Modern biotechnology-facilitated crop improvement is undoubtedly one of the most significant technological developments in agriculture. The first wave of genetically-modified (GM) or transgenic crops include cultivars with important input traits such as herbicide tolerance and insect resistance....

Modern biology is generating revolutionary advances in genetic knowledge and our capacity to change the genetic make up of crops and livestock. Much of this new science is proprietary, owned both by the private sector and increasingly by advanced public sector researchers, leading to a concern...

Effective agricultural technology uptake depends on a continuum of knowledge within the rural community. Involving government officials, research and extension personnel, producers and consumers in the process of technology development, adaptation and evaluation is often a frustrating and slow...

In this paper I will discuss consumer attitudes to genetically modified foods, as both President of Consumers International and head of the Australian Consumers Association.

Eight hundred million of the world’s 6 billion people don’t have access to adequate nutrition. With world population expected to peak at 7–8 billion within a generation, mostly in developing countries, and with environmental degradation and future water shortages to consider, pressure is...

Farmers will generally support and patronize technologies, including those that utilise genetic modification, to the extent that these reduce their costs of production, improve yields, enhance the quality and acceptability of their products, and increase their incomes and overall economic...