ON-LINE BIO-TECH DEBATE
Rod Harbinson | 25.10.2001 22:28
How far can gene technology be trusted to provide a safe and sustainable
solution to the problem of hunger? Should privately funded research only
benefit those who funded it? Will eating genetically engineered food
affect our health in the long term? Do we have sufficient scientific evidence
and information to make any judgments about these issues at all?
solution to the problem of hunger? Should privately funded research only
benefit those who funded it? Will eating genetically engineered food
affect our health in the long term? Do we have sufficient scientific evidence
and information to make any judgments about these issues at all?
You are invited to take part in an online debate; Biotechnology and
Food: voices from a Southern perspective.
From our experiences and the experiences of other people throughout the world we are searching for answers to such questions. In many countries changing climate conditions, natural disasters, and population pressure demand an urgent solution to the problem of food security. Gene technology seems to offer promising solutions, but is this a technology that can be applied with trust and if so, under what conditions?
We would like to invite you to take part in an online event organised by
The European Network University (www.netuni.nl) and the Biotechnology
and Development Monitor (www.biotech-monitor.nl). The Monitor is a quarterly
journal concerned with the socioeconomic impacts of biotechnology in
developing countries. Both organizations are based in Amsterdam. The aim
of the event is to exchange experiences, explore opinions and generate new
insights on the issue of genetically engineered food. This event is
unique in that it aims to draw together those concerned with agriculture, food
production and development in an international debate where the agenda
is set by the priorities of those most closely affected by food insecurity.
Why? We have called our online debate Southern Voices. It is a response
to the activity and discussion surrounding a Dutch Government initiative
The Terlouw Commission - to involve public and private interest groups in
the debate about gene technology and food. This discussion has considerable
implications outside the borders of the Netherlands itself. The
complexity and global character of the agricultural chain and the intensity of
trade in agricultural products with developing countries means that the issue
of introducing genetically modified food crops is of critical importance to
policy makers, researchers, civil society organisations and consumers,
throughout the South.
How? The online debate will be divided into two rounds. The first round
is set up around four dichotomies. These are: Food Safety vs. Food
Security, Local vs. Global, Organic Farming vs. GMO's and Public vs. Private. Each
dichotomy has a virtual 'room'. Each room will be moderated by an expert
in their field. The goal of the first round is to let participants
brainstorm on those issues they consider most relevant in the discussion on gene
technology and food. In the second round, the 'deep' round,
participants will have the opportunity to enter into an in depth discussion on the
key topics that have been identified in round 1.
When? The first round will run from 31 October 2001 to 1 of November
2001. The second round will begin shortly afterwards, and run from 6-13 of
November 2001.
How can you join? You can register as a participant on our site:
www.southernvoices.nl
What about the results? Round one will result in a 'topic map' available
online before the second round starts. A report of the second round will
be published online. You can immediately view the results of the discussion
you contributed to. This report will be presented to the TerlouwCommission for consideration in the further discussion on Dutch Biotechnology Policy.
This is a unique opportunity to share your ideas with divergent minds
from all over the world. We look forward to hearing your voice on our site.
Kind regards your Southernvoices Team
email:
fellow@netuni.uva.nl
tel: + 31 (0)20 561 8163
Food: voices from a Southern perspective.
From our experiences and the experiences of other people throughout the world we are searching for answers to such questions. In many countries changing climate conditions, natural disasters, and population pressure demand an urgent solution to the problem of food security. Gene technology seems to offer promising solutions, but is this a technology that can be applied with trust and if so, under what conditions?
We would like to invite you to take part in an online event organised by
The European Network University (www.netuni.nl) and the Biotechnology
and Development Monitor (www.biotech-monitor.nl). The Monitor is a quarterly
journal concerned with the socioeconomic impacts of biotechnology in
developing countries. Both organizations are based in Amsterdam. The aim
of the event is to exchange experiences, explore opinions and generate new
insights on the issue of genetically engineered food. This event is
unique in that it aims to draw together those concerned with agriculture, food
production and development in an international debate where the agenda
is set by the priorities of those most closely affected by food insecurity.
Why? We have called our online debate Southern Voices. It is a response
to the activity and discussion surrounding a Dutch Government initiative
The Terlouw Commission - to involve public and private interest groups in
the debate about gene technology and food. This discussion has considerable
implications outside the borders of the Netherlands itself. The
complexity and global character of the agricultural chain and the intensity of
trade in agricultural products with developing countries means that the issue
of introducing genetically modified food crops is of critical importance to
policy makers, researchers, civil society organisations and consumers,
throughout the South.
How? The online debate will be divided into two rounds. The first round
is set up around four dichotomies. These are: Food Safety vs. Food
Security, Local vs. Global, Organic Farming vs. GMO's and Public vs. Private. Each
dichotomy has a virtual 'room'. Each room will be moderated by an expert
in their field. The goal of the first round is to let participants
brainstorm on those issues they consider most relevant in the discussion on gene
technology and food. In the second round, the 'deep' round,
participants will have the opportunity to enter into an in depth discussion on the
key topics that have been identified in round 1.
When? The first round will run from 31 October 2001 to 1 of November
2001. The second round will begin shortly afterwards, and run from 6-13 of
November 2001.
How can you join? You can register as a participant on our site:
www.southernvoices.nl
What about the results? Round one will result in a 'topic map' available
online before the second round starts. A report of the second round will
be published online. You can immediately view the results of the discussion
you contributed to. This report will be presented to the TerlouwCommission for consideration in the further discussion on Dutch Biotechnology Policy.
This is a unique opportunity to share your ideas with divergent minds
from all over the world. We look forward to hearing your voice on our site.
Kind regards your Southernvoices Team
email:
fellow@netuni.uva.nl tel: + 31 (0)20 561 8163
Rod Harbinson
