29 March 2021: Twenty-four ordinary Australian citizens are set to come together at the Museum of Australian Democracy in June to deliberate on the human applications of genome editing – a method used to alter DNA of organisms including plants, animals and bacteria – in a ground breaking initiative to shape global conversations about this technology.
The University of Canberra’s Centre for Deliberative Democracy and Global Governance (CDDGG) is teaming up with the Centre for Law and Genetics (CLG) at the University of Tasmania to hold the citizens’ jury, where participants will be charged to carefully consider the scientific evidence, ethical debates, legal considerations and different personal views on how these technologies should be used in Australia.
“The aim of the citizens’ jury is to understand how ordinary Australians view this complex issue when they are given the opportunity to learn from experts to combat disinformation, and listen to different perspectives to combat polarisation,” said Professor John Dryzek, head of CDDGG.
Professor Dianne Nicol from the CLG, said while genome editing had been transformative in certain fields, it presented ethical, legal and social issues.
“Not least of these are questions around the appropriateness of edits to the human genome that are heritable and edits that are for non-therapeutic purposes,” she said.
“The citizens’ jury gives members of the public the opportunity to meaningfully reflect and deliberate on the complexities of the science and the ethical, legal and social issues it raises.”
The Australian citizens’ jury will hear from experts and advocates before entering a deliberation period on the matter. A report will then be released containing recommendations that can inform policymakers as they conduct their own legislative deliberations on genome editing.
Professor Dryzek said participants will bring a unique perspective to the complex topic.
“A well-designed process involving lay citizens can bring reflective judgement about public values to bear on an issue in a way that stakeholders and activists can find difficult – because they are too invested in advocacy,” he said.
“The Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) is about living democracy, not just commemorating. As such, it makes the perfect partner, and provides the perfect location, for this citizens jury.”
MoAD Director Daryl Karp said she was pleased to have the national institution hold the event and partner with the universities.
“Old Parliament House is where many of the decisions that shaped modern Australia were made. As the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD), it continues to be a people’s place where different voices can be heard and respected.
“It is really wonderful to see the Senate Chamber used to host everyday citizens in a public conversation about technologies and policies that will one day impact on our lives, and for that to be seen by a global audience in the documentary,” said Karp.
The Australian Citizens’ Jury on Genome Editing at MoAD will be held from 18-20 June 2021 and is the beginning of a series of global citizens juries on the topic, to be consolidated into a Global Citizens Assembly on genome editing in 2022. The citizens’ jury will also be featured in a three-part documentary by Emmy-prize winning Australian filmmakers Genepool Productions in association with December Media. The documentary series is being developed with the assistance of Screen Australia, SBS Television and Film Victoria. More information is available here.