Educating the European Public for Biotechnology - EURO BIOTECH EDUCATION

In the light of the present and future economic and social significance of biotechnology, together with current consumer attitudes, the sources of informative material available to the general public are of major importance. In 12 Member States, plus Switzerland and California, we propose to explore, survey and evaluate educational measures in biotechnology accessible to the public as a whole and to various sectors within it: i.e. comprehensible to non-specialists and available without undue difficulty. The survey will include printed, broadcast and Internet sources, formal and informal educational programmes, specific publicity by industry and a variety of special interest groups, etc. In particular, and bearing in mind cultural and other differences, we will seek criteria for best practice, what Member States may learn from one another and whether/how prevailing public attitudes might be related to existing education practices and ease of access to information.