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 Information Paper 1
The science of gene technology
This fact sheet summarises the difference between biotechnology and gene technology; the evolution of biotechnology in agriculture and food production; other uses of biotechnology; the science behind gene technology; and, some of the key arguments for and against the new technology.
Information Paper 2
Gene technology regulation
Australia's national gene technology regulatory system came into force in June 2001 as a result of the Gene Technology Act 2000 legislation. It aims to identify and manage risks to human health and the environment posed by, or as a result of, gene technology. This paper identifies the regulatory system.
Information Paper 3
Regulating genetically modified food
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is responsible for ensuring the safety of all foods in Australian and New Zealand, including genetically modified foods. This fact sheet outlines the safety assessment process and the labelling requirements for GM foods and food products.
Information Paper 4
GM crops: a decade of results
Agriculture contributes $28 billion to Australia's economy, and this fact sheet outlines some of the potential benefits biotechnology may offer Australian farmers and the environment drawing from the experiences overseas.
Information Paper 5
Gene technology and animal feed
This paper outlines some of the scientific studies that have been conducted to evaluate the safety of feeding GM products such as corn to animals, particularly those animals such as cattle and sheep that provide food for consumers.
Information Paper 6
Biotechnology and animal production
This issue paper explores the use of gene technology and biotechnology in animal production in agriculture. Globally, there is much research underway in this area, with Australian research contributing significantly to the effort.
Information Paper 7
Biotechnology and the environment
One area of biotechnology which has not been a major focus to date is the potential environmental applications the technology may offer. Much research is underway around the world looking at opportunities in this area.
Information Paper 8
Developing countries and biotechnology
Can gene technology solve the world's food problems? This fact sheet outlines the role biotechnology may play in increasing food production, and improving food supply.
Information Paper 9
Gene technology and patents
Many people are concerned about the patenting of living things. This fact sheet addresses issues such as what is a patent, why are they necessary, the role of life science companies in gene technology, and the potential benefits intellectual property may have for Australian researchers.
Information Paper 10
Gene technology: support or oppose?
As with all major public issues, the critics and supporters of gene technology appear to hold widely varying points-of-view and within these two very broad groups of people there are still more variations on the issues. One way to illustrate the spread of opinion is to sample the ideas behind supporting and opposing the technology as outlined in this paper.
Information Paper 11
Gene technology and ethics
This information paper explores the role and consideration of ethics
within the gene technology debate.
Information Paper 12
GM crops and markets
Following the approval of two herbicide tolerant GM canola varieties by
the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) in 2003, concerns about
the market impact of GM canola led to moratoria being imposed by
governments on the commercial production of the GM canolas in Australia's
key canola producing states. These concerns and the market realities are
investigated in this information paper.
Information Paper 13
GM canola, local government and choice
Genetically modified (GM) canola will be planted commercially for the first time in 2008 over a small area in NSW and Victorian canola-growing regions. This development has seen a number of local government authorities reconsider the option of so-called Genetic Engineering (GE) Free Zones. This fact sheet considers GE Free Zones and the implications such zones have in relation to consumer and producer choice. Legal, economical and logistical issues are also raised.
Information Paper 14
GM crops and climate change
Climate change and its current and potential impacts have an increasing profile globally. A growing number of countries are looking to implement policies and actions aimed at managing the impacts of climate change. This fact sheet aims to explore the implications climate change may have on global agriculture and the role gene technology could play in contributing to climate change solutions.
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