Browsing by Author "Vedlitz, Arnold"

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    Research Project
    Gene Drive Applications to Agriculture in Texas: Knowledge, Perceptions, and Values
    Public Service And Administration; TAMU; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14641/506; USDA-National Institute of Food And Agriculture
    This project evaluates the environment for public and stakeholder engagement around the potential research, development, and use of gene drive technology in the control of agricultural pests in Texas. The focus of this project is to understand the social impacts, perceived risks, underlying values, and potential behavioral responses of Texans to gene drive technologies in agriculture, with specific reference to four potential pest control applications as case studies. We believe that it is possible to convey to consumers, growers, and other stakeholders and decision-makers, sufficient knowledge about the complex science of gene drives and their possible uses in agriculture to generate an informed public understanding of gene drives' potential benefits and hazards, uncertainties, overall acceptability, and appropriate governance. More specifically, we believe that by examining how the science and its potential impacts are communicated to the public, stakeholders, and decision-makers, we can identify (1) how this information shapes the formation of public opinion and stakeholders' perspectives, and (2) how values, related perceptions of risk, and the trust in science affect views on the development and deployment of gene drive applications.
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    Research Project
    P30 Yr 2 Pilot- Public Opinion Survey on Environmental Health Risk Perceptions and Policy Preferences
    Institute For Science, Techology And Pub; TAMU; https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14641/506; DHHS-NIH-National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
    Project Overview: The Community, Regulation, and Policy Team conducted an online representative national public opinion survey with representative oversamples in Texas, Harris County, and Hidalgo County. This survey used theoretically based questions to tap into public knowledge, trust, concerns, and policy preferences regarding environmentally based individual and community health threats. The team will use the results of this survey to find out: 1. What people know about the role of the environment in their health status 2. How familiar people are with specific environmental health threats in their communities and those that may pose more specific threats for particularly vulnerable populations 3. Public trust in science and government 4. Public expectations of government and the private sector to reduce and adapt to these threats Furthermore, the data collected from this survey can be used to help frame current and future scientific research, extending its reach and relevance, and to help guide community engagement activities. We will collaborate with the TiCER scientists to identify solutions that could be implemented for specific environmental health threats and identified public health problems.