Biotechnology: student's knowledge and attitudes in the UK and Taiwan

This study investigates the knowledge and attitudes of post-16 UK and Taiwa nese students (aged 17-18) with regard to biotechnology. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to explore students' knowledge and attit udes. The results indicated limited understanding of biotechnology: in both countries 50 per cent of pupils were able to give examples of biotechnolog y, and about 60 per cent were able to give examples of genetic engineering. In general students were in favour of genetic engineering applied to plant s, but not to animals; they did not approve of animal gene transfers into p lants. Attitudes towards manipulation of organisms depended upon the purpos e; manipulation of organisms for disease resistance was judged more positiv ely than for enhanced growth. The implications of these results, for the de velopment of biotechnology teaching in secondary school science education, are discussed. A key finding is the positive influence of the UK science cu rriculum content on students' attitudes to biotechnology.