Abstract

NAKAYAMA, Héctor-David; RODRIGUEZ-ALCALA, Alide; SAMUDIO- OGGERO, Antonio  and  MUSSI, Carlos-Emilio. Public perception about nuclear technology. Asunción, Paraguay. Poblac.Desarro. [online]. 2017, vol.23, n.44, pp.16-26. ISSN 2076-054X.  https://doi.org/10.18004/pdfce/2076-054x/2017.023(44)016-026.

Genetic breeding of plants has the goal of obtaining the genotypes that produce the characteristics with better adaptation for human needs in certain circumstances. Plant Genetics offered the breeder the knowledge to make his work more efficient. Almost all modern varieties come from traditional breeding. Other methods such as the induction of mutations, the use of somaclonal variation alone or in combination with the above, and the transfer of foreign genes by genetic engineering have been used with point results. In 2010, the use of nuclear technology as a tool in the genetic crops breeding, supported by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was incorporated in Paraguay. Faced with a society that consumes products generated by the induction of mutations and irradiated food for its conservation, we pose the challenge of probing how the population perceives the use of nuclear technology; to achieve this goal, we applied a survey at the entrance of supermarkets in Asunción. We are faced with a scenario with an population with practically complete level of schooling, able to understand, to reason and to express an opinion on a specific topic. It is reported mostly on the internet, social networks and television. In terms of nuclear technology, while 91% believe that it is risky, more than half of those who have ever heard of it think it can be beneficial.

Keywords : public-perception; nuclear-technology; Paraguay.

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