The benefits of today's biotechnology products are not evident to
consumers. The public will accept biotechnology only when individuals
decide for themselves that biotec products will contribute to their
personal well-being. To make such a decision, people will need greater
awareness and understanding of how biotechnology will affect the
environment, human health, local and national economies, and the
well-being of society. A low level of awareness and understanding about
biotechnology is characteristic of Latin America and the Caribbean
countries, as elsewhere, efforts to remedy poor public perception often
seem inadequate and do not reflect a well-designed strategy. In order
to improve the understanding of the biotechnology and their human
applications, a strategic plan for public communications is required.
Specific objectives for this initiative may include: (1) to make
evident to decision makers that modern biotechnology can be an
effective tool for increasing agricultural productivity, and thereby
economic growth, without imposing unacceptable risk to the environment
or human and animal health; (2) to enable members of the public to make
informed decisions about appropriate uses of biotechnology by providing
accurate information about benefits, risks and impacts; or (3) to
incorporate modern biotechnology into science curricula for secondary
schools, university and college students, and agriculture extension
officers. A variety of specialized expertise, including communication
specialists, technical writers, graphic artists and illustrators to
design information materials and conduct training is needed to
implement this. Ideally, members bring expertise in biotechnology and
biosafety, public communications and project management. The plan will
need to identify scientists and technical experts who can provide
expertise in science writing for general audiences, advertising,
graphic arts, public opinion polling and media communications. These
people can provide basic information about the techniques of modern
biotechnology; the products now available and those being developed;
what is known about the nature, probability and consequences of
potential risks. Governments, industry, universities and media must
play an important role to improve public perception about
biotechnology, this is a requirement to develop biotechnology in the
Region