Future Food: Overview : SBS Insight

Overview

Some say genetically modifying crops is is the only way to feed the world's exploding population, while others warn we have no idea of dangers involved.

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Consumers, health professionals, scientists, farmers, food manufacturers and industry experts debate whether genetically modified crops are the answer to the increasing difficulty of producing food.

There is some scientific and consumer concern that there has not been enough independent testing of genetically modified foods.

What are the long term effects of eating genetically modified foods, if any? Does our current labelling on foods allow us to make informed choices about what we eat?

When genetically modified crops were first sown a decade ago they were touted as the solution for feeding the hungry on a global scale. In practice, has the cultivation of GM crops made a difference?

Meet the Guests

Dr Christopher Preston

Dr Preston is a senior lecturer in plant and food science at the University of Adelaide and believes the introduction of genetically modified crops will benefit Australian farmers.

Dr Judy Carman

Epidemiologist Dr Judy Carman is the director of the Institute for Health and Environmental Studies and is a strong opponent of genetically modified food.

Jeff Bidstrup

Southern Queensland farmer Jeff Bidstrup is the national convener of The Producers Forum. He has been growing genetically modified cotton for 12 years and believes GM crops are the much needed revolution in Australian agriculture.

Graham Strong

Graham is a farmer from Narrandera in NSW. He wants to keep his cereal crops GM-free but feels this will be impossible now the moratorium on GM crops has been lifted in NSW and Victoria.