A leading CSIRO scientist says there is no reason to fear that future
gene technology will threaten food safety. Deputy chief of plant industry
research, Dr TJ Higgins, says consumers have been using oil from genetically
modified cotton for the past 10 years.
The Northern Territory Government banned the growing of genetically
modified cotton in 2003 due to community concern.

But Dr Higgins says genetically modified cotton uses at least 85 per
cent less pesticide than normal cotton.

He says the community is recognising the role gene technology can play
in slashing the environmental footprint of agricultural production.

"It is controversial but I noticed on the surveys that are being done
now that consumers are much more accepting of the technology," he said.

"They see it as providing certainty to some of the manmade problems
that have occurred.

"I see a change in both consumers' attitudes and farmers' attitudes to
technology. It is now a lot more acceptable."

Strict regulations

Dr Higgins says there are many other popular genetically modified
foods, and strict regulations protect consumer food safety.

"Most of our fish and chips that we eat in fact are cooked in the oil
from cotton seed," he said.

"So we already do and have been consuming food from genetically
modified cotton.

"The regulator has also approved 33 other foods for consumption.

"So there are already many products that are in the food chain that we
have been consuming safely."

Dr Higgins says genetic modification could revolutionise tropical
fruit industries such as mangoes, Asian vegetables and livestock production.

"Gene technology could play a major role in the Territory in terms of
improving animal breeding, or even in terms of crop production like
vegetables and fruit trees," he said.

"This is a technology that can be applied in the Territory and can
enhance the Territories reputation as a producer of affordable and safe
food."

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