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

This study investigates the knowledge and attitudes of post-16 UK and Taiwanese students (aged 17–18) with regard to biotechnology. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to explore students’ knowledge and attitudes. The results indicated limited understanding of biotechnology: in both countries 50 per cent of pupils were able to give examples of biotechnology, and about 60 per cent were able to give examples of genetic engineering. In general students were in favour of genetic engineering applied to plants, but not to animals; they did not approve of animal gene transfers into plants. Attitudes towards manipulation of organisms depended upon the purpose; manipulation of organisms for disease resistance was judged more positively than for enhanced growth. The implications of these results, for the development of biotechnology teaching in secondary school science education, are discussed. A key finding is the positive influence of the UK science curriculum content on students’ attitudes to biotechnology.