Public Opinion Concerning

1
Public Opinion Concerning the Canadian
Biotechnology Sector
Robert Daniel Vice President, Public
Affairs Sept 2005
2
Introduction and Methodology

• POLLARA is please to present BIOTECanada with the
  following report of findings from telephone
  interviews conducted with a representative sample
  of Canadians. The purpose of the survey is to
  measure Canadians attitudes regarding the
  biotechnology industry today.
• A total of ten (10) questions were appended to
  POLLARAs Consumer Perspectives omnibus survey.
  Interviews were conducted with Canadians aged 18
  years and older between August 29th and September
  3rd, 2005. In total, 1,286 interviews were
  completed, resulting in an overall margin of
  error of plus or minus 2.7, nineteen times out
  of twenty.

3
The majority of Canadians (56) have no reaction
at all to the term biotechnology.

• Canadians between 25 and 34 years old are the
  most likely to have a positive reaction to
  biotechnology (34).
• Canadians who have obtained a post-secondary
  degree (37 of university graduates and 41 of
  post-graduates) and whos household income is
  higher than 75,000 annually (37) are the most
  likely to have a positive reaction to the term
  biotechnology.

• When you hear the word biotechnology, do you have
  a positive reaction, a negative reaction, or no
  reaction at all?

4
Eight-in-ten (79) Canadians support research and
the use of products and processes that involve
biotechnology.

• Based on what you know about biotechnology, would
  you say you strongly support, somewhat support,
  somewhat oppose or strongly oppose research and
  the use of products and processes that involve
  biotechnology?

5
Few Canadians (10) describe Canada as a world
leader in biotechnology.

• Men between the ages of 18 and 34 are the most
  likely to feel that Canada is making advancements
  in biotechnology (67).

Canada is One of Many Nations Making Advancements

• Which best describes your impression of Canada
  and its advancements in biotechnology? (READ AND
  ROTATE)

6
Canadians agree that biotechnology will bring
benefits to the health sciences, genetics and
agriculture.
Health Sciences Genetics Agriculture

• Do you believe that, overall, biotechnology will
  bring major benefits, modest benefits, modest
  drawbacks or major drawbacks in each of the
  following areas

7
Canadians believe that biotechnology will offer
benefits to their health, the environment and the
Canadian economy.
Canadians Healthin General The Environment The
Canadian Economy

• Do you strongly believe, somewhat believe,
  somewhat doubt, or very much doubt, that
  biotechnology could offer benefits to

8
The majority of Canadians (63) believe that they
will personally benefit from biotechnology in
their lifetime.

• 68 percent of Canadians that either strongly or
  somewhat oppose research in biotechnology also
  believe that they will personally benefit from
  biotechnology in their lifetime.

• Do you believe that you will personally benefit
  from advances in biotechnology in your lifetime?

9
Summary

• The majority of Canadians believe that
  biotechnology will benefit the health sciences,
  genetics, agriculture, their personal health, the
  environment and the economy.
• Eight-in-ten Canadians support further research
  in biotechnology
• The majority of Canadians have no reaction to the
  term biotechnology.
• 90 percent of Canadians are unaware that Canada
  is a world leader in the biotechnology industry.
• The biotechnology industry needs to do more to
  educate Canadians about the risks in a creditable
  manner.
• The economic benefits of the biotechnology
  industry have been overlooked.
• Theres an opportunity for technology partners to
  assert a primary source of reliable information
  pertaining to biotechnology.

10
Robert Daniel, Vice President Public Affairs 101
Yorkville Avenue, Suite 301 Toronto, Canada M5R
1C1 Tel [phone] / Fax [phone] www.poll
ara.com