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Problems and Purpose
Three citizen panels were held to consult the public on research into GAMBA ("Gene Activated Matrix for Bone and Cartilage Regeneration on Arthritis") - an innovative treatment of osteoarthritis. A two-way, face-to-face dialogue was held between patients/citizens and leading European scientists in three European countries (Germany, Switzerland, Ireland) in an attempt to answer the following questions:
- What do lay people (patients / citizens) want to know about GAMBA? What are their associations with GAMBA? What specific topics are they interested in from their special point of view as concerned patients / interested
- What are lay people’s recommendations to the scientific world, to regulators, industry and media regarding the chances, risks, ethical/social aspects of GAMBA?
History Originating Entities and Funding Participant Recruitment and Selection Methods and Tools Used Deliberation, Decisions, and Public Interaction
Each citizen panel lasted 3 to 4 days. Participants were first introduced to the field of innovative research on osteoarthritis through expert presentations. Presentations were made by experts selected by the project organizers so, in order to assure participants that they were hearing all sides of the argument, panelists selected a number of outside experts to give testimony. After the presentations, testimony, and a Q&A, participants were supported by independent faciliators to deliberate on what the information they had received. The panel's conclusions were compiled into a report for public distribution.Influence, Outcomes, and Effects
The final report collected the panelist's thoughts and conclusions based on the expert testimony, impartial information, and deliberation. The report offers a balanced, professionally developed and scientifically sound summary of the risks and ethical aspects of innovative osteoarthritis treatments. The audience of the report includes clinics, interested companies, medical professionals as well as the media and the broader public.
Analysis and Lessons Learned Secondary Sources External Links
GAMBA Project Documents (German & English): http://www.wissenschaftsdialog.de/index.php/download