title: Calling controversy: assessing synthetic biology's conflict potential.
abstract: Will synthetic biology elicit controversies similar to those of genetically modified crops before? Maybe, but where exactly are the analogies, and how can we gain substantial insights rather than mere guesses? We argue that as well as the intrinsic properties of the technologies at stake, the context of their implementation is decisive. To assess mechanisms of past and potential controversies, an investigative tool is presented. The Gate Resonance model, derived from older models of societal conflict, allows the identification of key elements of conflict generating processes. In monitoring the developing debate on synthetic biology using this model, analogies to the case of genetically modified crops appear less convincing. So far, there are only few indications that a controversy is imminent.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Technology Assessment, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna. torg@oeaw.ac.at
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Torgersen
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hampel
mesh_terms: D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011639:Public Opinion; D058615:Synthetic Biology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*