{"id":2907,"date":"2024-05-30T13:48:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T13:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/genedrivenetwork.org\/?p=2907"},"modified":"2024-05-30T15:37:21","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T15:37:21","slug":"eploring-the-value-of-stakeholder-engagement-for-gene-drive-research","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genedrivenetwork.org\/fr\/blog\/eploring-the-value-of-stakeholder-engagement-for-gene-drive-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Exploring the value of stakeholder engagement for gene drive research"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Genetic Biocontrol Gordon Research Conference: Enhancing Public Health, Food Security and Biodiversity<\/a> in Barcelona, Spain. The five-day event aimed to promote collaboration, communication, and cutting-edge science in the field of genetic biocontrol. It also provided an opportunity for researchers, developers, and practitioners from around the globe to share their knowledge, exchange lessons learned, and discuss best practices in the field. As part of the conference, I delivered a presentation focused on how stakeholder engagement can inform the design and governance of emerging biotechnologies, such as gene drive technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Participants of the 2024 Genetic Biocontrol Gordon Research Conference<\/a> in Barcelona, Spain. Photograph: Gordon Research Conferences <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine\u2019s (NASEM<\/a>) Gene Drives on the Horizon (2016)<\/a> report \u2013 which I contributed to as part of a dedicated study committee \u2013 highlights the value of engagement for gene drive research, noting that \u201cthe outcomes of engagement may be as crucial as the scientific outcomes\u201d of the research to decisions regarding the potential release of gene drive technologies.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the points explored in the report and in my talk, is that when considering the question of who should be engaged, we can think of engagement for gene drive research in terms of concentric circles, with \u201ccommunity members\u201d at the center. These are groups of people who have a geographic connection to the potential field release site or the place where the technology is meant to be introduced. At the next level, we have \u201cstakeholders\u201d, defined as those who have a professional or personal interest that could inform decisions about the technology. Finally, we find \u201cpublics\u201d, which are audiences who don\u2019t necessarily have a direct connection to the technology but can contribute to democratic decision-making and may have a say in how we govern emerging technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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