Seeking citizens' views on GM crops: Experiences from the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand

The development of genetically modified (GM) crops has led to varied public reaction in a number of countries. In the USA, the largest producer of GM crops,there has been virtually no organized public opposition. Unlike, the EuropeanUnion where the public debate led to a five-year moratorium on the introduction of commercial GM crops between 1999 and 2004. The issue of GM crops has highlighted two questions which need to be addressed by the scientific community and various governments - to what extent should the precautionary principle beinvoked and how to engage the public in issues of public concern. Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom all undertook systematic public consultation on the issue of GM crops, using three different approaches.