Public acceptance of vaccination and Genetically Modified (GM) food is low and opposition is stiff. During two science festivals in France, we discussed in small groups the scientific evidence and current consensus on the benefits of vaccination and GM food safety. Our interventions reinforced people’s positive opinions on vaccination and produced a drastic positive shift of GM food opinions. Despite the controversial nature of the topics discussed, there were very few cases of backfire effects among the 175 participants who volunteered. These results should encourage scientists to engage more often with the public during science festivals, even on heated topics. Abstract

中文翻译：

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科学节是讨论热门话题的好地方吗？

公众对疫苗接种和转基因食品的接受程度很低，反对意见也很坚决。在法国的两个科学节期间，我们以小组讨论了疫苗接种和转基因食品安全性的科学证据和当前共识。我们的干预措施增强了人们对疫苗接种的积极看法，并极大地改变了转基因食品的看法。尽管讨论的主题具有争议性，但自愿参加的175名参与者中很少有事与愿违的后果。这些结果应鼓励科学家在科学节期间甚至在激烈的话题上更多地与公众互动。抽象