Concerns of Portuguese Citizens on Biotechnology in Agriculture

A Contribution to their Characterization through Focus Groups

Abstract

This article evaluates the public perception of biotechnology in agriculture using a focus group methodology with the participation of farmers, rural professionals and agricultural R & D scientists / experts. Through the analysis of the discourse, the participants' visions, their concerns about innovations and biotechnology in agriculture are interpreted as well as the benefits that come from them. The results are presented and the importance of broad-based public participation on this issue is discussed and ways in which these concerns can be taken into account by researchers and policy makers at a stage where legislative measures on coexistence between genetically modified and conventional crops have been challenged bu pro-GMO (CIB, 2005, CIB, 2006, cit., AgroPortal, 2006) and anti-GMO (PTFP, 2005; 2006) sectors of Portuguese society. Social and Economic Valuation of Resources of Rural Territories in the Context of Modern Societies.