USA
September 5, 2007
The term “biotechnology“ elicits a
range of emotions, from wonder and awe to fear and hostility.
Alan McHughen from the
University of California in Riverside (California, USA) now
reviews at large the current state public knowledge of biotech,
popular misperceptions, scientific illiteracy and the role of
the media. How is coexistence dealt with in the US and Europe?
Who benefits from agricultural biotech – only big companies or
also the society at large? In the public interest, who is best
suited to provide advice to weary consumers?
Find these answers in the latest issue of Biotechnology Journal,
devoted to “Talking Biotech with the Public“ which will
be entirely FREE for download during the month of September
2007, at
www.biotechnology-journal.com.
In this way the publisher
Wiley-Blackwell wants to show its commitment to an open public
dialogue. The BTJ issue features Forum and Scientific Articles
on science communication, biosafety and public perception of
biotechnology and GMOs. Moreover, a free Podcast will be
broadcast on September 14, 2007, and features interviews with
science communication experts and a humoristic Audio Play of a
Journalist-Scientist interview provided by EMBO Science and
Society. Download the free podcast:
www.podcast.biotechnology-journal.com.
Alan McHughen claims that academics have to get more engaged in
public education and social empowerment. The public might in
part not be interested in being taught details of molecular
biology, but may be willing to learn critical thinking skills to
face all controversial issues in our increasingly complex modern
world. “Biotechnology is not new in this regard“ said McHughen,
“everything from automobiles to barbeques warrants appropriate
experts working in the public interest to assure safety“.
A rational public debate, discussing risks and benefits of
(agricultural) biotechnology should be installed. The BTJ
special issue “Talking Biotech with the Public“ is fully devoted
to this topic and provides a wealth of information and
guidelines to both researchers and interested lay people.
Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of
the merger between Blackwell Publishing Ltd. and John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.'s Scientific, Technical, and Medical business.
Together, the companies have created a global publishing
business with deep strength in every major academic and
professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately
1,250 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive
collection of books with global appeal. For more information on
Wiley-Blackwell, please visit
www.blackwellpublishing.com or
http://interscience.wiley.com.
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