Majority of Europeans favour life sciences over biotechnologies. - The most recent Eurobarometer survey into life sciences and biotechnologies (2010) shows that Europeans are optimistic about biotechnology (EUROPE 10255). Of the respondents 53% believe biotechnology will have a positive effect in the future, and only 20% a negative effect. Among the 53% of EU residents optimistic about biotechnology, people in the following countries were particularly positive - Estonia 77%, Sweden 72%, Finland 69%. The only member state where those who felt biotechnology would have a negative effect outnumbered the optimists was Austria - 41% as against 35%. Among the seven most widespread technologies, only one survey illustrates an equal percentage of respondents (39%) for and against nuclear energy. Of the respondents 87% were in favour of solar energy as opposed to 4% against; 84% of people interviewed were in favour of wind energy (4% against); 59% of those asked were in favour of research into cerebral and cognitive development, with 11% against; 53% supported biotechnologies and genetic engineering, with 20% against; space exploration obtained 47% support, whilst 40% of those interviewed said they did not know what is involved. There was overwhelming support for medical applications of biotechnology, subject to strict laws. Of respondents 63% approved embryonic stem cell research, up from 59% in 2005; 69% conditionally supported other stem cell research, up from 65%; and 63% supported gene therapy compared to 54% five years ago. Another 15-18% were prepared to accept the above applications in special circumstances. The countries where most respondents were supportive of these applications overall were the UK, Spain and Denmark. A clear majority of Europeans (61%, up from 57% in 2005) remains broadly opposed to GM food. Respondents cite safety concerns, a perceived absence of benefits and general unease. However, there is cautious support for new “technolite” generations of GM food applications - for example introducing genes from crab apples into eating apples, with 46% of respondents in favour as against 38% opposition. There was also strong opposition to animal cloning for food with only 18% supporting this. (I.L./transl.fl)