science generation - sweden science generation in sweden the royal swedish academy of engineering...

Science Generation - Sweden

SCIENCE GENERATION IN SWEDEN The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences


Steering committee

• Prof. Kristina Glimelius

Vice Principal of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences • Dr Gustaf Brunius

Head of the Swedish Gene Technology Advisory Board• Ass. Prof. Björn Fjæstad Managing Director of the

monthly magazine ”Science and Progress”• Camilla Modéer Managing Director of “Science and Society”• Dr Marie Nyman

Scientist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SLU


Opinion barometers

• Four recent Swedish opinion barometers together cover many of the issues brought up in the French barometer

• We have summarized the results from these barometers and the result will be published on the Swedish homepage soon

• After evaluating the result we will decide what questions should be asked and to whom in a possible Swedish Science Generation opinion barometer during the autumn


Interviews with experts

Aim• Find out views among scientists, industrialists and

others concerning public opinion regarding biotechnology research and applications

• Identifying important issues to discuss and to raise awareness about

• Identifying national and regional initiatives to promote interest and increase awareness and knowledge


Interviews with experts

Results

• There is a widespread concern that too few young people are interested in studying natural sciences and technology

• Most interesting ethical and other issues were identified

• A number of national and regional initiatives were identified


The Swedish biotechnology mapNo. of employees No. of companies


Complex issues of importance -First meetings of the mobilisation channels

Concerning biotechnology research and applications• Genetic testing, gene therapy and bio banks • Production of genetically modified crops• Transgenic animals, xenotransplantation• Human stem cells, embryonic and adult

More general issues• What initiatives are there, opinions concerning these and how

do the participants obtain information?• How interest and knowledge should be increased


Results from the first meetings of the mobilisation channels

• Discussions revealed that many of the participants had not beforehand decided what they thought regarding the complex issues brought up

• Concerning health related issues there were few differences between the three categories of participants

• Some of the young participants were more concerned with environmental and animal rights issues where GMO and Xenotransplantations were concerned than risk issues


Results from the first meetings of the mobilisation channels

• The most important ways to increase knowledge, awareness, and interest was thought to be through the school system and television

• There is also a need for meetings between scientists, industrialists, politicians and other experts and the general public

• No regional or national initiatives that we did not already know about was identified

Science Generation - SwedenThe Swedish website


Planned activities – 2003

• Debates/meetings in the three, possibly four, regions between politicians/scientists/experts etc. and students/teachers/general public are being organised during the spring

• Use new ways and new channels to reach people interested in actively participating in developing concrete initiatives in their region

• Launch the Swedish website

• Evaluate the opinion barometers

• Plan for Brussels 2004…

science generation - sweden science generation in sweden the royal swedish academy of engineering...

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