Difference between revisions of "Team:Pretoria UP/Practices"

Survey Results

We expected to see a significant difference in most answers, due to the fact that there is such a big social and economic gap between the two distinct samples we surveyed. The results do show significant differences, but external influences might have had an effect on the results, for instance the videos we showed during our presentation at Lehlabile Secondary School (LSS) focused mainly on the positives of synthetic biology and it resulted that the Lehlabile sample had a more positive mindset when answering the survey. Contrasting to that is the fact that the presentation with those specific videos were not shown to the Pretoria Boys’ High School (PBHS) sample, therefore it is possible that they only knew about mostly the negatives of synthetic biology (or rather genetic modification), as is generally communicated by the mainstream and non-scientific media. However, even when keeping in mind that the conditions were not replicated between the two samples, the results can be accepted as true and are still in line with. We also applied the Bonferroni correction of multiple testing, where P = 0.05/11 = 0.004545455 (as we used 11 calculations)

How old are you?

Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test: P-value = 1.61x10-7
The LLS sample shows a much wider distribution than PBHS, with the averages differing by quite a large margin.
Avg. LLS = 17.5625
Avg. PBHS = 16.85

What grade are you in?

All participants are in Grade 11.

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What is the highest Qualification of your parents?

1. Neither of my parents have their matric
2. Matric
3. Diploma
4. Degree
5. Postgraduate
6. I don’t know or I prefer not to answer

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Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 3.10x10-21
Possibly the biggest difference between the two samples are the qualification of the participant’s parents. Qualification is generally much higher amongst the PBHS group. The fact that such a large proportion of LSS students indicated that they do not know or prefer not to answer, shows that it might not be a priority or they generally do not talk about academic qualifications with their parents. Another explanation might be that they prefer not to answer because they feel ashamed that their parents have not achieved higher academic qualifications.

From which source did you first find out about synthetic biology?

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Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 3.60x10-14
The results of this question might have been heavily influenced by the fact that the same presentation for LSS was not replicated for PBHS. Many participants would have had an idea of synthetic biology which is not necessarily the correct idea. The presentation might have brought a realization to LSS that what they thought they knew were, in fact, wrong and therefore they were more inclined to answer “iGEM”. As this more defined concept of Synthetic biology was not explained to PBHS, they might have come across closely related concepts and mistakenly assumed it is also synthetic biology.

In your opinion, synthetic biology: (you can choose more than one answer)

1. Will revolutionize medicine, agriculture and applied biology within my lifetime
2. I think synthetic biology and DNA technologies are exciting, but I don’t know what to expect in the future
3. Will not affect me directly
4. Is ethical, but should be carefully regulated
5. Is unethical or wrong, and should be banned
6. I am afraid that it will be abused

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Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 9.50x10-11 A general trend can be seen where the PBHS sample feel it will not affect them directly. It can also be seen that both groups are cautious of synthetic biology.

Would you make use of synthetic biology products?

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Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 4.50x10-7
The LSS group are more positive toward the use of synthetic biology products, whereas the PBHS group is generally more indecisive.

Indicate which products you may or may not support

Novel vaccines produced with synthetic DNA

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Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 1.50x10-4

Headache tablet where the active ingredient was produced by genetically engineered yeast grown in a contained laboratory

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Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 1.4x10-2

A genetically modified bacterium that can clean up oil spills in the ocean

Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 5.30x10-9
Both groups seem to be positive towards the use of synthetically created products. Only LSS participants are more cautious about releasing bacteria into the ocean.

Do you think that the public is sufficiently informed and understand advances made in synthetic biology?

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Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 2.20x10-5
Both groups show a clear trend that they believe the general public is ill-informed about synthetic biology

Which filed o you think is the most important in terms of focusing future synthetic biology research?

Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 3.70x10-8
The data obtained from question 9 clearly illustrates the biggest concern for people living in distinctly different environments. While the LSS sample (in a rural environment) want to focus more on agriculture and medicine, the PBHS sample prefer to focus on environmental science. It shows that rural citizens (children specifically) are more concerned with providing food and solving health problems. PBHS participants generally do not experience the same health problems due to better medical services available to them and they also in general do not experience a shortage of food, which LSS participants may experience consistently.

“Synthetic biology can be used to improve the lives of South African citizens”

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Fisher’s exact test: P-value = 2.00x10-10
In general, LSS participants are more “strongly” positive towards synthetic biology than PBHS participants. Again, this might be due to the fact that LSS were shown a positive presentation before completing the survey.

Student Concerns

Concerns about Synthetic biology in LSS

Concerns about Synthetic biology in PBHS

Survey Conclusions

In conclusion, the data shows that people in rural areas are generally more positive towards synthetic biology than those in “privileged” areas. There is definitely a significant difference between the answers of the two samples, as a Fisher’s exact calculation for all but one question (Q7.2) resulted in a P-value < 0.001. This may be due to the fact that those from PBHS are more exposed to the general media and social trends, which are more cautious towards and unsure about the effects of synthetic biology.