Genetically modified food (2002)

In November 2002 a sample of randomly selected Flemish citizens received a letter from the Vlaams Instituut voor Wetenschappelijk en Technologisch Aspectenonderzoek (Flemish Institute for Science and Technology Assessment, viWTA). On behalf of the Flemish Parliament they were invited to participate in a public forum on genetically modified food. None of them knew what a public forum entailed, and none of them were (or have become) experts in the field of genetically modified food.
Fourteen of them finally accepted the challenge. During two weekends they explored this complex theme and their own attitudes towards food. They then identified different controversial or vague topics, and chose reference persons for questioning.
On May 24th and 25th they met in the Flemish Parliament, looking for answers to their questions and arguing with the reference persons and the public. They then discussed the results of their experiences and drew up a list of recommendations.

The final report presents an overview of activities and a list of the questions they had, the answers they found and the recommendations to the Flemish Parliament on the topic of genetically modified food.