The biotechnology dialogue in the Netherlands

Abstract

Recombinant DNA technology and its applications can be judged from different points of view. We can look at the way this technology interferes with nature or the Creation (the moral point of view), at its impact on several economic interests and social structures (the socio-economic point of view) or at the way decisions are made about genetic engineering (the political point of view). These different points of view have their own value and should play a role in regulation, consumer information and, last but not least, commercial and scientific recombinant DNA Research & Development. Using the Dutch dialogue between NGO’s and industry and trade as an example, this contribution is mainly focusing on the question how decisions about market introduction and biotechnological Research & Development could be made in a more democratic way. In my contribution I describe briefly the history of this dialogue. I have used the main items that have been discussed to show how the dialogue works and what the conditions for a successful dialogue are. I end with some remarks about my personal experience.