More food, cleaner food – gene technology and plants
Useful Sites
Why would Australia want to grow genetically modified wheat? (The Conversation, 21 October 2011)
A discussion of the pros and cons of GM wheat production in Australia.
20 Questions on genetically modified foods (World Health Organization)
Gene technology in Australia (CSIRO Australia)
An introduction to gene technology – techniques, uses, concerns and regulations. There is a 'News' section with updates.
Genetic engineering (University of Adelaide, Australia)
This site covers the basics of plant genetic engineering, and gives some examples of the use of genetic engineering in plant pest control.
Global responses to GM food technology: Implications for Australia (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Australia)
Gives the Australian perspective on the global market place for genetically modified food and products.
Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
What's in the pipeline? Genetically modified crops under development in Australia
Identifies a selection of GM crops under development in Australia and discusses significant barriers and bottlenecks to commercialisation.
Genetically modified crops in Australia: The next generation
Highlights the key findings of the study.
Designer seeds (Beyond Discovery, National Academy of Sciences, USA)
Uses genetically engineered crops as an example to show how basic research in science can lead to practical results. (A PDF file of the complete article is available.)
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
ABC Science Genetically Modified Food Tag
A collection of reports and articles on the topic of genetically modified food.
Catalyst, 29 September 2011
A number of different stories covering the various issues associated with genetically modified food.
Greenpeace attack destroys more than GM field trial (The Science Show, 13 August 2011)
A report discussing Greenpeace's destruction of CSIRO genetically modified wheat crops.
GM for Good (Catalyst, 17 March 2011)
Discusses research aiming to produce more nutritious forms of staple food items.
GM cotton use increases fruit pest problem (ABC Science, 14 May 2010)
Reports on the increase of bugs that has resulted from decreased pesticide use that has accompanied production of genetically modified cotton in China.
GM bananas (Catalyst, 16 April 2009)
Reports on the development of bananas that have been genetically modified for improved nutritional value and disease resistance.
The DNA files – designing the garden: Food in the age of biotechnology (The Science Show, 21 June 2008)
A discussion of developments in food biotechnology.
GM food and the eye of the beholder (Ockham's Razor, 28 September 2003)
Looks at the history of the genetic modification of plants and why GM seed could benefit developing countries.
Page updated January 2012.