Home > News > Abundant EarthRecently, the Premiers of Victoria and NSW, Brumby and Iemma approved a landmark decision to lift the moratorium on genetically engineered (GE) crops (sometimes referred to as Genetically Modified or GM). They have also agreed that GE canola crops can now be grown in both states. The decision was made to improve the plight of drought-stricken farmers. Consequently, apart from cottonseed oil, Australia no longer holds GE free status in the food-chain. This development has re-ignited discussion on environmental, ethical and health issues of GE. GE food is regulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), which has approved over 20 varieties of GE corn, soybeans, sugarbeet, potatoes, cotton and canola for human consumption in Australia. Most of these GE ingredients are imported from other countries for use in Australian food production. Australians are exposed to GE in a number of ways – directly from GE crops, via GE processed ingredients, and through GE animal feed. No specific approval is required to feed GE crops or derivatives to animals. Canola is a very common product used in many Australian grocery foods. These include margarines, cooking oils, and the manufacture of confectionary, dairy products, ice cream, tinned fish and baked goods. Since this decision was made, there has been growing concern that Australians may from now on, be unwittingly consuming even more GE products, without realising it. As such, the move has been strongly opposed by food and retail industries and many other community groups. Benefits of having GE available to us:Genetic engineering enables scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes in a way that does not occur naturally. Genetically engineered organisms have many potential applications in agriculture, including novel foods, pesticides, and animal drugs. Agricultural Biotechnology Research Projects suggest the variety of benefits companies have envisioned. These include, among others, animals engineered for leaner meat, plants engineered for herbicide tolerance or insect resistance and longer shelf life, plus bacteria engineered to produce drugs for livestock. The question is; do these products actually represent societal benefits? Certainly, the companies that develop and market them believe they have benefits, and commercial success is one gauge of the need for and usefulness of a product. But many argue that the inquiry must go deeper. Society must consider whether these products are needed and whether better alternatives exist for meeting those needs. Still, it can be seen that in certain circumstances, such as in resource poor countries, GE has proven helpful. South African farmers farm millions of acres of genetically engineered corn, soybeans and cotton. Plantings of biotechnology in Africa have significantly increased each year. Farmers have increased their incomes by US $56 million and reduced pesticide applications by 150,000 kg between commercial-scale introduction in 1997 and 2004. Issues raised against GE:While scientific progress on molecular biology has a great potential to increase our understanding of nature and provide new medical tools, opponents say it should not be used as justification to turn the environment into a giant genetic experiment by commercial interests. The biodiversity and environmental integrity of the world's food supply is too important to our survival to be put at risk. Following this most recent decision protest has arisen from Goodman Fielder, Australia's largest food manufacturer, and Coles Supermarkets, on behalf of 90% of its consumers that oppose GM foods. Many other food companies have removed GE food from their products, in response to consumer pressure. Such concerns include:
Abundant Earth 100% GE freeAt Abundant Earth we believe that further independent research is necessary to assess the safety of GE foods before they are freely imposed on the food-chain. Until then, consumers deserve the right to know what GE foods they consume via labelling and have the power to choose a diet that is GE free, if they so desire. By choosing certified organic foods, this assurance is guaranteed. More information is available from the Food Standards Australia/New Zealand 'Frequently asked questions on GM foods' fact sheet. |
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