Erring on the side of caution?: the heterogeneity of public perceptions of biotechnology applications in the European Union

The article focuses on public perception of biotechnology in European Union countries and the risk-averse "precautionary principle." Public perceptions can constrain risk regulation concerning the application of biotechnology. There is evidence of heterogeneity in public perceptions of different biotechnology applications in relation to the acceptance of risk. Research methods include data from two Eurobarometer surveys of 1996 and 1999. Topics include the endogenous regulation model and a single risk policy rule.