By Donald Zuhn --
A survey commissioned by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) shows that 89% of respondents believe patents provide the protection, time, and funding researchers to work on major technological discoveries, and therefore, are a "good thing." The survey also showed that while 51% respondents had reservations about DNA-based patents, those respondents could support them because such patents allow biotech companies to work on treatments and cures for deadly diseases.
The results of the survey were summarized in the December issue of BIO's e-newsletter BIOtech NOW. The survey, which was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, assessed the views of 400 "elite" voters, which were defined as voters having a college degree, a household income of more than $75,000, and who closely follow current events.
According to the article in BIOtech NOW, the survey highlighted the need for DNA patent proponents to explain to the public that:
• further research can still take place during the life of the patent;
• when the patent expires, it's freely available to the public;
• the opposition has already inserted "gene patents" and "human gene patents" into the vernacular of this debate, terms that produce the negative reactions;
• it would be helpful to adopt alternative terms, such as "genome sequence patents," "DNA-based patents" or "DNA patents."
The survey, which was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, assessed the views of 400 "elite" voters, which were defined as voters having a college degree, a household income of more than $75,000, and who closely follow current events ... and whom are also employed by a BIO corporation or local law firm.
lulz
If they did an actual survey of people with only the qualifications you listed then 95%+ would respond that they are totally ignorant of the whole subject and would have to be led by the hand by the questioner/quenstion sheet. Unfortunately.
Posted by: 6 | January 10, 2011 at 02:07 PM
In a way this is rather hilarious though. It shows you can barely hand pick a sample of people such that you get a majority in support of gene patents.
Posted by: 6 | January 10, 2011 at 02:09 PM