Eurobarometer 46.1: Modern Biotechnology, Privacy on Computer Networks, and the Common European Currency, October-November 1996

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This round of Eurobarometer surveys queried respondents on standard Eurobarometer measures such as public awareness of and attitudes toward the European Union (EU), and also focused on modern biotechnology, the common European currency, and privacy on computer networks. With respect to modern biotechnology issues, respondents were asked for their opinions regarding which organizations should regulate modern biotechnology, and the likelihood that in the next 20 years biotechnology would lead to events such as reducing environmental pollution and world hunger, creating dangerous new diseases, solving more crimes through genetic fingerprinting, curing genetic diseases, and producing designer babies. Computer network privacy issues covered respondents' worries about leaving "electronic tracks" of personal identifying information when using computer network services and concerns about the use of information collected from network services for advertising, or by shops, insurance companies, or public bodies. Other data protection questions probed for respondents' willingness to use new communication technologies and electronic services considering that someone else might use their personal information, awareness and concern about using a means of payment on networks that might leave tracks, awareness of laws that protect privacy, the importance of the EU trying to protect personal information, and the importance of worldwide privacy of personal information. Also covered were respondent interest in on-screen computer or television network technologies and in the capabilities these technologies provide, such as getting a medical opinion on a health issue, an on-line guided tour of a museum, receiving instant access to newspapers, taking part in a training program, making it easier to look for a job, taking part in discussion groups, receiving and sending electronic mail, managing bank and financial accounts, and organizing a trip. Common European currency items included whether respondents were for or against one European currency in all member states and why, how well-informed they felt about the common European currency, their knowledge of the conditions member countries must meet in order to join the European Economic and Monetary Union, when notes and coins in the European currency would be introduced, their own country's ability to take part in the Single European Currency in 1999, the consequences for not participating, and what the rate of introduction should be for the common European currency. Questions asked only in Sweden concerned attitudes toward expanding or reducing nuclear power, the respondent's three favorite activities, and highest level of education completed. Demographic items include age, gender, marital status, household size, monthly income, age when stopped full-time education, and occupation.