Risk, Uncertainty, and Precaution in Biotechnology Rob Hagendijk & Martin Boeckhout International School for Humanities and Social Sciences, ISHSSS Universiteit van Amsterdam P.O. Box 000 AA AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS Discussions about the risk associated with biotechnology played an important role in the public controversy about genetically modified food in the 0s and the beginning of the new millennium. In more recent years the debate seems to have subsided, and so have the public discussions about the associated risks. Debates about risk, uncertainty and precaution with respect to GM food and biotech seem to have moved to places beyond public view. How come? One possible explanation might be that issues have been reframed together with the biotechnological research agenda. The European and international policy agenda may have shifted to other issues after broad public consultations have been conducted in various countries. Major NGOs may have moved on to other themes too. In our presentation we will explore some of these changes and possible explanations. What do these changes tell us about the role risk discourse plays in contemporary societies? What do they tell us about the ways in which governments and societies deal with problems at the heart of liberal democracy? And what do they tell us about the ways in which science and technology are framed in the context of economic and social development? Finally, what conclusions can be drawn for policy making and political debate?