Interactive Construction of Environmental Problems and Technology: A Case Study of Transgenic Crops

Abstract

One social construction of an environmental problem is the criticism of technology by “lay public.” This paper contrasts its interaction with the construction of technology by “experts”. A case study is conducted on the development of crop protection technologies, from chemical pesticides to transgenic crops, which paralleled with transformation of environmental problems. These processes are analyzed by using a concept of “actor-networks” originating from sociology of technology.

An environmental actor-network is defined as connecting not only members of the “lay public” but also natural and artificial objects. Similarly, a technological actor-network combines “experts” agents and objects. The finding show that the genetic recombination of crops was developed by multinational chemical corporations that succeeded in “translating” actors in an environmental network against chemical pesticides. Such actors included contaminated environment, regulating agencies, “sustainable” agriculture, and venture firms for bio-pesticides.

However, two actors remained intact through translations made by both networks. First, urban consumers who appeal for “pure food” in the environmental network simultaneously constituted a demand for standardized cheap food without worm holes. Second, the industrial intellectual property system that enabled investment for research and development was consistent with the norms of urban environmentalists who insist on their intellectual superiority over chemical-intensive agricultural sector. These two actors may play a role to sustain the coexistence of both networks.