Redesigning Nature. Gene Technology

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Description

To many scientists, gene technology is just another agricultural tool to help us grow bigger and better crops and livestock. But to others, like environmentalists and consumer advocates, the genetic manipulation of the plants and animals we eat poses huge risks that might not be worth taking. This program explores both sides of this controversial debate as it highlights specific ways in which genes have been manipulated to alter a plant's or animal's characteristics. These include the creation of crops that resist the use of herbicides or have built-in insecticides, potatoes that don't spoil, and rice with the potential to protect eyesight. We examine the facts behind some concerns about gene technology's potential impact on human health and the environment, exploring how new food-labeling laws in Australia provide additional information for those who wish to avoid eating genetically modified material.