Abstract
In this special issue we will investigate, from the perspective of agricultural ethics (e.g. animal welfare, agricultural and food ethics, environmental ethics etc.) the potential to develop a Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approach to agriculture, and the limitations to such an enterprise. RRI is an emerging field in the European research and innovation (R&I) policy context that aims to balance economic, socio-cultural and environmental aspects in innovation processes. Because technological innovations can contribute significantly to the solution of societal challenges like climate change or food security, but can also have negative societal consequences, it is assumed that social and ethical aspects should be considered during the R&I process. For this reason, the emerging concept of RRI calls for ethical reflection on the nature, scope and applicability of responsibility and innovation in innovation practices in general, and the way social–ethical issues can be applied and addressed in agriculture.
Highlights
The global consumption of agricultural products is expected to rise (FAO 2012)
In recent years especially these radical innovations have led to much criticism from various kinds of non-governmental organizations and policy makers
Because technological innovations can contribute significantly to the solution of societal challenges like climate change or food security, but can have negative societal consequences, it is assumed that social and ethical aspects should be considered during the research and innovation (R&I) process
Summary
The global consumption of agricultural products is expected to rise (FAO 2012). agriculture in Western Europe faces a variety of problems, regarding for instance the reduced welfare of animals in housing systems in the 1970s, the use of pesticides in the early 80s, susceptibility to infectious diseases in the 90s, and at the beginning of the twenty-first century erosion and the high use of antibiotics and vaccines. In this special issue we will investigate, from the perspective of agricultural ethics (e.g. animal welfare, agricultural and food ethics, environmental ethics etc.) the potential to develop a Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approach to agriculture, and the limitations to such an enterprise. The emerging concept of RRI calls for ethical reflection on the nature, scope and applicability of responsibility and innovation in innovation practices in general, and the way social–ethical issues can be applied and addressed in agriculture.
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