In many countries population pressure, natural disasters, and changing climate conditions demand an urgent solution to the problem of food security. Genetic engineering claims to offer promising solutions, but is this a technology that can be applied with trust – and if so, under what conditions? Within the framework of the Dutch government debate on the subject, and under the auspices of the Terlouw Commission, we set up an international debate in which we invited an international audience to share their ideas and insights with us around the issue of biotechnology. We were especially interested to listen to “Southern Voices”. For that reason, the readership of the “Biotechnology and Development Monitor” was approached to participate. The reader ship consists primarily of policy makers in the public sector; scientists; industrial, farmers’ and consumers’ organizations; environmental and other non-governmental organizations; and university students in developing and industrialized countries. Other possible participants were approached through a variety of networks.