Publics at the technology table: The consensus conference in Denmark, Canada, and Australia

One model for direct citizen participation in science-based policy issues is the consensus conference. This article presents a cross-national comparative analysis of three consensus conferences on food biotechnology (in Denmark, Canada, and Australia) held in March 1999. We conclude that the consensus conference model "travels well" (works in multiple national and socio-cultural contexts), being useful beyond its origins in northern Europe. We also provide more detailed conclusions about the food biotechnology issue.