Biotechnology Commission (AEBC) Research Agendas Workstream
Meeting 19 October 2004
Paper RA4.1: draft stakeholder consultation on research agendas for core group meeting
Dear Colleague
AEBC Consultation on Research Agendas in Agricultural Biotechnology
The Biotechnology Commission (AEBC) is the Government’s independent adviser on developments
in biotechnology and their implications for agriculture and the environment. Through its
work the Commission has become aware of a number of concerns around how decisions are made
in agricultural biotechnology research, and is now undertaking a project to investigate
“What shapes the research agenda?”
The project is looking at what is driving the research agenda, how the various drivers are
balanced, what mechanisms are used in setting priorities, and the implications of this for
agricultural biotechnology research. Our aim will be to provide recommendations to
Government on potential improvements to the current systems.
We want to understand of the range of perspectives around agricultural biotechnology
research, and are seeking comments on our emerging thinking.
The enclosed paper is a working document, which provides further background to this project
and sets out our preliminary observations and analysis, but without any conclusions or
recommendations at this stage. The information we have collated to produce this paper, on
various research funders and historical trends in research drivers, is documented in a
longer paper xxx which is available on our website at xxxx. Many of you have
already helped us with our information gathering, and I would like to thank you for what you have
provided.
We would welcome general comments on this paper, but are particularly interested in
responses to our specific consultation questions, which are enclosed with this letter.
The deadline for comments is XXXX
Responses should be sent to the AEBC secretariat at XXXX. Please note that in
keeping with the Commission’s policy on openness and transparency, responses may be made publicly
available once the consultation period is over, and a summary document of all responses may
be published. Please inform us if you do not wish your response to be used in this way.
Yours etc..
QUESTIONS FOR AEBC CONSULTATION ON RESEARCH AGENDAS
The Commission’s workstream on “What shapes the research agenda?” set out to answer four
main questions:
What are the key drivers behind agricultural biotechnology research agendas and how
are they balanced?
What mechanisms exist to ensure public attitudes and aspirations and Government
policy priorities are taken into account when research agendas are set?
How well do these mechanisms work?
What have been the implications of the above for research and development?
We would appreciate any thoughts about these questions and whether they address the issues
appropriately.
The following specific questions aim to address each of our four main questions, but feel
free to respond to the issues in any way that you wish. Please note that the stimulus for
our study has come from agricultural biotechnology research and we would ask you to focus
on research in this field. However, we recognise that the issues may often not be specific
to this area and would welcome comments that apply more widely.
Are you responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation? Please give
details. What role does scientific research play in the business of your organisation and/or
what is your relationship to scientific research?
DRIVERS BEHIND AGIRCULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND THE BALANCE BETWEEN THEM
Do you think the AEBC’s initial analysis accurately describes the key drivers behind
agricultural biotechnology research in the UK and how these have evolved over time? Are
there any omissions or gaps in the study?
What do you think has been the relative importance placed on the following drivers
that we have identified? (Please give reasons for your answers as appropriate.):
advancing fundamental knowledge and scientific curiosity; maintaining/developing
the UK science base;
wealth creation and building the knowledge economy;
international competitiveness;
government policy, regulation and legislation;
EU and international policy, regulation and legislation;
public attitudes and aspirations;
social need and the public good
The AEBC’s information gathering suggests an increasing emphasis on research to
support government policy and the knowledge economy. Are you aware of any significant
trends/changes over time in the drivers behind agricultural biotechnology? What impact have
these had?
Do you feel that the right balance is achieved between the drivers that you believe
to be most significant? If not, please elaborate.
Our analysis suggests that there is still a significant “bottom-up” influence on
research agendas, but that directed programmes and central Government control and scrutiny
of research are increasing. In your opinion is the current balance between responsive mode
(bottom-up) and strategically directed (top-down) research about right? If not, what should
be changed?
MECHANISMS FOR SETTING AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AGENDAS, AND HOW WELL THEY WORK
Do you think appropriate mechanisms exist for determining research agendas and the
balance that has to be struck between drivers when deciding what research is done? Please
refer to what type of research and which funding agencies you are referring to in your
answer. How well do you think these mechanisms work in practice?
Is horizon-scanning an important and useful tool for establishing research agendas?
How significant has the government's Foresight exercise been?
Who should be involved in establishing policy and priorities in scientific
research? Should the public and/or society more widely have a role in these decisions? If
so, at what stage, through what mechanisms, and to what extent should they be involved? If
not, why not?
IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Are you aware of any significant gaps in the UK research agenda that have been
caused by an imbalance of research drivers? For example, do you believe an emphasis on
wealth creation has led to significant gaps in public good research? Has the withdrawal of
Government from near-market agricultural research created gaps?
In your view, is the UK sufficiently supportive of research and innovation in
general, and more specifically in the field of agricultural biotechnology? Do you have any
views on how research funds are deployed within the field of agricultural biotechnology?
What are the implications of the various drivers and mechanism behind research
agendas on the openness and transparency of public sector research?
Are there any issues around the setting of research agendas that the AEBC may have
missed? If so, please elaborate.
