Who thinks the benefits of genetic engineering are likely to outweigh the risks?
Note that the model of Eq. 1 implies that asking questions about genetic engineering generally, without naming the benefits, will bring up the negatives but not the positives, and so is misleading. I believe this is the cause of much of the confusion in Hindmarsh et al.’s critique, and in the literature generally. The results show that Australians supportive of genetic engineering — the majority — tend to be those who: • favour the goals, especially agricultural benefits; • are less worried than the average about potential costs; • do not have irrational fears of fluoridation; • are relatively knowledgeable about genetic engineering; and • have a scientific world-view. Conversely, those hostile to genetic engineering — the minority — tend to be those who: • are less keen on agricultural goals than most Australians; • are more worried than the average about potential risks; • have irrational fears of fluoridation; • know little about genetic engineering; and • are creationists, reje
