Abstract
To promote public understanding of biotechnology, gene literacy education should be introduced to the general public. An effective conduit for reaching a broad sector of society is high schools into which more than 95% of young people in Japan enter currently. Gene education involving laboratory activity, namely, recombinant DNA laboratory practice for secondary education, is effective for obtaining literate students, because practical hands-on activities engage student's attention and deepen their understanding of biotechnology. To be most successful, we found that gene literacy education requires the collaborative efforts of teachers and scientists, and inter-school cooperation status. Other than similar practice for general public, science cafe is now becoming popular. In the cafe, an informal and intimate space, the speaker can communicate with audience directly and deeply. I wish more scientists attend these attempts as part of our responsibility of explaining scientific activities.
