Overcoming Challenges in Animal Biotechnology Research

By Zabrina J. Bugnosen

April 27, 2022

Researchers, developers, regulators, and young professionals from Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, North America and Europe, and Asia and Oceania regions engaged in targeted breakout group discourses. This article summarizes the highlights of their discussions that may impact animal biotechnology research and regulations.

All the groups who participated in the targeted breakout group discourses recognized that communication by scientists and regulators needs to be improved to gain public trust. It is important to clearly communicate consumer benefits more than producer benefits, although both are deemed important when developing an animal product. Speaking from their experiences, genetically modified (GM) animals in the pipeline that lacked clear consumer benefits had low acceptance of consumers and were more criticized by environmental groups. It does not help that most scientists can readily explain the technology behind their research yet leave out the societal benefits of their product when talking to consumers. It should be kept in mind that the public is more receptive to outreach if the concerns that are close to them are addressed.

One way to improve science communication is the conduct of various training sessions to enhance scientists’ abilities to participate in societal dialogue. Some scientists are already effective communicators but are hindered by time, resources, and funding. Investing in their ability to effectively communicate to the public in the forms of funding and institutional support will help the scientists improve and then help the consumers to learn about the technology while understanding that its benefits are also meant for them.

See https://www.isaaa.org/blog/entry/default.asp?BlogDate=4/27/2022