The Australian Government has just released the latest version of its Public Attitudes Towards Biotechnology in Australia Report 2010 which has been much anticipated here at the ASCC as it gives us an official measure of what the public understand and think about stem cell science.
The Australian Government has been performing this survey every two years since 1999 (all of the previous surveys can be found on the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research website) and since stem cells were included in the questionnaire in 2003, awareness and acceptance of using all types of stem cells in medical research and for treating disease has steadily climbed whilst perceptions of risk have dropped. In 2003, 82% of respondents thought that stem cells would improve our way of life in the future with this figure growing to 92% in 2010. Across all of the technologies measured, stem cell research was thought to have the most benefits and the lowest levels of perceived risk at only 24%.
Interestingly, the survey goes on to ask participants for their support for research using different types of stem cells, splitting them into three categories with the results as follows: stem cells generated from the patients own cells (88%), using non-embryonic, cord or adult stem cells (79%) and using embryonic stem cells (70%). Support for embryonic stem cell research has hovered at the 70% level for the last couple of surveys which is comparatively high.
So what can we extrapolate out of this wealth of information? This is what the ASCC’s Dr Megan Munsie Senior Manager, Research and Government had to say:
“We are pleased Australians continue to support stem cell research as shown by such a high level of awareness and acceptance in this Report. At the Australian Stem Cell Centre we have worked tirelessly to make stem cell research accessible to the community through our engagement with teachers, students, patient groups and community groups such as Rotary.
It is not a surprise that stem cell research enjoys such a high level of support as this branch of science still offers unheralded potential to ease pain and suffering. It is important though that the public continue to be informed of the true progress of the underlying science and its appropriate medical use and isn’t misled by hype. There is a danger that community expectations are outpacing the rate of scientific and medical progress and that this is creating an “expectations vacuum” with the Australian public. Such a vacuum creates the opportunity for exploitation of the Australian public by overseas companies and clinics offering stem cell treatments now with little or no scientific basis let alone proof of safety. Our Patient Information Handbook provides a wealth of information for those who are interested in finding out more about stem cell research and therapies, in particular those offered overseas.
In Australia we are fortunate to have a well regulated health system that tests and approves new drugs and treatments. Whilst the progress of medical research can often seem painfully slow and frustrating for those in need, the public can be assured that when new stem cell treatments are approved in Australia they will be both safe and effective which warrants a high level of confidence and support from the Australian public.”
One could add that while the similar levels of acceptance between embryonic and non-embryonic stem cells shows that overall support is strong, between 12% and 14% ticked the don’t know box indicating a level of uncertainty in the community as to what the different stem cell types are, where they come from and what their potential uses are.
The ASCC will continue to work to provide easy to access and understand information to the public on stem cell research and its applications. Information on the current status of the research and stem cell therapies is available in our Patient Information Handbook. Stem Cell Fact Sheets are also available for download.
Read more at Australian Life Scientist, Aussies give thumbs up to biotechnology.