1 GMOs and Society

The discussion on GMOs and society is constructed around 12 major questions that have polarised debate on the subject, namely: What is the current status of GM crops, particularly in the Australasian region? Are the net economic benefits of GM crops likely to be positive or negative? Can the “Precautionary principle ” ever be consistent with “Substantial equivalence”? How important are GM crops likely to be in poverty reduction in developing countries? Are the overall environmental benefits of GM crops positive or negative? GM crops – health hazard, health wonder or mostly irrelevant? Who really benefits – big business, farmers, or consumers? IP management – necessary for research and investment in GM crop development or only a tool for the rich to get richer? Labelling and segregation chains – consumer right to choose or unworkable apartheid? Can regulatory systems evolve that can please everyone? Is it possible not to take sides- Why is there so much opposition? Hope or hype? Has the technology been oversold? Is universal adoption inevitable? Media summary This paper summarises some of the arguments that are currently used for and against production of genetically-modified (GM) crops. It proposes a likely scenario akin to that for nuclear energy, in which some countries will be strong adopters while others will not adopt GM crops even after the technology has been available elsewhere for several decades. Key word