Genetic technologies meet the public: the discourses of concern

Sci Technol Human Values. 2006 Jan;31(1):8-28. doi: 10.1177/0162243905280021.

Abstract

To clarify concerns that the public has with genetic technologies, the article presents the results of focus group interviews conducted in Denmark in 2000. The concerns of the public are divided into three ideal-typical categories: social (dealing with environmental and health risks), economic (dealing with both the threats and opportunities of the new technologies), and cultural (taking up ethical and moral concerns). Following a general discussion of why it is important to take these discourses of concern seriously, each discursive category is discussed with examples taken from the focus group interviews.

MeSH terms

  • Biotechnology* / economics
  • Biotechnology* / ethics
  • Biotechnology* / trends
  • Denmark
  • Ecosystem
  • Focus Groups
  • Food, Genetically Modified
  • Genetic Engineering* / economics
  • Genetic Engineering* / ethics
  • Genetic Engineering* / trends
  • Genetic Research
  • Humans
  • Policy Making
  • Public Opinion*
  • Risk Assessment