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Biotechnology

Modern plant breeding often uses a technology known as genetic engineering or genetic modification which allows desirable genes to be transferred from one organism to another.

Genetic modification (often known simply as GM) has been widely adopted throughout the world leading to the development of many GM crops. These carry particular genes conferring traits which make them more attractive to growers or consumers than existing forms. Such traits may include insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, ability to cope with harsher climates, higher yields or desirable nutritional factors.

In Australia growing of GM crops is strictly controlled because of concerns about possible health effects, the risk of new plants becoming weeds and other considerations.

In Western Australia GM canola trials at commercial scale are being planted for the first time in 2009. About 850 hectares of canola is being sown in agricultural areas, most of it on farmers’ properties. These trials are very carefully controlled and aim to establish whether the GM canola can be successfully segregated from non-GM canola throughout the supply chain.

The other GM crop now able to be grown in Western Australia is GM cotton on the Ord River Irrigation Area. This has been trialled there successfully for some years where GM forms carrying insecticide resistance have been shown to boost yields and dramatically reduce the need for chemical sprays, benefiting both human health and the environment. In 2009 an exemption order was made allowing cultivation of GM cotton for the first time since 2004.

Interest in GM crops has been strong and the WA Government has issued several media statements:

10 June 2009	Authorised officers ready for canola trials
7 May 2009	Labor loose with truth on GM canola trials
22 April 2009	Media response - Albany Shire’s motion to be declared GM-free
15 April 2009	GM canola trial sites announced
9 April 2009	Non-government members play games on GM trials
26 March 2009	Media response – GM canola trials
18 March 2009	Community briefed on GM trials
23 December 2008	State Government approves small scale commercial GM canola trials
14 November 2008	New potential for GM cotton production in the East Kimberley

Email

Email your GM-crop related questions to: gmcrops@agric.wa.au