Inclusion in the global innovation system for CRISPR salmon in Norway

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to determine how inclusion, as understood in the literature on responsible research and innovation (RRI), should be acknowledged in the global innovation system in Norway for CRISPR salmon. The authors conceptualize inclusion from a systems perspective (i.e., systemic inclusion) and use global innovation systems (GIS) as a conceptual framework. The analysis is based on an actor-network map comprising innovation projects and actors drawn from empirical data by applying socio-technical configuration analysis (STCA). The authors find that inclusion should be addressed by acknowledging that CRISPR salmon innovation is performed in a market-anchored GIS. This means that “footloose” knowledge should be prioritized in order to understand the problems that CRISPR innovation aims to tackle and the type of risks that it implies, but also that local valuations should be prioritized in order to build a functional legal and market structure along with local social concerns. The authors conclude that the approach is necessary because although it is recognized that the inclusion of new and diverse perspectives needs to be done strategically when innovating with CRISPR technology, there is no clear rationale that can help when defining a strategy for who should be included and why.