The consensus conference is a type of forum specifically designed for citizen (or citizen and expert) discussion and communication about issues in science, technology, and health that confront society. The original consensus conference model was [Page 182]based on an approach to medical research assessment originating in the health care sector in the United States during the 1960s. It was (and is) used to bring experts together to arrive at a consensus about the state of the research evidence on a given medical or research question. This process was adapted in Denmark by the Danish Board of Technology in the 1980s, introducing the use of a citizens' panel to the process of technology assessment. This version brings together a lay citizen panel and an expert panel ...