The Modes and Mechanisms of Public Engagement in Science and Technology Policy in China — Based on Case Studies of Public Engagement in GM Crops

• In Event: Public Engagement in Science and Technology Policy 2

Abstract

This paper studies the modes and mechanisms of public engagement in science and technology policy in China, based on public engagement in the Genetically Modified Crops/Food.
Firstly, the paper analyses the ethical and social issues and the dynamics of public engagement in GM crops and summarize the modes of public engagement in other countries. Secondly, it explores historical development of public engagement in GM crops in China and summarize the characteristic. Thirdly, it makes case studies: four different events/modes of public engagement in China: (1) the widely, hot dispute on the transgenic rice between public and scientists during end of 2009 and early of 2010, when the Ministry of Agriculture issued a safety certificate for GM rice; (2) the consensus conference held in a small community in Beijing by Chinese Academy of Sciences, which was only an experimental activity and had not influenced on policy. (3) One person's participation, Cui Yongyuan — a famous TV man — against GM crops through his own effort by taking video film. (4) Scientist and public dialogue mode. The paper makes a conclusion that formal mechanism of PM in S&T policy lacks in China as in other countries, although there are some practices and modes, and it explains the phenomenon by the following factors: policy culture dominated by government department; prevalent scientism in society; lack citizen organization.

Author

• Chunliang Fan, Institutes of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sceicnes