The three key objectives of this research along with the research projects undertaken are:

Objective 1

Identify the impact of biotechnology on New Zealand society, businesses and consumers through an analysis of medical, food and fibre-related biotechnology organisations and their stakeholders.

 

•  Discourses on Biotechnology in New Zealand
•  Stakeholder Interest and Identity
• "We Are What We Don't Eat"
• Sustainability and Biotechnology
• Commercialisation of Biotechnology

 

Objective 2

Examine the social, cultural and religious/spiritual dimensions of biotechnology through an analysis of advocacy groups and community organisations or networks and their stakeholders.

 

• Public Understandings of Biotechnology
• Circuits of Communication
• Sustainability and Biotechnology

 

Objective 3

Develop frameworks for biotechnology-related dialogue and decision-making that support and are supported by New Zealand society through a meta-analysis of social values, discourse and networks.

 

• The Future of Dialogue

• Raising opportunities for economic gain from new knowledge-based enterprises by identifying sustainability indicators, the network of relationships, interactions and information transfer processes between key biotechnology stakeholders.
• Identifying the marketing implications of socio-cultural impacts for biotechnology, focusing in particular on consumer perspectives and brand avoidance issues in order to develop a value-based view of biotechnology.
• Identifying the multiple cultural, scientific and religious values within New Zealand society as they relate to biotechnology and thereby enabling policy makers to develop appropriate policy responses.
• Identifying the dominant and competing discourses within New Zealand society around biotechnology, providing biotechnology firms and policy makers with information about the fears, distrust, meanings and possible misinformation about biotechnology and recommendations for communication techniques to ensure informed public debate.
• Contributing to the development of Maori in biotechnology through knowledge sharing.
• Developing a public participation and dialogic process for biotechnology-related communication and the dissemination and sharing of ideas, perspectives and knowledge between biotechnology and community stakeholder groups through forums and reports.