New breeding techniques (NBTs) for genetically modified (GM) crops, such as CRISPR/Cas9, could represent a valuable solution for achieving a sustainable agricultural system. This study examines Italian farmers' attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9-modified blast-resistant rice in a hypothetical context. It is one of the first studies to investigate farmers' attitudes toward NBTs. Additionally, it explores the role of sociodemographics, farm characteristics, knowledge, perceived risks, and the locus of control (LOC) in shaping attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9-modified rice. The results show that farmers are open to this innovation and will cultivate CRISPR/Cas9-modified rice if it is available in the market. Moreover, we find subjective knowledge, practice experience, and low perceived risk in the agri-food business to be positively associated with attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9-modified blast-resistant rice. Notably, LOC is found to be inversely related to attitude, indicating that having an external LOC improves attitudes toward CRISPR/Cas9-modified rice. The findings suggest that farmers are generally favorable to the introduction of CRISPR/Cas9 technology; thus, a revision of the current European Union policies on GM crops could meet their needs. [EconLit Citations: Q18, Q16].

中文翻译：

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农民对 CRISPR/Cas9 的态度：以抗稻瘟病水稻为例

用于转基因 (GM) 作物的新育种技术 (NBT)，例如 CRISPR/Cas9，可以代表实现可持续农业系统的有价值的解决方案。本研究在假设的背景下考察了意大利农民对 CRISPR/Cas9 修饰的抗稻瘟病水稻的态度。这是调查农民对 NBT 态度的首批研究之一。此外，它探讨了社会人口学、农场特征、知识、感知风险和控制点 (LOC) 在塑造对 CRISPR/Cas9 修饰水稻的态度中的作用。结果表明，农民对这一创新持开放态度，如果市场上有售，他们将种植 CRISPR/Cas9 修饰的水稻。此外，我们发现主观知识、实践经验、农业食品行业的低感知风险与对 CRISPR/Cas9 修饰的抗稻瘟病水稻的态度呈正相关。值得注意的是，发现 LOC 与态度成反比，表明拥有外部 LOC 可以改善对 CRISPR/Cas9 修饰水稻的态度。研究结果表明，农民普遍赞成引入 CRISPR/Cas9 技术；因此，修订当前欧盟关于转基因作物的政策可以满足他们的需求。[EconLit 引文：Q18、Q16]。修订当前欧盟关于转基因作物的政策可以满足他们的需求。[EconLit 引文：Q18、Q16]。修订当前欧盟关于转基因作物的政策可以满足他们的需求。[EconLit 引文：Q18、Q16]。