Individual statements or questions were grouped under one of five major theme areas that emerged from the list in tota . Of these five areas, assessment, sustainability, and communication had the greatest concurrence among participants. It is recommended that the policy discussions and public debates now active would benefit significantly from the dissemination of substantive peer-reviewed quantitative analyses of the impact of biobased products on the environment, human health and safety, and the economy. If possible, it would be best to know the disadvantages, risks, and potential economic costs of new biobased industrial production ahead of time instead of after the fact. Knowing the potential long-term consequences and costs can help guide the development of the most environmentally friendly and safe biobased economy possible.
Biobased products have the potential for significant societal and consumer impact.
In order to evaluate that impact, biobased products should be subject to the same critical safety criteria as conventional products. At the same time, the benefits of biobased products should be substantiated not only standing alone, but in comparison to the displaced conventional agricultural and non-agricultural products. Converting to a biobased production will also have significant impact on rural economics and developing countries. In addition to the basic scientific research called for by the NRC report, the development of new industries, and the evaluation of environmental impacts and issues of social and economic justice should also be substantively analyzed. The first step of the group was to define sustainability.