Europe Losing Faith In Science

- John Mason, Financial Times,  Dec 21, 2001

Almost 400 years since Galileo clashed with the Vatican over the
movements of the earth and sun, many Europeans want to put less trust
in science and more in faith, a European Union poll has revealed.
Europeans have become increasingly sceptical about the contribution
science and technology make towards society, Eurobarometer, the
European Commission's polling organisation, has concluded.

A poll of 16,000 people throughout all 15 EU member states revealed
deeply mixed feelings towards the work of scientists. Most - 80.5 per
cent - think science will help cure diseases such as Aids and cancer.
However, 52 per cent now doubt scientists can help solve world
hunger. While most support better funding of scientific research,
they believe this should not be done by scientists working in
isolation, the report showed.

Eurobarometer concluded: "Yes, science and technology are crucial to
the functioning of society, but their contribution should not be
taken for granted. "Interaction with those outside the scientific
sphere is something which should be encouraged, along with a better
structural organisation of research."

According to the survey, more than 45 per cent of people think too
much reliance is placed on science and too little on faith. Only 36.6
per cent disagreed with this suggestion. Further evidence of public
uncertainty was the 61.3 per cent of people believing science and
technology change life too quickly. This is reflected in Europeans'
continued rejection of scientific claims that genetically modified
foods are safe to eat: 56.5 per cent think GM food is dangerous and
94.6 per cent want the right to choose whether to eat it.

However, scientists attracted less of the blame for Europe's BSE (mad
cow disease) crisis, which 78.3 per cent of people believe poses a
risk to mankind. Most Europeans (74.3 per cent) blame the agri-food
industry for the emergence of BSE. Next in the line of fire come
politicians (68.6 per cent), farmers (59.1 per cent) with scientists
bottom of the list on 50.6 per cent. Europe's youth is also being
turned off science at school, the report showed.