Western Australian school students' understanding of biotechnology

Dawson, Vaille; Schibeci, Renato

doi:10.1080/09500690210126720

Cited by 77 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(10 reference statements)

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“…The need for the enhancement of scientific literacy becomes more obvious taking into consideration the rapid development of biotechnology, including HC. Students have been shown to have a seriously limited knowledge of biotechnology and they therefore make recommendations about the improvement of scientific literacy across the school curriculum (18). This study confirmed that new generation lacks knowledge on HC and therefore has the right to receive more education about the contemporary biotechnologies and specifically HC in order to prevent massive ignorance and enhance informed-choices in the future.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…Indeed, there is a widespread concern about scientific education on HC and biotechnology in a broader sense (5,18,25). The need for the enhancement of scientific literacy becomes more obvious taking into consideration the rapid development of biotechnology, including HC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore this research study aimed at investigating in Greece the knowledge of the homogenous Greek Orthodox population. It is also remarkable that certain population groups such as students have been shown to have minimal understanding in terms of biotechnology, while concurrently there is a widespread confusion about HC among laymen (18). However, this study did not focus narrowly on any certain population group.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…A series of benefits has been met in the literature, such as the extension of life expectancy, contribution in a higher quality of life and a contribution to health care (12), the alleviation of painful diseases, and the development of medicine in the future (14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Furthermore, therapeutic cloning may enhance human happiness (9,17).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, the need for enhancement of scientific literacy within schools is emphasized, as knowledge provides the basis for informed decision (18). Katayama appears to agree with this argument, stating that increased knowledge is associated with less fear and a more thoughtful approach (24).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Identifying the Public?s Knowledge and Intention to Use Human Cloning in Greek Urban Areas

Tzamalouka

Soultatou

Papadakaki

et al. 2005

J Assist Reprod Genet

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Purpose : The understanding of the public's knowledge on human cloning (HC) and its acceptability are considered important for the development of evidence-based policy making. The aim of this research study was to investigate the demographic and socioeconomic variables that affect the public's knowledge and intention to use HC in urban areas of Greece. Additionally, the possible association of religiousness with the knowledge and the intention to use HC were also investigated. Methods : Individual interviews were conducted with 1020 men and women of urban areas in Greece. Stratified random sampling was performed to select the respondents. Several scientists, experts in HC, evaluated the content of the instrument initially developed. The final questionnaire was consequently the result of a pilot study. Results : Almost half of the respondents (51.5%) believed that "HC is a sort of in vitro fertilization" and 42.9% that "it has already been applied to human being." They were not aware that "the cloned fetus grows in the woman's uterus" (41.5%) and that "HC could regenerate human organs" (41.7%). The acceptability of human cloning for the cure of terminal diseases and transplantation need is very high (70.7% and 58.6%, respectively). The public's intention to have recourse to cloning on the grounds of "bringing" back to life a loved person or because of reproductive disorders was reported as desire by 35% and 32.5%, respectively. The occupational category (scientists, self-employed, and artists), the Intention to use HC, and the number of children are highly significant predictors of valid knowledge about HC. Low rates of church attendance appeared to relate with high reported Intention to use HC, and increasing scores of valid knowledge about HC increased the public's Intention to use HC. Conclusions : A number of specific demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and high scores of knowledge provide a persuasive justification in demonstrating intention toward HC. The current study suggests that these findings should receive further attention by policymakers and scientists within the Greek context.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Identifying the Public?s Knowledge and Intention to Use Human Cloning in Greek Urban Areas

Tzamalouka

Soultatou

Papadakaki

et al. 2005

J Assist Reprod Genet

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High school and university students' knowledge and attitudes regarding biotechnology

Uşak

Erdoğan

Prokop

et al. 2009

Biochem Molecular Bio Educ

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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.

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

Chabalengula

Mumba

Chitiyo

2011

Biochem Molecular Bio Educ

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This study examined preservice teachers' understanding of biotechnology and its related processes. A sample comprised 88 elementary education preservice teachers at a large university in the Midwest of the USA. A total of 60 and 28 of the participants were enrolled in introductory and advanced science methods courses, respectively. Most participants had taken two integrated science courses at the college level. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which had open-ended items and which required participants to write the definitions and examples of the following terms: biotechnology, genetic engineering, cloning and genetically modified foods. The results indicate that preservice teachers had limited understanding of biotechnology and its related processes. The majority of the preservice teachers provided poor definitions, explanations, and examples of biotechnology, genetic engineering and genetically modified foods. Surprisingly, however, a moderate number of preservice teachers correctly defined cloning and provided correct examples of cloning. Implications for science teacher education, science curriculum, as well as recommendations for further research are discussed.

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Western Australian school students' understanding of biotechnology

Cited by 77 publications

References 9 publications

Identifying the Public?s Knowledge and Intention to Use Human Cloning in Greek Urban Areas

Identifying the Public?s Knowledge and Intention to Use Human Cloning in Greek Urban Areas

High school and university students' knowledge and attitudes regarding biotechnology

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

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