Electronic Journal of Biotechnology
ISSN: 0717-3458 |
Vol. 8 No. 2, Issue of August 15, 2005 |
© 2005 by Pontificia Universidad Católica
de Valparaíso -- Chile |
Received June 29, 2004 / Accepted March 15, 2005 |
ISSUES
IN BIOTECHNOLOGY TEACHING |
Riverina high school students' views
of biotechnology
Heather Cavanagh*
School
of Biomedical Sciences
Charles Sturt
University
Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga
NSW 2678, Australia
Tel: 61 2 6933 2501
Fax: 61 2 6933 2587
E-mail: hcavanagh@csu.edu.au
Jennie Hood
School
of Biomedical Sciences
Charles Sturt
University
Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga
NSW 2678, Australia
Tel: 61 2 6933 2501
Fax: 61 2 6933 2587
E-mail: jehood@csu.edu.au
Jenny Wilkinson
School
of Biomedical Sciences
Charles Sturt
University
Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga
NSW 2678, Australia
Tel: 61 2 6933 2501
Fax: 61 2 6933 2587
E-mail: jwilkinson@csu.edu.au
*Corresponding
author
Keywords: biotechnology,
education, science, secondary school.
A survey investigating
the knowledge and perception of biotechnology by high school students
living in the rural Riverina region of New South Wales,
Australia,
was undertaken. Data relating to the student' preferred and trusted
information sources was also gathered. This study has demonstrated
that at least two-thirds of students had a good knowledge of medical
biotechnology issues, however, a significant proportion of the students
did have concerns about the use and/or safety of biotechnology. Nearly
90% of the respondents would like further information on biotechnology.
In agreement with other surveys, the students reported an apparent
lack of trust in articles from the lay press (newspapers, television,
radio) and yet still report that these media as the preferred information
source. Interestingly, the high school students demonstrated a higher
than national average acceptance of biotechnology.
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