Catalyst
Horstman, M. (2011). Genetic crops. [Television series]. Catalyst:Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Britannica Links
- genetically modified organismorganism whose genome has been engineered in the laboratory in order to favour the expression of desired physiological traits or the production of desired biological products.
- biotechnologythe use of biology to solve problems and make useful products. The most prominent area of biotechnology is the production of therapeutic proteins and other drugs through genetic engineering.
- DNAAbbreviation of deoxyribonucleic acid, organic chemical of complex molecular structure that is found in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and in many viruses. DNA codes genetic information for the transmission of inherited traits.
General Overview
"The genetic modification of organisms is a vast industry, and the applications of the technology are exciting and far-reaching. It brings new hope for medical cures, promises to increase yields in agriculture, and has the potential to solve the world’s pollution and resource crisis. Organisms with artificially altered DNA are referred to as Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs" (Davey, 2008).
Scientific American - Instant Egghead #45
Olsen, E. (2013, August 7). What is genetically modified food? [Video file]. Scientific American: Instant Egghead #45
General Articles
- Pazzano, C. (2012, November 15). SBS Factbox: GM foods in Australia. Retrieved from http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2012/11/15/factbox-gm-foods-australia
Find out which genetically modified foods are available in Australia and which GM crops can be grown here. - Blackwood, A. (2004). GMOs 101. Health (Time Inc. Health), 18(4), 168-173.
Explains issues associated with the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) by consumers. Objective of creating GMO; Kinds of foods that contain GMO; Safety issues on GMO food; Effect of GM crop on the environment. - World Health Organisation. (n.d.). Food: Frequently asked questions on genetically modified foods. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/food-technology/faq-genetically-modified-food/en/These questions and answers have been prepared by WHO in response to questions and concerns from WHO Member State Governments with regard to the nature and safety of genetically modified food.
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand. (2015). Genetically modified foods. Retrieved from http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/gmfood/gmoverview/Pages/default.aspxRegulation of GM foods. All genetically modified (GM) foods intended for sale in Australia and New Zealand must undergo a safety evaluation by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). FSANZ will not approve a GM food unless it is safe to eat.
- AgBioWorld. (2011). 31 Critical Questions in Agricultural Biotechnology. Retrieved from http://www.agbioworld.org/biotech-info/articles/agbio-articles/critical.htmlIn March 2000, Barun Mitra of the Liberty Institute, a progressive free-market think-tank in India, sent questions concerning agricultural biotechnology to the AgBioView listserv, with the hope that expert members of the list would be able to address them.
- Millis, N. (2006). Genetically modified organisms paper 2006: Australian Government Department of the Environment. Retrieved from http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/science-and-research/state-environment-reporting/soe-2006-gmos
Current or emerging issues paper by Professor Nancy Millis, prepared for the 2006 Australian State of the Environment Committee.
Articles for GMOs
- Lynas, M. (2014). Good Crops. Technology Review, 117(1), 12.The author states that crops that aid humanitarian causes may soften opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMO). He suggests that genetically modified crops can reduce the use of environmentally damaging agrochemicals.
- Coghlan, A. (2013). Embattled grains. New Scientist, 220(2941), 30.An interview is presented with plant scientist Ingo Potrykus, co-inventor of Golden Rice, a transgenic rice variety designed to address vitamin A deficiency and global food insecurity in poor countries.
- Oliver, R. (2014, February 18). No need for GM crop anxiety. The West Australian.Once again, genetically modified crops are in the news for all the wrong reasons. In the WA Supreme Court, organic farmer Steve Marsh is suing his neighbour Michael Baxter for allegedly ruining his crop by contaminating it with GM canola.
- Watts, K. (2008, April 23). GM fine food or Frankenstein? The West Australian.It’s a common gripe among genetic researchers. There seems to be widespread public acceptance of the need to modify genes to cure or reduce disease in humans but when you talk about genetically modified food, the response is outrage.
