Science Mass Media Confluence for Ensuring Safe Future: A Case

for Educating Masses on Biosafety

L.D. Kala and Manoranjan Hota*
Science Technology and Development Initiative (STAD)
Post Box 4627, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110 016
E-mail: ldkala@yahoo.com
* Ministry of Environment and Forests
Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex
New Delhi 110 003
E-mail: hota@nic.in

Abstract
Science of course can result in comfortable life for human being but if not used
judiciously, can spell disaster too.

The balancing force is taking science to

common man, which makes his attitude scientific. Though this dimension has not
been adequately addressed in past but future must not repeat the errors of past.
Biosafety measures globally has ample indicators that show the trend; that
common man has a huge role in the entire scheme of things; that scientifically
oriented common man is the deterring force for any sort of insanity in actions and
experimentations.

For biosafety movement, making masses aware and inculcating scientific attitude
in them is the mother of all capacity building initiatives. This needs to be
adequately understood and emphasized. This paper further brings to the fore the
strategies and efforts that are needed to be embodied in the biosafety programme
globally to insure that the efforts bear fruits and peoples appreciation of science
is truly ignited and strengthened so that no mischievous or over-enterprising
groups or individuals feels free for any misadventures thought with potential to
cause harm to the ecology and existence of this living planet.

INTODUCTION

Science is democratic in nature.

This fact probably was not adequately

appreciated in past as science and technology remained in the hands of chosen

few; who undoubtedly took it forward beyond several frontiers but equivocally
also shook the basis of humans and humanity. So far so good! But as the
scientific progress today is approaching the state of no bounds, it is also being

realised that creating public awareness towards science and technology and
inculcating scientific temper in the society has potential to reign in any illconceived idea emanating from any irrational application of science and
technology.

Scientific progress therefore comes with a rider, that dont hold it hostage to a
select few if the cause of nature and humanity is to be served well. This alone can
guarantee what we generally expect of advancement in science and technology.
The onus is on the scientists and governments that the democratic nature of
science is not shun away to ensure this world remains a beautiful place.

APPRECIATION OF SCIENCE AMONG MASSES

What do we mean by democratic nature of science?

Does it mean make

everybody a scientist? Certainly not! It means make public appreciate and

understand science up to a reasonable extent. It is not necessary that all of them
should be taught science in schools and colleges. It simply means their rational
thinking is to be aroused. Mere science education does not guarantee rationally. It
is more a trait with the society.

Appreciation of science involves general understanding of pros and cons of

scientific issues, its positive and negative consequences and its long term and
short term impact on nature and living beings.

Appreciation of science amongst masses cannot be developed overnight. It is a

sustained phenomenon acquired over years of efforts by all concerned. Scientists
should be greater votaries of public appreciation of science, not only because it
will support their cause, but also because they understand the subject and
consequences like nobody does. In long term it is bound to do good to science
and scientific community.

BIOSAFETY:

THE

CONCEPT

ENCOMPASSES

SCIENTIFIC

OREINTATION

The Cartegena Protocol promotes biosafety by establishing practical rules and

procedures for safe transfer, handling and use of GMOs with a specific focus on
regulating movements of these organisms from one country to another country.

The system features two separate sets of regulations, one for GMOs that are
intentionally introduced into the environment and other for GMOs those are
directly consumed as food ingredients. Both the sets of regulations insure that the
recipient country is dispensed with all the information on the GMO. The protocol
provides for establishment of a Biosafety Clearing House that exchanges entire
information with the governments on risk assessment and precautionary
approaches, pertaining to the GMOs.

Biosafety is a regulatory mechanism that asks for holistic knowledge of several

related fields from genetics to international laws and infrastructure framework
like Biosafety Clearing House (BCH). The regulations are for the welfare of the
life on this planet and also for very existence of this planet in a life supporting
form. This has to be appreciated by our masses.

The future cannot be experienced in advance and with the scientific progress
touching such unpredicted frontiers where it can manipulate life forms via
interventions at genetic level, entire scientific community along with governments
and masses have to work in tandem. We all have to learn by each others
experiences. Can we therefore in such circumstance, afford a link in the chain
going weak?

In this entire setup masses are more than mere link. They alone have the power to
decide our future, thus have the power to direct both scientific establishment and
governments to go how far in some matter. This is because history has shown
both faltering to the peril of everyone. To let them play their role well, masses
have to be informed, knowledgeable and scientifically thinking.

This is a

necessity for safe future.

ENGAGING MEDIA IN BIOSAFETY - AN EARNEST INITIATIVE

Journalists/Writers workshop on Biosafety was held earlier in July 2006 in

New Delhi. The aim was to make science journalists and writers aware of the
subject of Biosafety.

