The study addresses
European citizens’ general attitudes towards science and technology: interest
and level of information in the area, education in science and technology,
sources of information, level of involvement Europeans should have in decisions
about science and technology, role of ethics and ethical behaviour in research,
open access to research results…etc. It also compares the results to the last
survey carried, in 2010.
Other interesting
figures provided by the report include:
- At least half of all Europeans are interested
in developments in science and technology (53%), although only 40% say they
feel informed about them.
- Television is the most mentioned source of
information about developments in science and technology (65%), followed by the
internet (35%) and newspapers (33%).
- More than half of Europeans believe that when
it comes to decisions made about science and technology public dialogue is
required (55%).
- University or government scientists are
considered to be the best qualified to explain the impact of scientific or technological developments (66%), with scientists in private laboratories
ranking second (35%).
- Most agree that science has a positive impact
on society (77%). The impact of science and technology on quality of life is
seen as more positive when the focus is on making life easier, more comfortable
and healthier (66%) than it is when only health is considered (50%).
- 54% agree that the application of science and
technology can threaten human rights. At least six out of ten (61%) think that
fundamental rights and moral principles should not be violated to make a new
scientific or technological discovery. Three quarters (76%) agree the EU should
take measures to address the ethical risk of new technologies, with at least
six out of ten in each country in agreement.
- 79% agree that the results of publicly funded
research should be available online for free.
The report is available here.
