Genetically modified (GM) crops are those plants whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination.

Genetic Modification is a hot potato. People promoting GM technology believe it has the potential to answer any number of difficult issues being bought on by climate change. These include drought and salt resistant strains Those against GM food believe that, however well intentioned it may sound, there is the potential to create unpredicatable consequences. Look what can happen when you import a species to be useful only for it to end up a pest. Imagine how much worse this could be at the gene level?

Monsanto says: "The real dilemma in the next decade is how do you grow more with less". BASF says: "There is this conflict of nutrition on one side, and renewable resources protecting the climate of the earth and the only solution is biotechnology." BASF & Monsanto are joining forces.

For a more detailed assessment of the possible role that GM may play, have a look at Australian Center for Plant Functional Genomics, as climate change is more serious in Australia than any other developed country.

In order to work out whether GM contributes to sustainability:

1. Find out who is coming for dinner.

2. Check who has permission to release GMOs into the environment.

3. Consider the main issues of concern: