Genetic Advances Divide Public Opinion
Survey: Public Knowledge Of Technologies Lags
Americans are both hopeful and fearful about the rapidly advancing power of scientists to manipulate human reproduction, according to a new survey.
The survey, conducted for the Genetics and Public Policy Center at Johns Hopkins University, explored the knowledge and attitudes of 1,211 respondents about reproductive cloning, genetic testing, and genetic modification, and preferences about government regulation. The survey was funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts.
"These technologies give us the power to manipulate the most personal and profound of human activities -- beginning a new human life," said Kathy Hudson, the center's director.
The survey found that 76 percent of Americans oppose scientists working on ways to clone humans. Of those who support human cloning research, men outnumber women by more than two to one.
However, the public's knowledge about these technologies is not keeping pace with the steep growth in genetic science. Only 18 percent of respondents were able to correctly answer six or more of the eight knowledge questions.
Twenty-two percent of respondents believe a human has already been cloned, with young men most likely to believe it.
The public draws a clear line between how the technologies will be used, according to the survey. Two-thirds of respondents approve of using genetic testing to help parents have a baby free of a serious genetic disease. An even larger number, more than 70 percent, disapprove of trying to use these technologies to identify or select traits such as strength or intelligence.
Most respondents think the government should regulate the quality and safety of reproductive genetic technologies and limit human reproductive cloning. In fact, the majority of Republicans, Democrats and Independents support government regulation of these technologies.
Fifty-four percent think about these technologies primarily in terms of health and safety while 33 percent view them in religious or moral terms. According to the survey, those with a religious or moral view of the techologies are most likely to disapprove of them.
The biggest fears are that using these technologies is too much like "playing God," or that they can be easily used for the wrong purposes. The greatest benefits are being able "to wipe out certain genetic diseases forever" and improving parent's chances their baby will be healthy.
"As decision-makers struggle with how to guide the development and use of these powerful technologies, the options they consider must reflect society's values and priorities," said Hudson.
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