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Perceptions and attitudes
of geography teachers to biotechnology: A study focusing on
genetically modified (GM) foods
Ali Demirci*
Fatih
University, Art and Science Faculty, Department of
Geography, 34500, Istanbul, Turkey. E-mail:
ademirci@fatih.edu.tr.
Accepted
21 November, 2008 |
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This study reports the perceptions and attitudes
of geography teachers towards biotechnology and
genetically-modified (GM) foods in Turkey. A survey was
conducted with secondary school geography teachers attending
teacher workshops in various parts of the country in 2008
and was responded to by 78 teachers from 31 different
provinces. The study not only revealed important results
about the perceptions of geography teachers towards
biotechnology and GM foods but also provided an
understanding of the current perceptions of the public
towards these two fields in the country.
The study revealed that teachers did not have enough
information about biotechnology and GM foods. This lack of
knowledge played an important role in determining teachers’
perceptions and attitudes towards these two fields. The
majority of teachers supported the use of biotechnology for
disease treatment and medicine production. However, their
support declined very sharply with regard to cloning human
cells, producing GM foods, and cloning animals. General
attitudes of teachers to GM foods were mainly negative.
The majority of teachers thought that GM foods were
risky for human health and the environment. This negative
attitude of teachers towards GM foods is likely to continue
until the public becomes better informed about
biotechnological applications and the positive outcomes of
producing GM foods.
Key
words:
Biotechnology, GM foods, perceptions, attitudes, geography
education, Turkey. |
