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Canadians Value Biotechnology and 81 Per Cent Want Governments to Support It Too

23 Sep 2008 - BIOTECanada’s fifth annual National Biotechnology Week launched in Montreal with the release of national polling results showing Canadians overwhelmingly value biotechnology’s contribution to their food, their health, their environment and the economy. The poll, conducted by Nanos Research, found that:
 
- Biotechnology creates prosperity: Almost nine of every ten Canadians (88%) believe biotechnology is important to Canada’s future economic prosperity.
 
- Canadians want to see governments support biotechnology: Eight of every ten Canadians (81%) supported the use of government financial incentives to encourage innovation in biotechnology. Eighty percent thought the health care system should pay more to introduce biotechnological advances into our care.
 
- Quebecers are especially strong supporters of biotechnology: Ninety-two percent of Quebecers (92%) supported biotechnology for research. Compared to the national average, Quebecers were significantly more likely to believe there would be major benefits from biotechnology in the areas of health, environment and agriculture.
 
"These results show that for a fourth year in a row, Canadians expect biotechnology to deliver results - and want to see their governments commit to making this happen,” said Peter Brenders, President and CEO of BIOTECanada. "The biotechnology industry faces challenges of access to capital and market introduction of biotechnological health advances, so it is it is especially positive to hear Canadians indicate support for government funding, and for more health biotechnology.”