Paper short abstract:

Gene-edited crops tap into longstanding divisions within GMO controversies. We introduce an approach to embed reflection and societal engagement in strategic research policy as a key element of responsible governance of agricultural biotechnology.

Paper long abstract:

Gene-editing constitutes the next wave of genomic techniques promising to revolutionise the field of agricultural biotechnology. Scientists claim gene-edited crops will improve resource use efficiency, disease resistance, and nutritional content. These crops represent a site of public contestation, tapping into existing divisions within GMO controversies. Currently, European Commission regulators are deciding whether gene-edited crops should be regulated as GMOs. Campaigning groups of scientists and agricultural businesses argue gene-edited crops should not fall under existing GMO legislation. Civil society and organic farming organisations disagree. Both sides are threatening action in the European Court of Justice, pending the Commission decision. Sensitive to this debate, the UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council seeks to engage broadly as it develops strategic research policy. To improve its engagement activities at an operational level, the Council commissioned us to develop an engagement tool drawing on the concept of responsible innovation. In this paper, we lay out the Knowledge Integration Template, which aims to broaden the range of expertise that feeds into strategic and funding decisions, and apply it to the case of gene-edited crops. We argue that embedding reflection and societal engagement in strategic research policy is a key aspect of responsible governance of agricultural biotechnology. Such engagement should explicitly address questions of intent and be based on the integration of knowledge, broadly defined.