Public perception of Biotechnology in South Africa

Transcription

1 Public perception of Biotechnology in South Africa Ben Durham IFPRI May 9

2 SA Biotechnology 1 SA National Biotechnology Strategy 3 Creation of 6 institutions as main agents of strategy 4 Innovation support centres 1 Bioinformatics Platform/Network 1 Public Understanding of Biotech programme 4 - Public Understanding of Biotechnology Survey 7/8 - Approx 16 technology platforms created - Approx 1 projects - 38 companies created through innovation centres - Survey 9/1 - Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) - Centres of Competence

3 SA Biotechnology Public Understanding of Biotechnology Programme Why PUB? Government strategy developing SA Biotechnology. Recognize controversy regarding GM; Stem cells; cloning Set up a Communication institution to promote factual, science-based evidence regarding biotechnology. Not pro-biotech Develop credibility and trust

4 Biotech Survey 7 7 Survey based on revised list-based OECD Biotech definition. 78 biotechnology active companies, including 38 core biotech companies 42 biotech products/services Revenues >R767 million Jobs 2 51 (biotech specific); 72 8 (all) 9% of companies <5 employees Geographical distribution Demographics Proportion of companies involved in various technologies 8.8% Response rate DNA/RNA 41% Protein 24% Cell & Tissue 37% Process 36% Sub-cellular 1% Bio-informatics 23% Nano-biotechnology 8% Environmental 18% Other 6%

5 PUB Survey 4 High response rate (82% completed survey) Baseline to measure impact not to substantiate specific views; Knowledge, attitudes & judgments, trust; Mostly quantitative; Census enumerator areas/gis repeatable; Face to face interviews; & Language of choice. Race: 76% black 7 people aged 16+ in 5 enumerator areas; Representative of total SA adult population of 29 million; Gender: 46% male & 54% female 53% formal urban; 35% tribal; 9% informal urban; 4% rural; 12% white 9% coloured 3% asian Age: 29% 16-24% % 26-6 % 6+

6 PUB Survey 4 Knowledge 25 What do you think about biotech Fake goods that come with Nigerians & Chinese something to do with brains Weapons of mass destruction something to do with cars 75 Attitude Negative Positive Indifferent

7 Population and Segmentation % PUB Survey Negative, Indifferent, Positive, Negative, Positive, Indifferent,

8 PUB Survey 4 Employment Employment Status - 75% uninformed Employment Status Survey sample % informed Total Indifferent, Unemployed Negative, Permanent Positive, Total 9 Indifferent, Unemployed Negative, Permanent Positive, Average Houseshold Income - 1 R 7, Household income Average Housheold Income - R 9, R 6, R 4, R 1, R 2, R 4, R 4, Total Indifferent, Negative, Positive, Total Indifferent, Negative, Positive, Average HH income Average HH income

9 PUB Survey 4 Ethnicity 75% uninformed Survey sample 25% informed Ethnicity Total Indifferent, Negative, Positive, Total Black Coloured Asian/Indian White Ethnicity - 77 Indifferent, 65 Negative, 4 Black Coloured Asian/Indian White 42 Positive,

10 PUB Survey Source of information - Where would like to get info Total Indifferent, Negative, Positive, Know ledge - Like to get information Total Indifferent, Negative, Positive, Universities Media SA Government Environmental groups Dont know Consumer organisations Religious organisations Industry (Private sector) UNINFORMED Universities Media SA Government Environmental groups Dont know Consumer organisations Religious organisations Industry (Private sector) INFORMED

11 Percentage of Responses PUB Survey 4 Which biotechnology practices should stop or continue? 7 Stop Continue Don't Know Food (Bread & cheese) GM crops - pest resistent Medicines Biodegradable plastics =>Vote for continuation

12 PUB Survey 4 Don't know Other Desired information on food labels.6 51% don t read food labels Ingredients 21 Irradiation Certified organic 1 1 Country of origin 3 Grown locally 1 Health benefits 21 Fat content 9.5 GMO content 1 Pesticide content Percentage of respondents

13 Percentage of respondents PUB Survey 4 Sources of biotechnology information Not interested Other sources Internet Magazines & newspapers Radio TV All media

14 Principles Biotech is more than GMO s (& be inclusive) GMO s =>Polarized debate +ve attitude links with higher lsm; income; education. Important to focus on positive features: Health benefits Environmental benefits Job creation Sustainable livelihoods SA strategy for public awareness

15 Conclusions Engagement, not information Biotech creating jobs Exploiting South African ideas Case studies - moving from a purely abstract approach (cloning/gm/stem cell) to more relevant SA examples. Key message: Responsible biotechnology But fine to provoke discussion with controversy Government biosafety promoting transparency; public access; decision justifications

16 PUB Approach Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB) Programme Media Responding to media (accuracy & balance); coordinating media; monitoring media Developing biotech material tv; thought pieces; posters; cartoons; articles Training journalists media round tables on SA relevant topics Training researchers workshops and one-on-one s Drama audience participation plays Exhibitions Science Festival; Bio2Biz; INSITE Conferences/seminars/workshops Website Curriculum development Survey

17 BIC Approach Biotechnology Innovation Centres (funding innovation projects & platforms) Promote their biotech activities Marketing managers Launches of companies/platforms/products (often with Ministerial support) Bio2Biz Regional Fora (quarterly events) Promotional material Press