Safe or Not Safe (eBook)

Paul Pechan is a researcher at the Department of Communication and Media Research, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich. His background is in molecular biology but since 2000 he has been involved in the research and communication of science to the public and youth. His latest work includes scientific papers on information recall, texts for 5 health films and a UNESCO manual for teachers. Allan Watt is a research scientist at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Edinburgh. He has led several international projects with a focus on conflicts between human activities and biodiversity.Ingemar Pongratz is group leader and holds an Assistant Professorship at the Department for Biosciences and Nutrition at KI. Dr Pongratz’s main research area is the biology and function of pHLH-PAS proteins and he leads his own research group studying the effects of dioxin exposure at the cellular level.Ortwin Renn serves as full professor and Chair of Environmental Sociology and Technology Assessment at Stuttgart University (Germany). He directs the Interdisciplinary Research Unit for Risk Governance and Sustainable Technology Development (ZIRN) at Stuttgart University and the non-profit company DIALOGIK, a research institute for the investigation of communication and participation processes in environmental policy making.

1. Risks.- 1.1. Why are we writing about this topic?.- 1.2. Risk as a science topic and expected impact on the society.- 1.3 Analysis of the risk issues involved.- 1.4 Stakeholder and Public involvement.- 1.5 Premises for successful risk governance.- 1.6 Chapter summary.- References.- Glossary.- 2. Biodiversity at Risk.- 2.1. Why are we writing about this topic?.- 2.2. Why is biodiversity important for the world and for everyday life?.- 2.3 Science and background.- 2.4 What do we do with what we know?.- 2.5 Future prospects.- 2.6 Chapter summary.- References.- Glossary.- 3.Chemical Contaminants in food.- 3.1 Why are we writing about this topic?.- 3.2 Chemical contaminants and expected impact.- 3.3 Why is the study of health effects caused by contaminants important?.- 3.4 Dioxin: description and origin.- 3.5 Managing Risk.- 3.6 Future perspectives.-3.7 Chapter summary.- References.- Glossary.- 4. The food choices we make.- 4.1. Why are we writing about this topic?.- 4.2. Why have genetically modified food? Why is it important for the world?.- 4.3. GM crops and food.- 4.4. How genetic engineering works.- 4.5. Risk Governance: What do we do to make sure GM crops are safe?.- 4.6. What happens if risk assessment does not lead to clear answers? 4.7. Communicating GMOs.- 4.8. Addressing potential risks of GM crops: case study of Germany.- 4.9. Future prospects.- 4.10. Chapter summary.- References.- Glossary.