Public information and the ethical responsibility of the industry.

Biotechnology and gene technology are recognized by experts as invaluable and unique tools to find solutions to or improve many problems in health, agriculture and management of the environment, and are regarded as a driving economic force in the next century. They are, however, by large not accepted by the public and the discussion on gene technology is often emotional or even controversial. This situation is not favorable to a constructive and open debate. Science, economic forces and society coexist symbiotically and a broad debate on all aspects including the social and ethical issues of biotechnology is essential. A mutual understanding and acceptance are prerequisites to the democratic process of the elaboration of sound regulation and appropriate administration. To this aim, a task force was initiated in Switzerland by the pharmaceutical industry. Its goal is to provide information on relevant aspects of biotechnology and to participate in the dialogue with the Swiss public and politicians on critical issues like risk assessment, ethics, safety, novel food and legislation. A documentation service, teaching material, national poster campaign, exhibitions and debates on specific issues are the contributions of the industry to a fair information in favor of the improved background to an educated and open debate.