GM wheat coming
China is apparently investing millions to develop transgenic wheat, CSIRO has applied to Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator for the limited and controlled release of up to 16 genetically modified wheat varieties. Grain characteristics altered include carbohydrate and protein composition that can infleunce baking qualities and nutritional characteristics, such as glycemic index and metabolic health.
Victoria’s Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has already conducted trials of drought tolerant transgenic wheat.
Theoretically then it is only a matter of time before some form of GM wheat hits the market.
If I was to guess the public’s response to this by reading the Blogs and mainstream media, my money would be on complete rejection of any such GM wheat product.
But if I was to make that call based on conversations with the general public and workshops I conduct with students, teachers and community groups (Rotary and Probus clubs, and the University of the Third Age – U3A), I think that many of those transgenic wheats would be accepted, some without hesitation, others with trepidation, but on the whole accepted.
What I find with these workshops, where I merely facilitate a discussion on people’s thoughts about a number of different GM crops, is that people, without thinking, judge each crop individually based on the merits or otherwise of the crop. And these judgements will change depending on those potential merits or risks.
Throughout the discussion people might swing from acceptance to non-acceptance, or visa versa, or range anywhere within the middle. I have yet to see a blanket acceptance or non-acceptance of GM crops. Yes some people have concerns about GM crops, but nearly all are basing their judgement on how acceptable they find the potential risks. For example, the crops Bt cotton and Vitamin A (beta-carotene) fortified rice have tended to produce a spread of people ranging from completely acceptable to about the middle, with the occasional person nudging the unacceptable end. But when the drought-tolerant transgenic cereal crops are presented nearly all find the application in this instance completely acceptable. Suddenly any potential risk becomes acceptable as Australia’s prolonged drought and the threats from climate change drive their opinion this way. That is, there may be concerns, but in this situation any risks become acceptable.
So, will transgenic wheat successfully run the public gauntlet? My guess is that a lot will depend on the transgenic characteristics of the wheat. Drought tolerance will most likely have a greater chance than say herbicide tolerance. I am unsure how wheat with a “better” nutritional profile will go. I would be interested to know from anyone reading this what would or would not be acceptable and why.
A recent article from Scientific American discusses the risk to the world’s wheat crops from a new fungus. Scientists are concerned this fungus could decimate crops before a resistant strain could be bred. Is transgenic technology to prevent such a scenario acceptable here?
David Tribe’s blog (GMO Pundit) also presents some news and opinion items about GM wheat.
Plus the GNTIS web site has fact sheets on GM, risks, benefits, myths and the science behind it – www.gntis.edu.au
Jason Major
Manager, GNTIS
