Science and the consequences of mistruct: Lessons from recent GM controversies

In 2001, it was announced that transgenic DNA had introgressed into traditional strains of maize in Mexico. A controversy erupted and raged throughout 2001 and 2002. This episode represents an acute breakdown in scientific discourse. Given the stakes in the genetically modified organism debate, a breakdown in scientific discourse is alarming. The following inquiry looks into the causes of this breakdown. Ultimately, it will be argued that the underlying problem is the current institutional structure of science, particularly in the United States. If the diagnosis is correct, then the proper course of treatment is to pursue a program of institutional reconstruction.