Exploring Public Understanding of

Science and Public Engagement

With Science and Technology:
The Case of Genetically Modified
Crops Stakeholder Groups in Los
Baos, Laguna, Philippines

DE SILVA CHRISTERBERT LINGANAY

BS DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION
(SCIENCE COMMUNICATION)
DECEMBER 2014

Two thousand three was a remarkable year for

agriculture in the Philippines. It was this year
that Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn was rst
commercialized. Bt corn is a Genetically
Modied (GM) crop. Bt corn is a product of
science and this started a new era for
agriculture in the Philippines and nearby
developing countries.

Since then, unending debates questioning the

development of such technology has sprouted all
over the places but these however were conned
in small circles of scientists, demonstrators,
academicians.
While there is an uprising of demonstrations from
different groups there is a lack of study-based
policies and regulations regarding genetic
engineering technologies.
In line with this, the general public have been
passive regarding these issues. What is lacking?

Science is a social enterprise and scientic

information is a public good. According to Clark
(2001), it is known that in order for citizens of a
democratic society to meaningfully engage in
their society they must possess some
understanding of science. This need to
understand science and recognize its value gave
birth to the eld of science communication.

Science Communication is the use of appropriate

skills, media, activities, and dialogue to produce
one or more of the following personal responses to
science: awareness; enjoyment; interest; opinions;
and understanding of science, its content,
processes, and social factors (Burns, et. al, 2003).

The College of Development Communication (CDC)

in the University of the Philippines Los Baos - the
only institution that offers courses on science
communication in the Philippines - denes it as
communicating product, content, and processes of
science to various publics to promote development.

Velasco and Velascos denition (2003) categorizes

science communication as a domain of study in
development communication to foster
understanding, appreciation, and application of
science and the scientic process in a manner that
encourages participation by the various
stakeholders.

According to Kim et al. (2007), communication

strategy and behavioral theory are incomplete, and
the problem is that PUS primarily uses this paradigm.
!

Most of the researches done regarding science

communication follow knowledge-behavior-attitude
framework. Most often than not, it is about the
information holders point of view. Whether a
scientist or a mediator.

Public Engagement with Science and

Technology, however, would be difcult if there
is a lack in understanding of the public, of
understanding, and of science.
From this, Kim et al. conceptualizes a model
for communicative effectiveness on Public
Engagement with Problems and Issues
Relevant to Science (PEP/IS).

This research explores public understanding of

science and public engagement with science
and technology through a case study on
Genetically Modied Crops Stakeholder
Groups in Los Baos, Laguna, Philippines.
What is the level of engagement and the
factors inuencing intentions in participating in
public engagement activities with Genetically
Modied Crops among stakeholders in Los
Baos, Laguna?

Specically, the research seeks to answer the following

research questions:
1. What are the socio-demographic characteristics of the
different stakeholder groups involved with issues regarding
Genetically Modied (GM) Crops in in Los Baos, Laguna?
2. What is the level of engagement of different stakeholder
groups with Genetically Modied Crops in Los Baos, Laguna?
3. What are the factors inuencing intentions in participating in
participating in public engagement activities with Genetically
Modied Crops among stakeholders in Los Baos, Laguna?

Analytical Framework
Processual Model of Behavior

EXPOSING

FOCUSING

Individual Engagement

COGNIZING

Group Engagement

MOVING

Theory of Planned Behavior

FACTORS INFLUENCING
INTENTIONS TO ENGAGE

Socio-Demographics

Collected from
SAQs, FGDs,
and KIIs will be
analyzed through
this framework.

Research Participants

Political Agents!
- MAO
- SB
- MENRO
- Mayor
- CENRO
- PENRO

Civil Society!
- Farmers
- Women
- Youth
- Consumers
- Miscellaneous

GM Crops Stakeholder Groups!

in Los Baos Laguna
Development Agencies!
- ISAAA
- IRRI
- MASIPAG

Techno-Bureaucrats!
- DOST: PCARRD
- DENR: ERDB
- DA: BPI
- DA: PhilRice