Dynamics of list-server discussion on genetically modified foods.
Computer-mediated discussion lists, or list-servers, are popular tools in settings ranging from professional to personal to educational. A discussion list on genetically modified food (GMF) was created in September 2000 as part of the Forum on Genetically Modified Food developed by Science Controversies: Online Partnerships in Education (SCOPE), an educational project that uses computer resources to aid research and learning around unresolved scientific questions. The discussion list "GMF-Science" was actively supported from January 2001 to May 2002. The GMF-Science list welcomed anyone interested in discussing the controversies surrounding GMF. Here, we analyze the dynamics of the discussions and how the GMF-Science list may contribute to learning. Activity on the GMF-Science discussion list reflected some but not all the controversies that were appearing in more traditional publication formats, broached other topics not well represented in the published literature, and tended to leave undiscussed the more technical research developments.
Associate editor at the American Assocation for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). mtriunfo@aaas.org
Marcia L
ML
Triunfol
Pamela J
PJ
Hines
D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000266:history*; D030841:Food, Genetically Modified / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century