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Table 3 Percentage of agreement on the opportunities and challenges of transgenic products (number respondents = 30)

From: Challenges and opportunities of transgenic agricultural products in Iran: convergence of perspectives using Delphi technique

Rank

The concepts of opportunities

Percentage of agreement

1

Population growth and nutritional needs of human beings reflect the necessity of producing transgenic plants

96.7

2

The technology of transgenic plants supports sustainable agriculture development goals

93.3

3

Like natural herbs, transgenic plants completely decompose and return to nature

93.3

4

Transgenic technology is in progress and provides new opportunities for agricultural production

93.3

5

Transgenic plants reduce the use of pesticides and thus contribute to protection of environment

93.3

6

Having natural and beneficial genes is the main distinction between transgenic plants and other plants

93.3

7

Increasing agricultural production, boosting economic profits, and eliminating poverty are among the benefits of transgenic plants

90

8

Production of transgenic plants boosts resistance to pests and diseases

90

9

Transgenic plants reduce the negative environmental impacts of agricultural activities

90

10

Cultivation of transgenic plants minimizes pesticide residues in food products and environment

86.7

11

Transgenic foods are healthy and like ordinary foods are considered safe to eat

86.7

12

Transgenic plants help control weeds

83.3

13

Transgenic products have higher nutritional value than other plants

83.3

14

Cultivation of transgenic plants can lead to soil protection

83.3

15

Cultivation of transgenic plants preserves biodiversity

76.7

16

Increasing growth of transgenic plants around the world is an indicator of their acceptance by farmers

76.6

Rank

The concepts of challenges

Percentage of agreement

1

Production of transgenic plants in Iran is unnecessary and traditional breeding methods can meet future food needs

100

2

Due to political issues and deficiencies in planning, the production of transgenic plants has faced with some problems

93.4

3

Lack of familiarity with methods, goals, and results of genetic engineering causes people to be concerned about the acceptance of transgenic plants

93.4

4

Inconspicuous role of the mass media in introducing the achievements of transgenic technology has led to backwardness of this technology

93.3

5

Little attention of authorities to production of transgenic plants reduces the rate of productivity and increases the need for resources of energy

93.3

6

Lack of an educational, research, and development (ERD) system is a significant barrier for development of this new technology

93.3

7

Lack of awareness of consumers and manufacturers about the features of transgenic technology is an obstacle for its development

93.3

8

Lack of educators and knowledgeable specialists in development of transgenic plants is one of the main challenges in this area

93.3

9

Lack of an enabling environment for private sector’s activity has led to slow growth and development of transgenic products in agricultural sector

93.3

10

Lack of accurate statistical information on transgenic plants has prevented the growth of this area

93.3

11

Non-certification of the use of transgenic products by recognized scientific and research authorities is one of the weaknesses in their application

93.3

12

There is no consensus among experts on the usage of transgenic products

90

13

Managerial systems, regulatory agencies, and controllers of transgenic plant production are faced with major problems in Iran

90

14

Resistance of politicians in some countries (like Iran) has limited the spread of transgenic plants

90

15

Lack of consensus on potential risks of transgenic plants has prevented the massive production of these products

90

16

Administrative bureaucracy is one of the main problems of transgenic plants’ development

86.6

17

The process of generating knowledge and technology on transgenic plants in Iran is very slow

83.3

18

The risky dimensions of transgenic plants are certainly not proven and these negative impacts should not be ignored

66.6

19

The country’s inappropriate customs rules are of main barriers for development of this new technology

63.3

20

Resistance of consumers has prevented the spread of transgenic plants in some countries (including Iran)

63.3

21

Transgenic plants produce damage to other species (non-target species)

36.7

22

The use of transgenic plants may lead to resistance to antibiotics

30

23

Production of transgenic plants destroys valuable resources and resists pests

30

24

The use of transgenic plants can create risks for human reproduction and fertility

23.3

25

The use of transgenic plants may cause tumors (cancer) and allergies in individuals

10