Semantic Differential at High School Students: Preliminary Results

“…Overall, Slovakian students have poor knowledge and numerous misunderstandings about what genetic engineering means. Usak et al (2009) examined statistically significant correlation between the level of biotechnology knowledge and the subdimensions of attitudes toward biotechnology. Authors found no statistically significant difference between high school and university students' knowledge of biotechnology.…”

Elementary education preservice teachers' understanding of biotechnology and its related processes

“…Biotechnology is one of the science disciplines that have undergone rapid development in the 21st century [1]. As such, biotechnology is seen as a crucial development for both scientific and economic progress [2][3][4], and it is also laden with professional opportunities [5].…”