Misplaced Faith
- 1 December 2001
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Science Communication
- Vol. 23 (2) , 97-110
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547001023002002
Abstract
Science communicators and the broader scientific community often expect media information campaigns to mold attitudes about science and technology in predictable ways. But resistance to technology is not always based on ignorance, and the ability of media-based education to directly shape opinions is actually quite limited. This article uses data from a recent U.S. national survey on opinions about biotechnology to argue that trust in institutional actors is a bigger factor than genetic knowledge in predicting encouragement for specific applications of biotechnology. The results have implications for the practice of science, as well as for the practice of science communication.Keywords
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