79% of youth want more money spent on scientific research

WE are in favour of furthering scientific research but are cautious about technology and possible health risks, according to an EU-wide survey. Some 79% of young Irish people think the Government should spend more money on scientific research.

On the other hand, advances in technology and the sciences have also made people aware of new risks.

The Eurobarometer survey found that four out of 10 people in Ireland think that using a mobile phone might be dangerous for their health. At the same time, 86% think that there's a health risk involved in living near a nuclear power plant. And more than half think that GM foods pose a health risk.

The research was conducted among almost 25,000 young people aged 15-25 in 27 EU countries.

More than 1,000 Irish people were interviewed by phone for the research between September 9 and 13. Other findings revealed that 88% of young Irish people think science and technology make lives healthier, easier and more comfortable while 61% think that it could help to eliminate global poverty and hunger.

However, while Irish youths were cautious about mobile phones, other EU members were less concerned. Only 13% of Finns thought there were any health risks links associated with mobile phones.

But while Irish people might be adverse to mobile phones, they are very aware about developments with the technology.

Some 84% of Irish 15-25 year-olds said they had heard about innovations in mobile phone technology and were interested in them. This is the second-highest level of interest of all Europeans - second only to the Maltese (93%).

The survey also revealed that almost six in every 10 Irish young people feel that living near high-tension power lines might be dangerous. This was more or less in line with the EU average (54%). Elsewhere in Europe, only 21% of Finnish respondents thought there was the same risk but 86% of Portuguese see living near power lines as a possible health risk.

Surprisingly though, while young Irish people are enthusiastic about scientific developments, only a small number would consider formally studying science-related subjects.

Less than a third are thinking about studying biology, medicine or engineering and only a fifth are considering studying natural sciences.