- Rotman, D. (2014). Why we will need genetically modified foods. Technology Review, 117(1), 28-37.The article explains the reason why people will need genetically modified (GM) foods as climate change make crop production more difficult along with the growing population. It cites the advantage of using genetic engineering to help crops adopt to climate changes and the potential of bioengineered food crops to fulfill hopes for genetically modified organisms (GMO).
- Hurley-Dépret, M. (2011). opinion pieces: Genetically modified organisms in agriculture--The arguments for & against. International Trade Forum, (3), 22-23.The author shares her views on why she supports genetically modified organisms (GMOs). According to the author, GM crops are becoming popular worldwide, with 15.4 million farmers growing GM crops. She explains that plantings have risen following the introduction of GM crops. She further points that although there are questions over the benefits of GM crops, they have clear benefits in relation to farmers' income, efficiency and the environment.
Articles against GMOs
- Young, A. (2012). GMOs: friend or foe? Natural Health, 42(4), 46-50.The article speculates whether the consumption of food products made of genetically modified organism (GMO) are harmful or beneficial for health. It informs that GMO crops were commercially grown in the U.S. because they are pest and disease resistant and discusses potential causes for concern of chronic disease associated with the GMOs.
- GM salmon faces backlash. (2013, October 21). The West Australian.A new “super salmon” is expected to be approved for sale in the US within the next few weeks, reigniting a heated debate over genetically modified food. The salmon would be the first GM animal approved for human consumption and has been under development in Massachusetts for 18 years.
- Watts, K. (2008, April 23). GM fine food or Frankenstein? The West Australian.It’s a common gripe among genetic researchers. There seems to be widespread public acceptance of the need to modify genes to cure or reduce disease in humans but when you talk about genetically modified food, the response is outrage. Part of the problem seems to be that few lay people fully understand the process and, therefore, making a judgment call on it is difficult.
- Hurley-Dépret, M. (2011). Opinion pieces: Genetically modified organisms in agriculture--The arguments for & against. International Trade Forum, (3), 22-23.The author shares her views on why she supports genetically modified organisms (GMOs). According to the author, GM crops are becoming popular worldwide, with 15.4 million farmers growing GM crops. She explains that plantings have risen following the introduction of GM crops.
GMO Labelling
- Australian Government. (n.d.). Genetically modified food labelling. Retrieved from http://archive.industry.gov.au/Biotechnologyonline.gov.au/foodag/gmlabelling.htmlAustralia’s Gene Technology Act 2000 (GT Act) makes a distinction between genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified (GM) products.
- Food Standards Australia New Zealand. (2013). Food Labelling. Retrieved from http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/gmfood/labelling/Pages/default.aspxDo GM foods have to be labelled? GM foods, ingredients, additives, or processing aids that contain novel DNA or protein must be labelled with the words ‘genetically modified’. Novel DNA or protein is defined in the Food Standards Code as DNA or a protein which, as a result of the use of gene technology, is different in chemical sequence or structure from DNA or protein present in counterpart food, which has not been produced using gene technology.
- Kimbrell, A. (2013). Should Genetically Modified Foods Be Labeled? U.S. News Digital Weekly, 5(44), 14.The author discusses the issue on requiring to label genetically modified foods in the U.S. He believes that labeling should be required so that the public will know the ingredients of a food. Supporters of labeling genetically modified foods believe that the activity will enable consumers to make better-informed options, while opponents of the idea state that labeling would create confusion and increase costs.
- Fight the GM Food Scare. (2013, September). Scientific American, 309(3), 10.An editorial is presented which discusses the potential health impact of genetically engineered foods, arguing that laws should not require the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Topics include consumer attitudes, the benefits of GMOs in developing countries, food costs, and the "Proposition 37" legislation rejected in California in 2012.
- Gavin, M., & Archer, L. (2013). GM food. In FMCG, 19(8), 36-37.The authors offer advice on labelling, selling and using products that are genetically modified (GM). They claim that labelling is the most important advertising tool for food producers and the source of product information of consumers at point of sale. The definition of GM foods under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code is provided. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) determines if the GM foods are safe to eat before they can be sold or use.