The data uncover broad optimism as well as stark regional disparities and cultural obstacles in the West that must be addressed to increase public acceptance of breakthrough innovations / More than 13,000 people surveyed in 13 countries representing every continent except Antarctica / The survey explored the public’s perceptions of cell and gene therapies, AI in medicine, new genomic techniques (NGTs) in agriculture, and cultivated meat

Berlin, Germany, January 20, 2025 – As leaders gather for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos, Leaps by Bayer, the impact investing arm of Bayer, and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) announced the launch of one of the largest surveys examining global public sentiment towards transformative technology. The field work was conducted by market research company Ipsos. The Study gleans actionable insights for innovators and leaders who share a responsibility to engage the public. The survey results uncover people’s hopes, fears, and concerns around the world, revealing challenges and opportunities for those working to advance new technologies for human health and nutrition.

Among the key findings:

• Optimism Toward Science Is Higher in Certain Regions: 72 percent of respondents are optimistic about the direction in which the world is heading in terms of science and technology, far more than other forces in society, such as the economy (39 percent) or politics and global affairs (31 percent). Middle-income countries, e.g. China (86 percent) and Nigeria (94 percent), are more optimistic about science than h…