I've been invited to take part in a daylong workshop to discuss the societal impacts of genetic modification of plants. The workshop's organizers, plant scientists who often work closely with corporations to further their research, see the event as a first.
As they wrote in a memo asking participants to allow them to record portions of the proceedings: "While the field of plant targeted genetic modification continues to advance, a concerted effort to examine the field's oversight issues has yet to take place."
The request prompted a quick reply from a scientist seeking clarification. Who would have access to the transcript? Clarification followed forthwith. Only the organizers would have access, and the transcript would reflect general themes. In other words, participants' personal opinions would not come back to haunt them.
The consent form itself outlined the risks and benefits of participating as follows: "The risks from participating in this workshop are no more probable or severe than those you encounter in your everyday experiences as a professional working with or on genetically modified organisms." It added: "There are no benefits from participating in the workshop."
The nonmonetary social and intellectual benefits to society are beyond measure, and the organizers modern-day heroes. Kudos to these scientists for acknowledging that there are legitimate concerns about GMOs that until now those benefiting financially have chosen to either discredit or ignore.
That negotiation over a recording captures perfectly what I see as a chilling effect that's gripped not just those who work for large institutions but American society in general. The most elephant-in-the-room issue of all is the concentration of corporate power. Why can't we talk about it? Well, on one level we know we'll be exposing ourselves to unpleasantness or ridicule. That's no fun.
But mainly we're afraid our loose talk will cost us our job or that of a friend or relative. In these hard times (i.e., in this global economy) jobs have replaced things like clean air and water, affordable health care, decent public education, and freedom of expression as our nation's most precious resource.
The conventional wisdom has it that our political discourse is robust. Too robust. Just watch Sunday-morning TV. But we conflate intensity of debate with decibel level. As a result it's become a winning strategy not only to turn down the volume but to turn off the discussion as well.
