1. Have you heard the term bioethics before?
No - 19 votes (33%)
2.
Do you think advances in biotechnology cause social and ethical conflicts?
Yes - 6 votes (10%)
Sometimes - 34 votes (54%)
Not at all - 19 votes (30%)
Don't know - 4 votes (6%)
Total votes - 63
3. Is bioethics given prominent importance in Malaysia?
Yes - 6 votes (10%)
Not sufficient - 24 votes (40%)
No - 19 votes (32%)
Total votes - 60
4.
Do we need a national council on bioethics that can act as an advisory
board for the government as well as a platform for deliberating issues
related to bioethics?
Yes - 37 votes (61%)
Maybe - 13 votes (22%)
Not yet - 10 voted (17%)
Don't know - 0 votes (0%)
Total votes - 60
In line with recent advancements and penetration of biotechnology in various sectors, MABIC polled readers on their views on bioethics. Of the 58 who responded, 19 had not encountered the term before.
Gauging readers' beliefs on whether advances in biotechnology could cause social and ethical conflict, six out of 63 believed that it would, while 34 pronounced their reservations by responding "maybe". 19 believed that such advances are not cause for ethical concerns while a further four had no comment.
When questioned whether they believed that bioethics was given sufficient importance in Malaysia, only six answered "yes" while 24 acknowledged the focus but also mentioned that it was insufficient. 19 out of the 60 who responded maintained that the focus on bioethics wa s not sufficient at all, and a further 11 had no comments.
Lastly, when question on the need for the establishment of a national advisory council with regards to bioethics, 62% of the 60 questioned believed that it was imperative, while 22% remained speculative. On the other hand, 17% of respondents did not believe so.
