Abstract
Rising seawater temperatures are contributing to coral degradation in the Great Barrier Reef. Synthetic biology technologies offer the potential to enhance coral resilience to higher water temperatures. To explore what the public think of genetically engineered coral as a future solution, qualitative responses to an open-ended question in a survey of 1,148 of the Australian public were analysed. More respondents supported the technology (59%) than did not (11%). However, a considerable proportion indicated moderate support (29%). Participants commented about the (moral) right to interfere with nature and uncertainty regarding the consequences of implementing the technology. Participants also mentioned the need to take responsibility and act to save the reef, as well as the benefits likely to result from implementing the technology. Other themes included a desire for further testing and proof, more information, and tight regulation and controls when introducing the technology.
Highlights
The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in Australia holds significant value–both economic and noneconomic [1]
Significant coral loss has been estimated across the GBR, especially in the northern region, with an estimated 65% decline in coral cover since 2013 and an observed 10% coral cover in 2017, the lowest coral cover in 30 years of monitoring [4]
Our study extends on this research by revealing that awareness and knowledge of a specific synthetic biology technology application–that is, genetically engineered coral– is relatively low across the Australian population
Summary
The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in Australia holds significant value–both economic and noneconomic [1]. Given the increasing severity and occurrence of coral bleaching–coupled with the Australian public’s strong affinity with the GBR [4]–it is essential that we understand whether and why the public would accept synthetic biology solutions for the GBR, prior to the technology being released or even developed in the first instance By exploring these issues as early as possible, it will enable researchers to prepare for, and manage, likely public concerns in a responsible and effective manner. In the current study, we undertook an exploratory assessment of self-generated reasons for public support (or lack thereof) for a synthetic biology solution (i.e. heat resistant coral) to the problem of coral loss due to climate-related factors Once these factors are identified, it may be possible to theorise and experimentally test the causal influences on technology acceptance in this sphere. What potentially influences peoples’ decisions about the acceptability of developing genetically engineered coral?
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