Plant biotechnology – a consensus?

The first UK Consensus Conference determined the informed public’s view of plant biotechnology. Parliamentarians are interested in public opinion. But as life in general, and science and technology in particular, have become more complicated, it becomes more difficult for such ‘opinion’ to be adequately informed. Some legislatures make use of ‘Consensus Conferences’ to find out what their publics really think of complex issues when fully informed. The outcome offers both a measure of informed opinion and also helps in identifying policies which reflect fundamental public concerns.

This POSTnote examines the outcome of the first UK Consensus Conferences’ public’s view of plant biotechnology.