Genetic Technologies and our Environment: Deliberative Conversations ( From the April 8th meeting )
On the 8th of this month we were delighted to join the Milton Rotary for a workshop about genetic technologies for our environment. We brought down with us from Otago University a set of social science research equipment – a landscape, a toolbox, and a lot of little bits of paper – as a starting point for conversations. We wanted to hear what people think we should do as a country about various environmental issues, among them rats, wilding pines, myrtle rust and varroa mites. We asked small groups to decide what tools we should we have in our environmental toolbox. Should genetic technologies be among them? If so, what rules and systems should we have to make sure things go well?
It was really cool to watch people talking and listening respectfully to each other with the goal of finding agreement. Even in a world of social media and political polarisation, people can still find common ground around serious matters!
These are important conversations to be having now, with the natural environment facing a variety of threats and the government looking at changing the rules around genetic technologies. We know that people have different perspectives on genetic technologies – and can feel strongly about it. We also know that for many people it’s a technical and complicated science which is hard to feel comfortable and confident talking about. And we know that New Zealanders value and care for our natural environment, none more so than our rural communities.
We hope to be able to add to the voice of New Zealanders into the decision-making processes – and we thank everyone who took part. An extra thank you to Robin for helping us organise our visit.
Vicki and Fabian from Otago University
