Moving from debate to dialogue about genetically engineered foods and crops: Insights from a Land Grant University

Land Grant Universities (LGUs) are major centers of research on genetically engineered foods and crops. Cooperative extension plays an important role in planting decisions at the farm level and food acceptance at the consumer level. Using Q methodology, this study ex-plot-ed how LGU faculty and exte nsion educators view complex and interrelated issues related to GE food cro ps. Three distinct viewpoints emerged: Precautionary, Promoting, and a mino r viewpoint, Cautiously Supportive. With the exception of the role of LGUs, the two dominant viewpoints diverged in response to eight issue areas expl ored: public health, environmental sustainability. consumer choice, the foo d and agricultural system, food security, animal welfare, LGU responsibilit ies, and regulatory and policy processes. These findings have implications for the ways in which university faculty and cooperative extension stakehol ders might engage in a meaningful and productive dialogue about agricultura l genetic engineering.