Via the method of ‘virtual deliberative public engagement’ we can gain insight into the public opinion on highly complex matters such as heritable human genome editing. In a previous study in the South African (SA) context, participants in culturally mixed groups who engaged critically with policy questions on this topic based their arguments on shared values enshrined by the South African Constitution. However, since South Africa is culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse, it is possible that if people are given the opportunity to deliberate within their cultural/religious groups, other (more culturally or religiously embedded) values would be used.
This study will be applied to young adults in two separate language groups in SA (Zulu and Afrikaans) and one Flemish group. The aim is to find out how these young adults view heritable human genome editing and whether they use values that are comparable or values that different and more specifically related to their ethno-cultural backgrounds. For Flanders, this study provides valuable first knowledge on the public opinion on this theme. Flanders also offers an appropriate comparator for the two other groups because its cultural demographics are vastly different to SA.
This way, the study will gain insight into the public opinion in a more culturally-sensitive way and offer a more nuanced understanding of how culture impacts lay people’s deliberation. The results will be applicable to future policy formation.