ABSTRACT
This chapter offers an alternative approach to risk communication and biotechnology, drawing upon discourse and social theory. The need for risk communication only arises when there is a perception of risk. A discourse approach to risk communication therefore encompasses both the reproductive and transformational dimensions of discourse. Biotechnology has been a central driver of the New Zealand economy and so it was not surprising that many of the health related submissions were either situated within a socio-economic discourse or made some reference to this discourse. Trust is a central factor within risk communication, and trust in major institutions including major corporations and governments is low with some publics. The major outcome of the application of the precautionary principle to the introduction of new technologies has been to allow regulators to place restrictions around such technologies even if there is no conclusive proof that they will do harm.
