Meeting Papers

AEBC/04/05

Biotechnology Commission Research Agendas workstream:

What Shapes The Research Agenda?

Rationale

Hundreds of millions of pounds are invested each year in agricultural research in the UK, much of this in the area of biotechnology. In its previous work, the Commission has observed a number of concerns about how this money is spent. These include a sense that the balance of public research has shifted and is now too focused on commercial applications; that agendas do not adequately encompass social and ethical realities, including the basis of public confidence in science; that creativity and innovation are stifled by a preoccupation with risk and regulation; that public funding into crucial areas such as soil science has shrunk; and that ‘orphan crops’ of low commercial significance but possible great benefit to society are neglected.

This workstream will examine how research agendas in agricultural biotechnology are determined. Is research properly geared towards the relevant policy agendas – chiefly, the drive for sustainability in agriculture? And do research agendas adequately reflect public attitudes and aspirations for the future of farming, food and land use?

Key Questions

1. What are the key drivers behind agricultural biotechnology research agendas and how are they balanced?



2. What mechanisms exist to ensure public attitudes, aspirations and policy priorities are taken into account when research agendas are set?



3. How well do these mechanisms work?



4. What have been the implications of the above for research and development?

Methodology

• In looking at drivers, the Commission will consider how the various factors are balanced and how they translate downstream to the research that is eventually carried out. In researching the mechanisms for taking account of public attitudes, aspirations and policy needs, the Commission will look at the structure, composition and terms of reference of funding bodies strategic committees, the elements of the decision-making process, and how various wider strategic initiatives and reports are taken into account.



• As part of the workstream, the Commission will seek to undertake a public engagement exercise. This may follow the model used in the Commission’s Animals and Biotechnology study (September 2002) in which a series of workshops are held with a “reference group”, culminating in the group being asked to comment on the Commission’s emerging findings. Two groups – one composed of members of the public and the other of working scientists – have been proposed.



• An exhaustive study of the implications of drivers and mechanisms for research would be extremely resource intensive, so this part of the workstream will be carried out using specific case studies. Case study examples will be chosen across the whole spectrum of agricultural biotechnology.



• The Commission will seek to ensure that its contribution synergises with the work of other bodies that have addressed or are addressing similar issues.

Scope

• In the context of this workstream, a broad definition of biotechnology will be used, encompassing more than just genetic modification.



• The workstream will focus mainly on publicly funded research, but will not neglect private sector research, particularly the influences that the public research and its drivers have on the private sector.



• The study will be restricted to UK-funded research, while recognizing that research is an international activity. It will include UK research relating to the needs of developing countries.

Timeline

The project will be completed within a year, and a staged approach will be used as below:

Stage 1 – approx. April to August/September 2004: Information gathering on research drivers and on mechanisms for taking into account public attitudes, aspirations and policy priorities

Stage 2 – approx. September to December 2004/January 2005: Analysis of information and judgement on how well the mechanisms work, looking at specific examples. Some of this work to begin during Stage 1.

Stage 3 – approx September 2004 to February 2005: Public Engagement exercise (Public Reference Group and Scientists’ Reference Group).

Stage 4 – February/March 2005: Publish Reflections and Recommendations.

Outputs from each stage will be published separately, as stand alone documents.

AEBC Secretariat, April 2004