rene von schomberg

The Quest for the ‘Right’ Impacts of Science and Technology: A Framework for Responsible Research and Innovation

Published in Responsible Innovation 1

In this contribution, a framework for ‘Responsible Research and Innovation’ is proposed. This framework enables to practice Responsible Research and Innovation while addressing both research and innovation processes and research and innovation outcomes and products. The framework operationalizes general consensual normative anchor points derived fr...

A vision of Responsible Research and Innovation

Published in Responsible Innovation

This chapter outlines a vision behind responsible research and innovation (RRI), taking a largely European policy perspective. It provides a definition of the concept and proposes a broad framework for its implementation under research and innovation schemes around the world. The author makes the case that RRI should be understood as a strategy of ...

The precautionary principle from a European policy perspective | Das vorsorgeprinzip aus europäischer sicht

A reconstruction of the normative dimensions of the use of the precautionary principle in the context of European policy and European law since the publication of the Communication of the European Commission on the Precautionary Principle in 2000 will be presented in this chapter. This reconstruction will result in an overall definition of the prec...

Foresight knowledge assessment

Published in International Journal of Foresight and Innovation Policy

This paper offers an approach to assess the quality of foresight knowledge deployed or generated during foresight exercises. Although 'foresight knowledge' is a special case, the idea of having a procedure, an approach or a method available for assessing the quality of knowledge is tempting: Foresight knowledge consists of various sources such as d...

European biotechnology regulation: Framing the risk assessment of a herbicide-tolerant crop

Published in Science, Technology, & Human Values

As products of the "new biotechnology," genetically modified organisms have provoked a wide-ranging risk debate on potential harm, especially from herbicide-tolerant crops. In response to this legitimacy problem, the European Community adopted precautionary legislation, which left open the definition of environmental harm. When the U.K. proposed Eu...

Democratising the policy process on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms

Published in 1996 International Symposium on Technology and Society Technical Expertise and Public Decisions. Proceedings

The issue of the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the environment was posed as a policy problem. This was perhaps unavoidable since one of the reasons why the contained use of GMOs was regulated was that an unintentional release should be prevented. It was perceived as a problem with manifold aspects which could only...

Harmonization difficulties of European biotechnology regulation: EC directive 90/220 on the deliberate release of geneti...

Published in 1996 International Symposium on Technology and Society Technical Expertise and Public Decisions. Proceedings

In recent years, 'risk' debate has become a means for adjudicating the legitimacy of contentious technologies (U. Beck, 1992). Often such debate centres upon 'unacceptable risk', implying that the extent (and even type) of risk may not be scientifically known. As a response to the problems of reflexive modernization, discursive forms of technology ...

Netherlands: Deliberating biotechnology regulation

Published in Science and Public Policy

Anticipating EC Directive 90/220 on biotechnology, the Netherlands developed new safety regulations for GMOs under its Chemical Substances Act. Within this statutory framework, environmental groups have been able to challenge proposed ‘permits’ for GMO releases in the Council of State. As Competent Authority, the Environment Ministry established a ...

Regulating agricultural biotechnology in Europe: Harmonisation difficulties, opportunities, dilemmas

Published in Science and Public Policy

The EC Deliberate Release Directive 90/220 responded to a wide-ranging risk debate on the intentional release of GMOs. It was to integrate environmental precaution with market harmonisation. New networks have offered opportunities for influencing the expertise and concepts which would guide its implementation. In particular, ‘familiarity’ has been ...