With the use of nuclear power now a topical issue, findings from a Swinburne University of Technology report reveal most Australians are uncomfortable with the idea of nuclear power plants in their own country.

Data collected from 1000 Australian adults in late October 2006 as part of the Swinburne National Technology and Science Monitor suggests substantial discomfort among Australians.

On average, the level of comfort with nuclear power plants was quite low: 69% of Australians were uncomfortable or unsure, with just 31% reporting some degree of comfort.

The Monitor provides an annual snapshot of public perceptions of technological change. Respondents were asked how comfortable they felt with a range of current technologies including stem cell research and genetically modified food.

Lead researcher Dr Elizabeth Hardie said the results showed the need for the government to heed public concerns regarding nuclear power.

“Finding clean, sustainable energy sources is a crucial issue, but much more informed debate and discussion is needed before Australia takes the nuclear path,” Dr Hardie said.

Results showed that men were more comfortable with nuclear technology than women. Greater comfort with nuclear power plants was strongly associated with a high degree of comfort with other controversial technologies: genetically modified foods, stem cell research and cloning human babies.

Other key findings included that Australians were very comfortable with the rate of technological change overall, however the degree of comfort with genetically modified plants and animals for food is relatively low.