Governance strategies for responding to alarming studies on the safety of GM crops

Figures & data

Table 1. Characterisation of problems based on scientific and normative consensus.

	Values
		Consensus	No consensus
Facts	Consensus	Structured problem	Moderately structured problem
		Agreement about means and ends	Disagreement about ends (agreement about solution)
		Experts or bureaucrats	Consensus conferences
	No consensus	Moderately structured problem	Unstructured problem
		Disagreement about means (agreement about problem)	Disagreement about means and ends
		Expert committees	Learning strategy/public debate

Note: Adapted from: (Hisschemöller and Hoppe 1995) and (Bovenkerk 2012).

Table 2. Examples of alarming studies.

Author	Alarming effect claimed
Ewen and Pusztai (1999)	Rats fed GM potatoes show abnormalities in the digestive tract
Rosi-Marshall et al. (2007)	Harmful effects of GM maize in aquatic insects
Huber (2011)	New pathogen from GM crops
Séralini et al. (2012)	Rats fed GM crops develop cancer
Carman et al. (2013)	Pigs fed GM feed show harmful effects

Table 3. Governance of alarming studies: phases and questions.

Phase	Policy questions
I	Preparation: monitoring	Monitor scientific developments? Monitor societal debate?
II	First response: timing and opening gambit	Respond or ignore? Moratorium or other measures?
III	Obtain advice: expertise and data	Choice of advisory bodies? Coordination with European advisory bodies?
IV	Response: communication and follow-up actions	Attune communication to stakeholders? Follow-up actions: further research?

Table 4. Governance of alarming studies: preparation.

Phase	Lessons and pointers
I	Preparation	• Monitor scientific developments • Remain alert and open to new or even unconventional research • Ensure access to information about decision-making GMOs

Table 5. Governance of alarming studies: response and advisory requests.

Phase	Lessons and pointers
II	First response	•Respond •Acknowledge situation and explain governmental priorities •Redirect to existing and understandable information sources
III	Advice	•Emphasise importance of openness towards research results •Establish criteria for a second opinion •Visualise individual positions in international alignment

Table 6. Governance of alarming studies: response and follow-up.

Phase	Lessons and pointers
IV	Response	•Acknowledge both specific and contextual aspects •Make explicit which issues are not addressed and why •Repeat and improve study to overcome limitations •Be realistic about the outcome

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Huber, D. 2011. Letter to Secretary Vilsack from Dr. Huber – Roundup May Be Causing Animal Miscarriages and Infertility. In Personal communication to Secretary Vilsack.

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