Human Practices | ELTE

As a part of our Human Practice, our team prepared a survey to ask people's opinions about genetically modified organisms and how acceptable they consider the use of GMOs for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The answers helped prove the feasibility of our team's project and provided information about GMOs to the respondents.

Since this questionnaire was handy for us, we are publishing it below to help the work of future iGEM teams!

General pieces of information

Your gender:

Male
Female
Other

Your age:

18 below
18-25
26-35
16-45
46-55
Over 55
I would not like to answer

What is your highest educational level?

I have no educational qualifications
Less than primary education
Primary education
Vocational secondary school certificate
Secondary school leaving certificate
Higher education diploma at a non-university level
University degree, diploma
Higher than a university degree
Other

The settlement where you live:

Capital
Chief town of a county
Town
Village, parish
Farm, hamlet
Do not know
I would not like to answer
Other

About GMOs in brief

Do you know what the abbreviation GMO stands for?

Where did you hear about GMOs? (Multiple answers are possible.)

In secondary school/high school
On TV/newspaper/radio
At university
In a scientific journal/popular science journal
From non-governmental organizations
In political groups
From an acquaintance
You have never heard of it
Other

What is your opinion on the use of GMOs?

Totally reject
It is acceptable under certain conditions
Find it perfectly acceptable
Uncertain

In your opinion, in which areas should GMO organisms be used? (Multiple answers are possible.)

For scientific work
In therapy
In agro-culture/food production
None of the above
Other

Europe has strict regulations on GMO organisms. Would you mitigate these to facilitate the use of these technologies (whether in agriculture or therapeutics)?

Which of the following do you think could be GMOs? (Multiple answers are possible.)

A chemical substance that may be dangerous to the body
Hybrid corn
Bacteria that produce human insulin
Bacteria that produce biodegradable plastic
Meat hybrid chicken

What do you think about GMO organisms?

Solutions to the world's pressing problems
Dangerous because we interfere with the natural order
I don't know much about them, so I can't take a stand
Other

Have you ever heard of genetically modified organisms?

Genetic modification is now routine work. We can easily create plants that produce nutrients and vitamins important to our bodies that they would not be able to produce in the first place. Would you support the cultivation of such plants?

GMO organisms in medicine

Do you think there are harmless bacteria in our bodies?

Yes
Perhaps yes
Perhaps no
No
Do not know

Do you think bacteria can colonize cancer tissue?

Yes
Perhaps yes
Perhaps no
No
Do not know

Which of the following do you consider appropriate for the use of GMO organisms in medicine? (Multiple answers are possible.)

Therapeutic agent
Diagnostic agent
Preventive agent
None of them
Other

Where do you get information on health issues?

From my doctor
From someone with a medical qualification
Online: websites on health issues
Online: forums, online groups (Facebook, etc.)
From family, friends, and other lay people
From naturopaths
From health and well-being magazines
Other

Which dosage form would you prefer for a GMO-based therapy? (Multiple answers are possible.)

Oral tablets
Lubricant
Patch for skin
As a suppository (anal, vaginal)
None of them
Other

Would you request a new GMO-based therapy if there is an existing therapy already in use?

Yes, but only if the previous method involved surgery and the new one doesn't. (Less invasive.)
Yes, if it is cheaper than the method used so far.
Yes, if it is more efficient than the method used so far.
Yes, if it is less risky than other methods.
Yes, but only if I have no other options (e.g. other methods have failed).
Yes, definitely, if the doctor recommends it.
No, I'd rather stick to the tried and tested method.

By modifying the bacteria that is part of the gut microbiota, intestinal cancer can be killed (the bacteria is delivered to the tumor in tablet or suppository form and take effect). Would you dare to ask for this treatment for yourself or a close relative?

Yes
No
Other

Why? (Briefly explain your previous answer.)

By modifying the bacteria that are part of the normal intestinal flora, breast cancer can be killed. (Injected into the bloodstream, the bacteria reach the tumor and take effect.) Would you dare to ask for such treatment for yourself or a loved one?

Yes
No
Other

Why? (Briefly explain your previous answer.)

How much do you worry about the following things about bacteria-based therapies? (1 - not at all, 5 - very much)

Bacteria gets into the bloodstream
I get bacteria in my body as a suppository
A foreign organism gets into my body
Causes inflammation in the body
It multiplies in my body
A mutation occurs in the bacterium and has an effect different from the original

In addition to getting helpful answers from people and getting to know their opinions about GMOs through the questionnaire above, we felt we should reciprocate it by giving something in return. That's why we put together an informational poster about genetically modified and refined products to help distinguish the concepts and make nowadays’ research more understandable.

We also publish this poster here so that it can reach as many people as possible and help the Human Practice of other iGEM teams.