Title: Interests and meanings: the socio-technical process of application of biotechnology to crop improvement in India

Authors: E. Haribabu

Addresses: Department of Sociology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500 046, India

Abstract: In India, controversies over genetic engineering technology have become sharper even as attempts are being made to allow field trials and commercial release of some GM crops. By drawing up on insights from sociology of science, the paper argues that production of knowledge and its application through institutional arrangements in the case of genetic engineering is a socio-technical process that involves a complex interplay of conflicting interests and systems of meaning. The paper argues that resolution of the conflicts over interests and meanings by involving all stakeholders is a precondition for continuation of research and utilisation of the output of research by the farming communities.

Keywords: genetic engineering; interests; meaning systems; conflict and conflict resolution; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2004.004613

International Journal of Biotechnology, 2004 Vol.6 No.1, pp.65 - 78

Published online: 26 May 2004 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article