The ultimate objective was educating masses through

improved media content on biosafety. The workshop was a reasonable success.

Science coverage is far below the desired level in this country. Many newspapers
do not engage a fulltime science correspondent in India; providing rich media
content in Biosafety directly involves enhancing science coverage in media.

The workshop arrived at several recommendations at the session Strategies for

Media Science Communion to the Societys Advantage. These provide a vital
insight into efforts that are required to be directed at several fronts to achieve the
desired goal of evolving a society equipped with scientific awareness in general
and Biosafety appreciation in particular in the present context, so that informed
decision making becomes inevitable. This was crux of all concerned voices
raised and the recommendations made. These recommendations

have been

made in the context of India. The strategies recommended are given below:

1.

Enhanced Media Scientists Interaction It is essential to boost up media

scientists interaction for the benefit of the society. This interaction can
pave way for the easier flow of scientific content to the advantage of the
masses. This may be achieved by:
i.

Meet the scientist project initiatives.

ii.

Periodic media sessions by the S&T organisations.

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iii.

More such workshops such as the present Workshop on Biosafety

for Science Communicators.

iv.
2.

Scientists - Journalists interactive sessions.

Orientation Programmes for Media such as:

i.

Visit to research laboratories.

ii.

Media fellowships.

iii.

Consultative

groups

of

senior

journalists

with

scientific

departments.
3.

Popular science writing by scientists; also provide weight-age to them for

science popularisation and popular science writing.

4.

Web initiatives should encourage dialogue amongst scientists and

journalists to a greater extent.

5.

Media network on Biosafety to be established for easier access to media

resources.

6.

Science popularisation can further be enhanced by following measures:

i.

A television channel committed to science content.

ii.

Emphasis on vernaculars while communicating science.

SCIENTIFIC ATTITUDE: SOME CHARACTERISTICS

The general scenario of communication of science and technology among masses

is characterised by several characteristics. While efforts to quantify scientific
attitude of a society are yet to authentically enumerate any concrete list of
characteristics involved, an attempt has been made here at identifying these and
this effort is certainly not the perfect one.

1.

Cultural factors: Though none of the modern societies imbibe science

and technology naturally into their fundamental fabric, culture has a strong
leaning on any societys acceptance or affinity to science and technology.
Nevertheless how to quantify this leaning is too cumbersome to be attempted and
elaborated here.
2.

Foothold of literary: Literacy alone is not enough. It also matters that for

how many generations, literacy has been prevailing in a society. First generation
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literates are surely to fare poorly as compared to second or more generation

literates.

A second generation literate means the family has been literate

continuously for two generations. Education and literacy are being considered
different from each other for this concept to exist.
3.

Span of science and technology: Factors such as percentage population

having studied science, widespread

presence and technology establishments,

share of industrial income in a societys gross domestic product (GDP) and gross
national product and gross national product (GNP), percentage of science and
technology oriented jobs, countrys innovativeness, etc., all these factors define
span of science and technology. A good span is bound to have good level of
scientific attitude in a society.
4.

Amount of science published:

The demand for published science

emanates from the span of science and technology. If the intake for published
science matter is more, rest assured better informed are the citizens and all the
more chances for greater scientific and informed decisions in the society.
5.

Level of minimum science: A more scientifically oriented society would

be aware of more scientific and technological terminologies and more scientific

concepts. This is an indicator of the level of minimum science in that country. If
this is not the cause of greater level of scientific awareness, this is certainly the
effect.

An attempted analysis on the state of science and technology awareness in this

country together with approximation of above characteristics should reveal the
near true state of a society.

THE MEDIA FACTOR

How media organisations deal with science, makes an interesting study.

Mainstream media establishment is conspicuous by dearth of science background
journalists, journalism is supposed to be an area of humanities. Even academic
institutions offer courses in Science Communication mainly under humanities
departments (Patairiya Manoj, Personal discussion).

Only enlightened newspaper establishments resort to the practice of appointing

science correspondents, who also have sufficient fluency is humanities too. For
most of them Science beat would not invite full engagement of a journalist.

Science establishment in India seem to lack professional approach is

disseminating their activities to the media and the public. Whereas it is not a
ceremonial act, it is certainly a passion that needs to be enjoyed and cherished.
Dr. Chandan Mitra, the celebrated journalists asked for Engaging the Media,
Educating the Media and Empowering the Media to achieve the desire level of
science in Indian media (refer speech delivered at the inauguration of Journalists/
Writers Workshop on Biosafety, July 5, 2006). Media on the other hand needs
to Interact, Internalise in order to Inform in an unbiased and rational
manner.

Any measure attempting to create real intended impact should explicitly

understand that demand for the subject should be created and encouraged,
enriching and analytical content should be somehow pushed in media because
both these factors go hand in hand and are profusely interrelated.

