Who gets to count as a rational actor in the couts and cases of GMO's? : a comparative analysis of particpatory approaches to technology assesent

Abstract

Food security is one of the major challenges facing human development cooperation today. Genetically modified organisms (GMO`s) are among key human development agencies, as the United Nations and CGIAR, advocated as potential solution to the problem. This claim has been widely contested from a variety of actors within the global civil society. In this thesis I will elaborate upon the use of participatory technology assessment for deliberation over equitable development and diffusion of GMO`s. According to Van den Daele (Van den Daele, 1997) participatory technology assessments should be more then merely a forum of experts at which the state of knowledge on possible consequences of GMO's are presented and evaluated. Assessments should in addition be arenas for social conflicts, and instruments of social learning within the global network of GMO s stakeholders. Due to the globally unbalanced development and diffusion of GM technology, and diverging regional power relations and systematic social differences among stakeholders of GMO s these institutions faces some major challenges. My thesis is that, these forums, as socially constructed arenas, cannot be seen as neutral instruments for evaluating GM technology. Consequently, the choice of organisation, representation, steering, guiding narratives and degree of reflexitivity among actors towards own engagement influence the generated results of meanings about, and policy suggestions for, the technology. Therefore, we need to address some basic methodological questions in the analysis of these emerging institutions. Questions like: What approaches are suited for different tasks - by issue and by location? Can different approaches be combined and sequenced. How is inclusion and representation addressed, addressed as part of deliberative processes. How can such approaches be linked to other elements of the policy process and decision-making. What approaches are feasible (politically, logistically, financially etc.) in particular settings?