Genetically modified crops: a US farmer’s versus an EU citizen’s point of view

EU citizen's point of view. Submitted to Acta Agric. Scand., sec. B] Genetically modified crops (GM 9 crops) have been widely adopted by American farmers. Mainly two traits: herbicide resistance and 10 insect resistance constitute the area with GM crops. The commercial success of these crops rests upon 11 benefits in farm management and more generally upon improved efficiency in production. European 12 population surveys continue to show widespread opposition to GM crops and other applications of 13 gene technology to food production. Danish focus group interviews reveal general concerns that seem 14 to form the basis for the negative perception of GM crops. The aim of the paper is to explain why 15 American farmers and European citizens adopt opposing attitudes to GM crops. It is argued that there 16 is a clear conflict of interests between the two groups. At present GM crops provide no genuine 17 benefits to the consumer, who is therefore unwilling to run even very small risks arising from the use 18 of gene technology in food production. European citizens also connect GM crops with intensive 19 agricultural practices, which are perceived as unsustainable. Here values may diverge, but the 20 discussion of sustainable agriculture is not primarily about GM crops: it is much broader. 21 22