ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the various debates on biotechnology in the context of the historical and social development of technological controversies in Germany to provide an understanding of the cultural and political backgrounds of the development of public opinion and public debates in Germany. In Germany, very fierce debates on biotechnology could be observed from early 1980s, with changing main focuses, from contained use of genetically modified organisms to gm-food and cloning. Although the medical application of Genetic Engineering was one of the starting points of the debate, the support of medical applications of biotechnology is very high. While most 'red' applications of genetic engineering are supported by the public, the so called green biotechnology raises substantial resistance in Germany, and not only in Germany, but also in Europe. Amongst natural scientists involved in public debates about genetic, it is common explanation that negative attitudes towards genetic engineering in general or applications of genetic engineering are result of lack of knowledge.