Perception and Attitudes Towards Biotechnology in Hungary

Surveys on science and technology indicate that in general, women are less interested in, and less supportive of science and technology than are men. However, differences between women and men highly depend on the specific technology, and amongst the more educated groups gender differences tend to be rather small. According to recent empirical data, Hungarian attitudes towards biotechnology are not significantly determined by gender. Women as a social group do not identify as supporters of or opponents to these technologies, although certain gender-specific concerns are expressed, as for example in the case of consumption of genetically modified (GM) food. This paper first presents some background information followed by data collected by international and national surveys related to science-society, biotechnology and gender issues. Next, it introduces two examples for biotechnology-related legislation: (i) the special legislation introduced in Hungary concerning production of MON 810 corn, and (ii) the law regulating assisted procreation. The paper concludes that although feminism on the part of civil organisations has not overtly appeared in processes leading to the above laws, women play an important role in expert bodies influencing the regulation of biotechnology.