A groundbreaking collaboration between Leaps by Bayer, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Ipsos has shed light on how Europeans perceive the promise of breakthrough science amid an era of accelerating technological change. The Bayer-BCG study, titled "How Society Feels About Breakthrough Science," captures public sentiment across multiple countries, revealing a nuanced picture of optimism tempered by caution, particularly in high-income European nations like France, Germany, and Italy.
Conducted in 2025 with over 13,000 respondents from 13 countries—including key European players—the quantitative survey highlights robust global faith in science and technology, with 72% expressing optimism about its future direction. This figure surpasses positivity toward the economy (39%) or politics (31%). In Europe, however, levels are more subdued: France at 53%, Germany aligning with high-income trends around 54%, and Italy slightly higher at 66%. These attitudes reflect a continent grappling with rapid innovation while prioritizing safety, regulation, and human-centered applications.
Global Optimism Contrasted with European Realities 🌍
Globally, the study underscores strong support for science-driven solutions to pressing challenges. Seventy-one percent believe breakthroughs will enhance human health, 69% anticipate better access to nutritious food, and 58% expect environmental progress. Lower- and middle-income countries lead in enthusiasm—Nigeria at 94% optimism for science, China at 86%—while Western Europe shows restraint, influenced by stringent regulations and cultural emphasis on precaution.
In France, Germany, and Italy, healthcare innovations dominate positive views. Respondents prioritize addressing serious diseases and strained systems, viewing science as a pathway to efficiency and equity. Yet, agricultural advancements lag, hampered by historical GMO skepticism and EU policies from 2001 that restrict genetic modifications, despite 47% positivity toward new genomic techniques (NGTs) like CRISPR for crops.
Technology-Specific Attitudes in Europe
Breakthroughs in healthcare elicit the strongest endorsement. Sixty-four percent globally—and similarly in Europe—are positive about artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, seeing it as a tool for faster diagnostics and personalized care. Cell and gene therapies (CGT) fare even better, with 74% optimism for curing conditions like Parkinson's, though 48% express side-effect concerns, rising to 58% among Gen Z.
Agricultural innovations face hurdles. NGTs garner 56% global positivity for resilient, nutritious crops, but Europe's 47% reflects regulatory caution—34% neutral, 12% opposed. Cultivated meat is least embraced, with only 39% global positivity; in France, 33% are negative, Germany 28%, though Italy shows 46% willingness to try despite bans. These disparities stem from perceptions of 'naturalness' and distance from farming—less than 1% of Germans work in agriculture.
Generational Shifts Driving European Optimism
Younger Europeans fuel positivity. Gen Z (born 1997-2012) and Millennials exhibit higher support: 76-78% optimistic on CGT, 69-71% on AI healthcare, versus 55-70% for older cohorts. For NGTs, Gen Z reaches 61%, cultivated meat 46%—double Baby Boomers' 27-35%.
This trend holds in Europe, where Gen Z's familiarity with tech (41% feel informed on CGT vs. 17% Boomers) boosts acceptance, though anxiety persists over affordability and access. A follow-up 2026 qualitative report, "Decoding the 'Why'," based on German interviews, notes Gen Z's tension: excitement for AI efficiency but fear of 'hallucinations' and skill erosion. One German Gen Z respondent said, "AI can create images where anyone can be placed in any situation... that's frightening."
Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash
Climate Concerns and Agricultural Innovation
With 77% of high-income Europeans worried about climate change, concern correlates with openness to ag tech. Climate-anxious respondents are 60% positive on NGTs (vs. 39% unconcerned), citing resilient crops (80%) and reduced waste (78%). Cultivated meat appeals more to the worried (57% likely to try vs. 36%), prioritizing environmental impact (46%).
Explore the climate snapshot report for deeper correlations.
Yet, Europe's food security feels abstract, muting urgency compared to health crises.
Qualitative Insights from Germany: Mindsets and Anxieties
The 2026 report delves into German views via interviews, identifying three fluid mindsets: Optimists (progress-focused), Rationalists (evidence-demanding persuadables), and Skeptics (value-protectors like naturalness). Germans emphasize safety and regulation—AI must augment doctors ("like a stethoscope"), CGT needs insurance coverage.
Rapid change breeds anxiety: 71% worry AI erodes empathy, NGTs/cultivated meat challenge 'nature provides everything.' A German Boomer Skeptic noted on cultivated meat, "We’re moving further from nature." Implications urge transparent, expert-led communication to shift neutrals (31% on NGTs).
Trust, Knowledge, and Policy Implications for Europe
Trust gaps persist: 62% global trust in health authorities, but Germany's 52% trails China's 73%. Knowledge boosts positivity—higher awareness links to acceptance. EU policies misalign with views; proposed NGT deregulation could harness 47% support.
Innovators should engage via panels, tastings, emphasizing human oversight. For Europe, bridging West-East divides—via education on benefits—could elevate optimism.
Read the full 2025 quantitative report for charts and data.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Researchers and Policymakers
European academics echo findings. Juergen Eckhardt of Leaps by Bayer stresses listening to hopes/fears. BCG's analysis highlights Western cultural obstacles like 'naturalness' bias. Case: Italy's higher cultivated meat openness (46% try likelihood) vs. France's 13% suggests cultural variance.
- Health urgency drives CGT/AI support.
- Ag tech needs climate-food waste framing.
- Gen Z demands accountability.
Future Outlook: Aligning Innovation with European Values
Amid rapid change, Europe's optimism—strongest in youth, health—offers potential. The Bayer-BCG study calls for proactive engagement: transparent trials, policy alignment, public discourse. As breakthroughs accelerate, fostering trust could unlock 72% global levels locally, ensuring science serves society.
Download the 2026 Decoding report for strategies.
European universities, leading in CGT/AI research, stand to benefit by championing ethical innovation.
Stakeholders from research institutions to policymakers must heed these insights, turning neutral sentiment into endorsement for sustainable progress.