Social Representations of Biotechnologies in Europe
Over the past twenty years, there has been considerable public controversy on the use of biotechnologies. With the “green” biotechnologies, that is, those mostly connected with the engineering of transgenic plants, the focus has been on the risks to consumers and the environment and the lack of immediate benefits for consumers. For “red” biotechnologies, that is, those chiefly related to the medical field, the notion of risk is undoubtedly more ambiguous as the expected benefits for patients seem more direct. But beyond the risk-benefit calculation, “red” biotechnologies have potential ethical consequences, which first exploded onto the scene with the cloning of the sheep Dolly. An analysis of surveys conducted in European Union countries (Eurobarometers) allows us to explore Europeans’ social representations in this area.