Mapping Moral Polarities (MORALMAP): Strategies to Navigate and Bridge Polarised Public Discourse About New Plant Breeding Technologies

What is the research project about?

The project MORALMAP examines how people talk about new plant breeding technologies (NBTs) such as gene editing on social media. It will analyse posts and comments to see which moral ideas – for example fairness, care for the vulnerable or respect for nature and tradition – shape people’s views. It will then test different ways of explaining NBTs that connect with these moral concerns. To-gether with farmers, NGOs, industry and authorities, it will develop practical communication guidelines that help people discuss NBTs more openly and constructively.

Why is the research project important?

NBTs could help crops cope with climate change, pests and diseases, but their success depends on public trust. There are ethical questions about these technologies that the public are rightly concerned about. However, at present public discussions are often tense and fragmented, making it hard to weigh risks and benefits calmly. By mapping the moral “fault lines” in these debates and co-designing new messages, MORALMAP aims to support more informed public choices, strengthen dialogue be-tween science and society, and contribute to socially responsible innovation in plant breeding.