Breakthrough Science: A Global Perspective

A groundbreaking new global study with market research by Ipsos, commissioned by Leaps by Bayer and BCG, unveils public perceptions of four transformative technologies: AI in healthcare, cell and gene therapies, new genomic techniques in agriculture, and cultivated meat.

Over 13,000 individuals across 13 countries globally offered their insights, providing a crucial glimpse into the future of these fields.

Key findings include:

• 72% 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%) or politics and global affairs (31%)
• 64% feel positive about the impact of AI on the future of human health, and 74% are optimistic about the potential for cell and gene therapy to cure diseases
• 56% of respondents hold a positive opinion of new genomic techniques, cultivated meat drew the least support of the four innovations we analysed, with 39% expressing a positive view

Discover what people think about these advancements and what it means for the future of these fields.

Read the full report here: How Society Feels About Breakthrough Science

Technical note:

A 15-minute online survey was conducted by Ipsos between 27th August 2024 and 18th October 2024, amongst adults aged 18+ from 13 countries including: the United States, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, China, South Africa, Australia, India, Nigeria.

The total sample was 13,111 (1,000 in each US, Germany, Italy, France, and Australia; 1,001 in each Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, India; 1,002 in each South Africa and Japan; 1,003 in Singapore; and 1,100 in China). Participants were recruited from market research panels, and quotas were imposed to ensure national representation based on region, age and gender and employment status (as well as ethnicity in the US). The total number of interviews across the 13 countries was weighted to “country averages” (giving each country the same weight in the total), and weighting has been employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample’s composition reflects that of the adult population according to the most recent census data on region, age, gender, employment, and ethnicity in the USA.

No weighting was applied to adjust on any other demographic. Due to the online manner of the survey, the survey results should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of the population.

Authors and contributors to the report across Leaps by Bayer / Bayer, BCG and Ipsos are:

Leaps by Bayer / Bayer:

• Matthias Berninger
• Dr. Jürgen Eckhardt
• André Guillaume
• Kira Peikoff
• Karyn Riegel
• Nicki Saee
• Nicholas Schleyer

BCG

• Dr. Torsten Kurth
• Dr. Freidrich Möckel
• Pascal Peters
• Sofia Torres Venegas
• Judith Wallenstein
• Dr. Friedemann Wolf

Ipsos 

• Chloe Amor
• Hattie Palmer
• Serena Urzi