Table 3.

Summary of analysis of policy reports.

Class	Illustrative statement	Ten most significant words	Documents associated
Class C1 (16.72%) ‘Safety and choice so that we can get huge benefits from GM’	‘GM crops could offer real benefits to consumers and farmers in the future and our comprehensive research has found no reason to think they pose any risks to human health, nor are any less safe than conventional crops. We do need to monitor this for unforeseen problems though and consider each on a case-by-case basis but much will depend on whether consumers choose gm foods and on the ability of the regulatory system to continue to manage any risks effectively’.	gm crop herbicide conventional grow gene maize plant farmer acre	Government’s response to GM Nation Debate Defra’s Frequently Asked Questions
Class C2 (29.15%): Regulation of human embryology research	‘The government should open the door to research using human animal chimera or hybrid embryos, as it is likely to bring significant health benefits in the future. There is little opposition, besides that based on opposition to research on human embryos in general. Legal advice is needed to consider the humanness of embryos, so that it is clear whether such matters should be regulated by HFEA or another agency, and the regulation needs to provide a clear framework within which research can take place’.	embryo human hybrid chimera animal creation hfea act draft cytoplasmic	UK government’s response to the Joint Committee Report of the Human Tissues and Embryos Draft Bill (2007) House of Commons Select Committee Report on government proposals for the regulation of Hybrid and Chimera Embryos (2006)
Class C3 (29.08%): Anticipating and managing risks and adapting regulation, to ensure UK maintains an international lead	‘The government will ensure a coordinated approach to developing this technology, which will be reviewed at 5 and 10 year intervals. This approach will bring together a wide range of stakeholders and the public, so that we can anticipate, understand and manage potential risks, address public concerns and ensure the responsible development of these fields while maintaining our international competitiveness’.	commission nanotechnologies information member royal public section society system regulatory	Government responses to reports on nanoscience, geoengineering and regenerative medicine.
Class C4 (25.05%): Supporting technology transfer	‘The government recognises the importance of the UK’s science base in providing the new ideas and innovations for translation into applications. The government will provide funding for such research over the next decade and develop a strategy to support businesses in exploiting this’.	ib innovation council fund igt sector business pound industry bbsrc	UK government’s responses to reports on industrial biotechnology, the UK stem cell initiative, nanosciences and synthetic biology.

GM: Genetically Modified; HFEA: Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; IB: Industrial Biotechnology; BBSRC: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.