TITLE:
High School Students’ Attitudes Associated with Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics Concepts in Brazil
AUTHORS:
Alexandre de Sá Freire, Márcia Cristina Fernandes Xavier, Milton Ozório Moraes
KEYWORDS:
Science Teaching; Biotechnology; Opinion; Genetics; Molecular Biology; DNA
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.4 No.2,
February
7,
2013
ABSTRACT: There is an enormous gap between scientific
production and scientific education in Genetics and Bio-technology concerning stem cells, transgenics,
genetically engineered medicines and so on. In order to investigate the
knowledge and the perception of these concepts among teenagers, a total of 334
surveys were distributed to high school students in one private and two state
schools in theRio de Janeirostate,Brazil.
Interviews were also used as a qualitative tool to assess the validity of the
data obtained in the surveys. Students reported clear ideas about transgenics,
but not about genetic engineering of recombinant medication or genomics. The
results suggest that when issues are discussed,instead of being explained, they are better
assimilated by students, and that association of information in the press with
school classes may help to spread scientific concepts.