TAKING CITIZENS SERIOUSLY.

The article discusses the need for experts from government agencies to involve the citizens in decision-making. For institutions related to food and agriculture, there is a need for change in their working principles and practices. Ethics and policies related to agriculture and food need to be shaped by the public. Ethical knowledge is necessary for public decision-making, along with science and other types of technical expertise. Policy decisions regarding food and agriculture need to involve the citizens to a larger extent. Public officials, scientists, and other experts should engage in dialogue with the public. Citizens should be taken seriously, because their involvement in decision-making by the administrative agencies would make the decisions more acceptable.