BIOSAFTY

AWARENESS:

MULTIDIMENSIONAL

MODEL

INITIATIVE

A model initiative comprising of several dimensions of media masses

interrelationships is proposed here for achieving best results in inviting public
engagement in Biosafety. The initiative may have following components:

National Public Debates:

The death of farmers in some parts of India recently and the attempt by some
organisations to attribute it to GM (genetically modified) crops is a case in point.
Such debates should be turned into grand media event by adding dimensions of
fun and education and pride of involvement by providing people opportunity to
raise issues after a duly publicised selection process.
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Science through parliament:

The beginning and ending of sessions of parliament and other legislative bodies
can be associated with science awareness days, wherein leading scientists and
activists present their views on the burning issues before the nations, in a
mandatory session for parliamentarians and similarly in other elected bodies.
These events can be supplemented by discussions in mass media.

Engaging and Educating media:

Are there any regular announced media days in scientific establishments?

Hardly! These should not be laughed off for being wasteful acts. These engage
and educate media constantly besides providing regular scientific feed to media.
Journalists/ writers workshop in biosafety has had good appreciation.
Remember, public awareness is essential component of science and technology.

Media Workshops for Scientists:

They will rub it off but the idea can pick up by giving them credit for science
communicating for public, alike credits given for writing research papers. Such
workshops can sensitise them about media needs and of course along with some
attempts at the media arts by they themselves.

Network of Media Editors and Writers on Bio safety:

This will save media entities from scarcity of contemporary science content from
and science writers from scouting (sometimes endlessly) for their writings getting
published.

Regular Interface:

A regular popular journal or a regular but involving television programme is such

example. Slowly but surely these generate demand on either side, the readers and
publishers or the viewers and producers.

Well-designed, Exhaustive Biosafety Webside:

Ignore this to your huge disadvantage. The website should be authentic. Regular
updating is the key, so is the importance in meeting the request for information or
otherwise through web queries.

Information Booklets:

Be it the issue of permission to a GM product or the case of credits for biosafety

education; handy, informative booklets are great assets. Any information sought
and send these booklets to the information seeker. Satisfying one with correct
answer evokes urge for seeking more and more.

Transparency Paramount:

This singly matters huge. No matter how sincerely you take a correct but harsh
decision, there emerge divergent views. Be transparent in your activities and do
not look corners for any misappropriation. Candid acceptance of any lacunae
makes your credit rating go manifold. Biosafety being a relatively complex issue
there are chances to course a minor wrong, appreciate the need for mid course
correction and dont be shy to carry it out in wide open.

CONCLUSION

Man has been employing nothing but genetic manipulation in the traditional
fermentation technique of transformation of grains into bread and beer. So is the
case with obtaining cheese from milk.

These indeed were intentional

modifications. Now as the modification or manipulation has breached molecular

level, hence the caution needed is extraordinary. Also the full impact of these
manipulations may be evaluated only after a prolonged period.

The concept of biosafety encompasses range of measures, policies and procedures

for minimising potential risks that biological and genetic technologies may pose
to environment and human health. Establishing credible and effective safeguards
against such possible risks is critical for maximising the benefits of these
technologies while minimising risks.

When the canvas is such wide and issue is as complex as biosafety, engaging
media and masses in evolving and practicing an effective mechanism for
addressing the issues is most essential. This is simply because being informed is
the greatest deterrent against any such motives.

REFERENCES

1.

Sehgal Narendra, Sangwan Satpal and Mahanti (Eds.), 2000, Uncharted

Terrains, Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi.

2.

Patairiya Manoj, 2001, Vigyan Sanchar (in Hindi), Takshshila Prakashan,

New Delhi.

3.

Kala L D, 2006, Media in the light of scientific temper, The Pioneer,

September 29, New Delhi.

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4.

Salwi Dilip M, 2006, Science popularisation and some unrealised aspects,

Indian Journal of Science Communication, January-June.

5.

Indian Journal of Science Communication, January-June 2002 JulyDecember 2002.

6.

Popli Rakesh, 2003, Scientific temper: an issue above ideologies, Indian

Journal of Science Communication, January-June.

7.

Salwi Dilip M, Science in Indian Media, Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi.

8.

Kala L D, 2006, Biosafety mechanism is the safe Road, The Pioneer, New
Delhi.

9.

Biosafety Information Kit, Ministry of Information and Forests, Govt. of

India, New Delhi.

10.

Tiwari Vishwamohan, Vigyan sanchar: samasyayen aur samadhan (in

Hindi), Indian Journal of Science Communication, January-June.

11.

Biosafety and the Environment, 2003, United Nations Environment

Programme, Geneva.

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