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 Issue Paper 1
Rats and potatoes - toxicity studies with GM foods
In 1998, Dr Pusztai, a Scottish scientist, appeared on British television questioning the safety of GM foods. He claimed that rats fed GM potatoes in his experiments had lowered immune systems and smaller organs than normal rats. This fact sheet outlines his experiment, the results, and the expert conclusions reached regarding his research.
Issue Paper 2
Butterflies, insects and GM crops
Dr John Losey from Cornell University in New York published a study about the effects of GM crops on non-target insects such as the monarch butterfly. This paper discusses the concerns people may have about the effect of GM crops on beneficial insects.
Issue Paper 3
L-tryptophan and gene technology
In 1989 an outbreak of the disease eosinophiliamyalgia syndrome (EMS) in the USA affected over 1500 people, resulting in 37 deaths. Opponents of gene technology often claim this tragedy was caused by gene technology. This paper addresses those claims.
Issue Paper 4
GM canola - pollen, bees and honey
Herbicide tolerant GM canola, potentially Australia's next commercial GM crop, is the focus of this paper. It discusses some of the concerns related to the potential transfer of genes via pollen from GM crops to non-GM crops.
Issue Paper 5
State governments and GM crops
Since 2003, various bans on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops, or more specifically GM canola varieties, have been implemented by most state and territory governments in Australia. This paper outlines the current situation.
Issue Paper 6
GM crops and patents - the Schmeiser case
A Canadian farmer named Percy Schmeiser, was found guilty in June 2000, by the Federal Court of Canada, of growing Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) Roundup ReadyŽ canola without a licence, thereby infringing their patent. This paper provides details of the court case and rulings by the judge.
Issue Paper 7
StarLink corn
Genetically modified StarLink corn was approved for use as an animal feed only in the USA, yet found its way into the country's human food chain. Despite no evidence of harm to human health, what followed was an expensive food recall and buyback scheme. This issue paper provides further information about the event.
Issue Paper 8
Glyphosate use and Fusarium outbreaks: cause and effect?
There has been recent attention given in the media to claims of a link between the use of genetically modified (GM) glyphosate-tolerant (marketed as Roundup Ready) crops, including cotton, canola and soybean, and an increase in the prevalence of Fusarium fungus attacks on these crops. This issue paper investigates whether there is a link between glyphosate use and Fusarium outbreaks.
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