Agricultural biotechnology and societal decision-making : the role of risk analysis

Abstract

Knowledge and trust are major attributes of risk perception that will determine public acceptance of agricultural biotechnology. Formalized frameworks for biotechnology risk analysis afford objective, transparent approaches to assess, manage, and communicate knowledge in ways that build trust in judgements of the acceptability of risk. Pivotal to the successful application of risk analysis within agricultural biotechnology is the involvement of stakeholders in problem formulation and risk-based decision-making. Public trust and knowledge accrue when risk analysis frameworks are transparent, risk assessment methodologies are objective, all parties are engaged in the risk management process, and risk communication focuses on the consumer.