Biotech Updates

Multi-Stakeholders' Role in Biotech Debate

July 17, 2009

Science communication plays an important role in promoting an open and transparent debate about crop biotechnology. This debate guarantees responsible use of the technology and assures stakeholders of having a choice or say in its adoption. Stakeholders or the so-called attentive publics are critically involved in framing the debate, shaping policy, influencing public opinion, and creating greater awareness and understanding of biotechnology. Together these stakeholders such as farmers, media practitioners, policy makers, scientists, academics, religious leaders, and the industry sector determine the direction and depth of the biotech debate, and ultimately the acceptance, adoption, and sustainability of technology.

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) has released Brief 40 on Communicating Crop Biotechnology: Stories from Stakeholders. It documents how various stakeholders have benefited from science communication efforts and how in turn, they are now part of the process of realizing a collective voice on crop biotechnology. Stories from stakeholders in 14 countries in Africa (Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda) and Asia (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam) as well as the global community show that despite the differences in culture, language, and geographical locations, they have similar experiences, face common problems, and share a hope for themselves and their family.

Stories are complemented by discussions on communication strategies that were implemented and specific activities that stakeholders participated in or use to better understand the technology. These personal accounts unfolded distinct patterns of experiences, perceptions, and behavior but converged to form a common thread to show the impact of knowledge sharing initiatives.

Download the Brief at http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/40/  or download the document by sections (Introduction, Farmers, Media, Decision Makers, Academics & Scientists, Religious Sector, Other Partners, Global Community, Appendix)