ebs_340_en

Special EUROBAROMETER 340 “Science and Technology”
When looking at country differences, the figure above shows the variation in opinion
between respondents in different countries. While 65% of respondents in Spain agree,
only 29% of respondents in Luxembourg, and 32% of respondents in Slovenia agree.
There are several countries where half or more of respondents agree. Apart from
Spain, these are Bulgaria at 62% of respondents, Lithuania at 59% of respondents,
Portugal at 54% of respondents, Slovakia and Turkey at 52% of respondents, Greece
at 51% of respondents and Denmark, Estonia and Cyprus at 50% of respondents who
agree. At the other end of the scale, there are five countries where half or more of
respondents disagree: Finland, Slovenia, Luxembourg and France at 51% of
respondents, and Switzerland at 50% of respondents.
Comparing the results of this survey with those from the survey in 2005 we see that
average agreement levels have hardly changed in 2010 (-1), while disagreement levels
have gone up by 3 percentage points (from 34 at the EU25 level in 2005). This
suggests a somewhat more critical stance on the ethical aspects of science and
technological development.
Looking at the socio-demographic groups, there is a difference between men and
women where 49% of men are likely to agree compared to only 39% of women. Apart
from men, the following groups are most likely to agree: respondents who consider
themselves right of centre politically (50%), managers (49%), those interested in
science (48%) and those who consider themselves well informed about scientific
discoveries (47%).
- In approving animals testing, Europeans distinguish between the type of animal –
European citizens appear less sensitive to the use of animals like mice in science
compared to use of dogs or monkeys. The majority (66%) find that scientists should
be allowed to do research on animals like mice if it produces new information about
human health problems, while only 18% of respondents disagree 33 . As seen earlier
only 44% of respondents find animal testing acceptable when larger animals such as
dogs and monkeys are the subject.
33 QC6.13 Scientists should be allowed to do research on animals like mice if it produces new information
about human health problems.
- 61 -