Science Generation Sweden SCIENCE GENERATION IN SWEDEN The

Science Generation - Sweden SCIENCE GENERATION IN SWEDEN The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences

Science Generation - Sweden Steering committee • Prof. Kristina Glimelius Vice Principal of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences • Dr Gustaf Brunius Head of the Swedish Gene Technology Advisory Board • Ass. Prof. Björn Fjæstad Managing Director of the monthly magazine ”Science and Progress” • Camilla Modéer Managing Director of “Science and Society” • Dr Marie Nyman Scientist at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SLU

Science Generation - Sweden Opinion barometers • Four recent Swedish opinion barometers together cover many of the issues brought up in the French barometer • We have summarized the results from these barometers and the result will be published on the Swedish homepage soon • After evaluating the result we will decide what questions should be asked and to whom in a possible Swedish Science Generation opinion barometer during the autumn

Science Generation - Sweden Interviews with experts Aim • Find out views among scientists, industrialists and others concerning public opinion regarding biotechnology research and applications • Identifying important issues to discuss and to raise awareness about • Identifying national and regional initiatives to promote interest and increase awareness and knowledge

Science Generation - Sweden Interviews with experts Results • There is a widespread concern that too few young people are interested in studying natural sciences and technology • Most interesting ethical and other issues were identified • A number of national and regional initiatives were identified

Science Generation - Sweden The Swedish biotechnology map No. of employees No. of companies

Science Generation - Sweden Complex issues of importance - First meetings of the mobilisation channels Concerning biotechnology research and applications • Genetic testing, gene therapy and bio banks • Production of genetically modified crops • Transgenic animals, xenotransplantation • Human stem cells, embryonic and adult More general issues • What initiatives are there, opinions concerning these and how do the participants obtain information? • How interest and knowledge should be increased

Science Generation - Sweden Results from the first meetings of the mobilisation channels • Discussions revealed that many of the participants had not beforehand decided what they thought regarding the complex issues brought up • Concerning health related issues there were few differences between the three categories of participants • Some of the young participants were more concerned with environmental and animal rights issues where GMO and Xenotransplantations were concerned than risk issues

Science Generation - Sweden Results from the first meetings of the mobilisation channels • The most important ways to increase knowledge, awareness, and interest was thought to be through the school system and television • There is also a need for meetings between scientists, industrialists, politicians and other experts and the general public • No regional or national initiatives that we did not already know about was identified

Science Generation - Sweden The Swedish website

Science Generation - Sweden Planned activities – 2003 • Debates/meetings in the three, possibly four, regions between politicians/scientists/experts etc. and students/teachers/general public are being organised during the spring • Use new ways and new channels to reach people interested in actively participating in developing concrete initiatives in their region • Launch the Swedish website • Evaluate the opinion barometers • Plan for Brussels 2004…