EFB Ask-Force
Message from Klaus Ammann, Moderator of the EFB ASK-FORCE
The EFB ASK-FORCE is a new initiative to promote agricultural biotechnology. It will replace the Berne Debates, which I moderated from 1999 to 2005. The new element in this effort is that it should be more interactive, this is why we have chosen a forum type of programme structure, where everybody as a member can log in and produce comments. I will carefully choose the topics, so that we do not just reproduce the avalange of good and bad news poured everyday on cybernauts. I firmly believe that the there is progressive quality from INFORMATION to KNOWLEDGE - which eventually can mutate into WISDOM - in combination with EXPERIENCE.
In order to avoid double postings, we arrange a steady cross checking of the mailing lists of EFB (4500) and ASK-FORCE (2700).
I encourage participants of the ASK-FORCE to register for free to EFB under http://www.efb-central.org/index.php/Main/join_us
It is also possible to register for the ASK-FORCE alone under my email
klaus.ammann@ips.unibe.ch
You should also take notice of the link to the newsletter: http://www.efb-central.org/Newsletter/newsletterforum.htm, open to EFB members.
This is why this forum is meant as a learning process, which means that we will work in the spirit of discursive processes, where some rules are important: Symmetry of Ignorance, reduce hidden agendas, respect towards different kinds of knowledge, participation of those ho are part of the problem etc. Those rules are explained with some necessary background information in the below given link. A further important element in this forum will be to foster a transition from the usual habits of being PRO-REACTIVE to be more PRO-ACTIVE. It is time that we do not wait for the next activist hoax like hypnotized chicken, but we should actively support and promote the good news. Alas - it will be inevitable to also ASK QUESTIONS to the activists, and a special effort will be made to confront activists with old (and new) scaremonger stories which are dead today and which they would prefer to forget.
The ASK-FORCE will also try to answer with scientific documentation questions coming in from members, thus fully justifying the name of the new forum. For a broader view on how I see the ASK-FORCE, please read the following text with more information and scientific citations: http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Ask-Force/ProjektASKFORCE-20060616.pdf. Comments welcome.
Links to important activities
I have also the intention to closely work with PRRI (Public Research and Regulation Initiative (www.pubresreg.org), to which a special information blog will be dedicated. This new initiative works for a more scientific argumentation within international negotiations such as for the Cartagena Protocol, MOP and COPMOP meetings.
A further element of close collaboration will be the efforts in biofortification of the Bill- and Melinda-Gates Foundation, especially with the project SuperSorghum of Africa Harvest. This is a very successful project in its first year with the purpose of improving the nutritional values of Sorghum, an important crop in Africa for some 200 Million people.
Within PRRI, Africa Harvest, the EFB and worldwide in other organizations there are a number of well known scientists, who - according to my encouraging contacts, are willing to help to build up a group of specialists who can answer questions. This would then complete the environment of a full-fledged ASK-FORCE in action. The list is still in working, and serious offers of collaboration with an indication of special knowledge are most welcome.
The moderator of ASK-FORCE is also involved in the Faculty of 1000, an organization for the promotion of scientific knowledge. It is the intention to give hints about important publications within the topics of this forum.
Klaus Ammann
Chairman of the EFB Section on Biodiversity & Moderator of the EFB Ask-Force
klaus.ammann@ips.unibe.ch