ASK-FORCE is a joint effort of the Public Research and Regulation Initiative (PRRI) http://www.pubresreg.org and the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) http://www.efb-central.org
INTRODUCTION
ASK-FORCE discusses publications about biosafety and biotechnology that have gained much public attention but which are not supported by a clear majority of peer reviewed scientific publications.
The ASK-FORCE initiative, chaired by em. Prof. Klaus Ammann, is a collaborative activity between PRRI the EFB Forum and AgBioWorld.
The texts are peer reviewed by a range of well known experts in their field of green biotechnology from the following three organisations: PRRI, EFB and AgBioViewThe ASK-FORCE working group is calling for members, who are willing to actively acquire and suggest new topics. Up to now, there are three scientists having agreed to be members of the team:
Chairman and Moderator
Em. Prof. Dr. Klaus Ammann, Monruz 20, CH – 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Tel: +41 33 534 91 52, mobile +41 79 429 70 62, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)Members
Prof. Dr. Selim Cetiner Sabanci Universitesi Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences Orhanli, Tuzla
TU - 34956 ISTANBUL Turkey, Tel: +90 216 483 9545 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)Dr. Dennis Eriksson SLU Faculty of Landscape Planning, Horticulture and Agricultural Science Box 52
SE - 230 53 ALNARP Sweden Tel: +46 40-415563, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)Prof. Dr. Hans Holmen Linköpping University, Universitetslektor Human Geography Dep. of Tema/Geography, T-building, T E 308 SE - 581 83 LINKOEPPING Sweden Tel: +46 13-28 18 27 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The new ASK-FORCE contributions are sent after reviewing to the members of PRRI, EFB and subscribers of AgBioWorld, they are also mentioned in GMObelus , CheckBiotech and other networks. The push lists add up to some 5000 mail addresses (EFB), 2700 adresses (ASK-FORCE) and 500 adresses (ASK-FORCE NEWS). The hit numbers will be enormous this way, since we collaborate with some of the most seen websites, more are intended to contact.Some time ago, a list of possible ASK-FORCE contributions have been compiled, it is now updated - please comment, add.
http://www.botanischergarten.ch/ASK-FORCE-Strategy/ASK-FORCE-General-List-20090911.pdf
More:
This initiative called ASK-FORCE has replaced the Berne Debates witch Klaus Ammann 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 avalanche of good and bad news poured everyday on cybernauts and print media readers. I firmly believe that the there is progressive quality from INFORMATION to KNOWLEDGE - which eventually can mutate into WISDOM - in combination with EXPERIENCE.
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 OR PRRI alone under my email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) directly to me.
You should also take notice of the link to the newsletter: http://www.efb-central.org/Newsletter/newsletterforum.htm, open to EFB members
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 who are part of the problem etc.
Those rules are explained with some necessary background information in the below given link on the strategy of ASK-FORCE.
INFORMATION SERVICE on SPECIAL REQUEST
The ASK-FORCE has often answered with scientific documentation specific questions coming in from members.
For a broader view on how I see the ASK-FORCE, please read the following text with more information and scientific citations. Comments welcome.
http://www.botanischergarten.ch/ASK-FORCE-Strategy/ASK-FORCE-Internet-20091125-web.pdf
All sent out web version documents are also produced in an open source version for private use, they are available on special request to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Links to important activities
I have also the intention to closely work with PRRI (Public Research and Regulation Initiative, see http://www.pubresreg.org, to which in parallell the same information blog will be posted. This new initiative promotes public research and produces scientific argumentation within international negociations such as for the Cartagena Protocol, MOP and COPMOP meetings.
ASK-FORCE NEWSLETTER see separate thread
ASK-FORCE also maintains a news service distributed to a list of about 500 mail addresses at an irregular pace. The news are archived chronologically on the websites of PRRI and EFB.
Up to now, there have been two news items
http://www.botanischergarten.ch/ASK-FORCE-NEWS/ASK-FORCE-NEWS-20090712.pdf
http://www.botanischergarten.ch/ASK-FORCE-NEWS/ASK-FORCE-NEWS-20090722.pdf
Klaus Ammann, more personal details see http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Curriculum/Links.pdf
reply to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)[email=klaus.ammann@ips.unibe.ch]
