Abstract

Data from two studies examined the: (a) attitudes and behavioral intentions of the public regarding the use of genetic engineering (GE) for addressing chestnut blight and helping to restore American chestnut trees (AC); and (b) extent that these attitudes and intentions are susceptible to message framing. Data from a representative sample of the United States public (n = 278) showed this sample felt, on average, neutral to slightly positive about using GE to restore AC trees. The majority (57%) would vote for this use of GE and were certain of these intentions. Data from an experiment (multiple treatments) conducted with other members of the public (n = 528), however, showed that these attitudes and intentions are susceptible to persuasion, as both between- and within-subjects comparisons showed that support dropped dramatically once messages provided negative or opposing arguments. Negatively worded information coupled with messages about scientific consensus in opposition yielded the most negative responses.

摘要

来自两项研究的数据检验了：(a) 公众对使用基因工程 (GE) 解决板栗枯萎病和帮助恢复美国板栗树 (AC) 的态度和行为意图；(b) 这些态度和意图易受信息框架影响的程度。来自美国公众的代表性样本 ( n  = 278) 的数据显示，该样本平均而言对使用 GE 恢复 AC 树持中立到略微积极的态度。大多数人 (57%) 会投票支持这种使用 GE，并且对这些意图很确定。来自与其他公众成员进行的实验（多次处理）的数据 ( n = 528)，然而，表明这些态度和意图容易被说服，因为受试者之间和受试者内部的比较表明，一旦信息提供了消极或相反的论点，支持率就会急剧下降。消极措辞的信息加上反对科学共识的信息产生了最消极的反应。