HOW IS WHITE BIOTECHNOLOGY PERCEIVED IN WESTERN EUROPE?

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HOW IS WHITE BIOTECHNOLOGY PERCEIVED IN WESTERN
EUROPE?
Bioperspective, Wiesbaden 11 May 2005
BREW Symposium White Biotechnology An
Emerging Platform for Industrial Products and
Processes

• Fabio Terragni
• CERISS Milano

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One of the aims of the BREW Project is to
evaluate public perception and likely public
acceptance of biotechnological production of
bulk chemicals form renewable resources

• Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
  Wiesbaden, May 11th

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No previous systematic analysis on the public
perception of White Biotechnology. Possible
references are EUROBAROMETERS on
biotechnology general public opinion polls (91,
93, 96, 99 AND 2002) exploring KNOWLEDGE,
SUPPORT, RISK PERCEPTION, MORAL ACCEPTABILITY,
PERCEIVED USEFULNESS of biotech application in EU
countries. Among the results CLEAR
DISTINCTION BETWEEN MEDICAL (red, generally
accepted) AND AGROFOOD APPLICATIONS (green,
generally disputed) VERY FEW SPECIFIC DATA
ON WHITE BIOTECHNOLOGY (GM ENZYMES FOR SOAP
PRODUCTION) NO SUBSTANTIAL OPPOSITION  

• Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
  Wiesbaden, May 11th

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Another reference, at national level, is KASSEL
2002 an on field survey on 600 consumers in
KASSEL on BDP BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS for food
packaging. Amongst the results - 90 SUPPORT
REPLACING CONVENTIONAL WITH COMPOSTABLE
PLASTICS- 80 EVALUATE BDP QUALITY AS EITHER
GOOD OR VERY GOOD- 87 WOULD BUY IT AGAIN-
1/3 WILLING TO PAY A SURCHARGE FOR A COMPOSTABLE
BAG.

• Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
  SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th

Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
5
Existing data indirectly referable to White
Biotechnology suggested - the lack of
prejudicial opposition and - a possible
positive perception by the general public. More
info needed, even is must be considered that BREW
products are not intended to be addressed to the
final consumer.

• Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
  SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th

Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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Three classes of factors potentially influencing
the public perception have been identified1.
Environmental impact and ethical
considerations2. Socioeconomic and
macroeconomic effects3. Impact of eventual
incidents

• Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
  SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th

Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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TO RANK THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF FACTORS
POTENTIALLY INFLUENCING PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF
WHITE BIOTECHNOLOGY WE USED EXPERTS EVALUATION.
A QUESTIONNAIRE HAS BEEN SENT TO MORE THAN 300
EXPERTS IN NOVEMBER 2004IN THE SAMPLE WE
INCLUDED THE FOLOWING CONCERNED STAKEHOLDERS
RESEARCH INDUSTRY NGOs POLICYMAKERS

• Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
  SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th

Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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DESCRIPTION OF THE SAMPLE(high answer rate 16)
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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A SAMPLE OF PROFESSIONALS A PROXY OF THE GENERAL
PUBLIC
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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SUSTAINABILITY
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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CONVENTIONAL CHEMISTRY VS. BIOTECHNOLOGICAL
PRODUCTION
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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REASONS TO PREFER EACH OPTION
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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ATTITUDES TO POSSIBLE RISKS
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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PERCEIVED ECONOMIC POTENTIAL
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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EXPLORING VIEWS OF COMPETING TECHNOLOGICAL OPTIONS

• THIS SECTION COMPARES 4 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
  FOR BULK CHEMICAL PRODUCTION
• A) SYNTHESIS FROM FOSSIL FEEDSTOCK
  (CONVENTIONAL CHEMISTRY)
• B) BIOTECHNOLOGICAL PRODUCTION BY NATURALLY
  OCCURRING BACTERIA (BACTERIA)
• C) BIOTECHNOLOGICAL PRODUCTION BY GENETICALLY
  MODIFIED BACTERIA (GM BACTERIA)
• D) SYNTHESIS IN GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS (GM
  PLANTS)

Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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The first 10 criteria by importance are
the following 1. Helps to achieve climate
protection goals 2. Is likely to perform
better regarding key environmental impacts
 3. Contributes to saving fossil resources4.
Strengthens long-term international
competitiveness.  5. Has low production
costs6 . Is economically attractive  7.
Reduces the countrys dependency on fossil
resources 8. Helps to make industrial chemical
production more sustainable9. Safe use of GMOs
 10. Serves customers and consumers
preferences  Environmental criteria (1, 2,
3, 8, 9, 10) turn out to be the most relevant,
followed by economic (4, 5, 6) and
geopolitical criteria (7).

• Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
  SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th

Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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To avoid excessive professional bias due, the
sample has been split between industry and
others. Main differences- industry more
reluctant to short-run shift from oil to
biomass-based production (opposed 48 vs. 16)-
more emphasis on economic vs. environmental
criteria- ranking of technological options
(most favoured option)fossil industry 0
others 0bacteria industry 33 others
60gm bacteria industry 42 others 40gm
plants industry 25 others 0
DISAGGREGATED ANALYSIS

• Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
  SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th

Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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CONCLUSIONS

• ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES REPRESENT THE MOST IMPORTANT
  SET OF FACTORS INFLUENCING PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND
  ACCEPTANCE OF BULK CHEMICALS FROM RENEWABLE
  RESOURCES
• WHITE BIOTECHNOLOGY IS PERCEIVED AS A SUSTAINABLE
  TECHNOLOGY WHILE OIL-BASED PRODUCTS ARE PERCEIVED
  AS UNSUSTAINABLE IN THE LONG RUN AND TO BE
  REPLACED

Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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CONCLUSIONS

AS IN OTHER BIOTECH SURVEYS A PERCEIVED SOCIAL
USEFULNESS IS ASSOCIATED WITH A LOW PERCEPTION OF
RISKS OUR SURVEY INDICATES A CLEAR OPTIMISM
TOWARD THE MANAGEMENT OF POSSIBLE INDUSTRIAL
RISKS TO HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT (EVEN
GM BACTERIA ARE NOT PERCEIVED AS DANGEROUS)
         
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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CONCLUSIONS

EVEN POTENTIALLY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES LINKED TO
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES
ARE PERCEIVED AS RELATIVELY LESS RELEVANT
CONFIRMED ALSO BY THE LOW RESPONSE RATE FROM
FARMERS ORGANISATIONS ANYWAY A CLEAR PREFERENCE
FOR NATURALLY OCCURRING PLANTS IS EXPRESSED BY
NON INDUSTRY RESPONDENTS
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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CONCLUSIONS

EVEN IF NOWADAYS TECHNICAL AND ECONOMICAL FACTORS
ARE PERCEIVED AS A BARRIER TO THE INTRODUCTION OF
BULK CHEMICALS PRODUCTION FROM RENEWABLE
RESOURCES THERE ARE POSITIVE EXPECTATIONS ABOUT
THE CONTRIBUTE OF WHITE BIOTECHNOLOGY TO
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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CONCLUSIONS

FINALLY A RELATIVELY LOW IMPORTANCE OF
GEOPOLITICAL FACTORS IN INFLUENCING PUBLIC
PERCEPTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF BULK CHEMICALS
PRODUCTION FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES SEEMS TO
EMERGE FROM THE STUDY
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th
Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th
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AknowledgementsElena Recchia, CERISSBaerbel
Hüsing, FgH - ISIMartin Patel, Utrecht
University THANK YOU TERRAGNI_at_MILANOMET.I
T    

• Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW
  SYMPOSIUM Wiesbaden, May 11th

Fabio Terragni, CERISS BREW SYMPOSIUM
Wiesbaden, May 11th