Public dialogue on genetically modified food-communication between conflicting actors about a stigmatised technology – Offentlig dialog om genmodifisert mat – kommunikasjon mellom ulike aktører om en stigmatisert teknologi

We want to analyse the extensive public discourse that are taking place around the subject of genetically modified food, where a number of actors are participating and all are contributing in forming a great and fluctuating story about genetically modified food. This is still a relatively new topic, where the different actors involved have different qualifications and possibilities to participate and to be heard in the public discourse. Genetic engineering can be characterized as a stigmatised technology, and this implies specific challenges and difficulties in the communication process. Communication about GM-food has often taken the form of risk-communication, with the purpose to reduce risk perception among the public and reduce the sceptical attitudes. As we regard it, the communication about genetically modified food is a broad topic, including ethics, trade policies and power relations. By using discourse analysis, we want to investigate how the important actors involved experience and understand the public discourse about genetically modified food. In this way it may be possible to develop a new role for social scientists in this field, acting as an intermediary between the actors. This mediating role of the social scientists could make it possible to improve the dialogue between the actors. More information