Online-Discourse "Genetically Modified Organisms in Developing Countries"
Download and print viewOrganization, process management and evaluation of the online-discourse
"
Genetically Modified Organisms and Food Safety in Developing Countries"
Brief description
"Can genetically modified food contribute to worldwide food safety?"
This question was discussed by the participants of three moderated forums on prospects, risks and global political
conditions of green gene technology. Unlike a face-to-face meeting or conference the discussion of the
online-discourse took place exclusively in the internet. It is an approach to use new media for dialogue
processes.
The internet conference ran for three weeks in June 2004 and was targeted at people
actively involved in development policy and biotechnology. Despite the sometimes heated discussion,
in the end there were important areas of agreement. Most participants tended to be critical of gene
technology and did not see it as a key for solving the hunger problems in developing countries.
Increased production of food alone could not erase the problem of hunger. There was an extensive
debate on whether the farmers should be free to make their own decisions regarding the use of green
gene technology.
Approximately 130 participants from university, non-governmental
organisations and churches, as well as a large number of private persons took part in
the innovative discourse process. More than 200 contributions were made - many of them
with substantial back-up analysis.
Duration
01.02.2004 - 31.7.2004
Project Leader
Christina Benighaus, Dipl. Geogr.
Supervision
Prof. Dr. Ortwin Renn
Initiators
German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Further information
The final report and all contributions of the Forums can be accessed on
www.aktionsprogramm2015.de/onlinediskurs
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