COR111 TASK 1 PART B

Faculty of Science, Health and Education

Assignment Cover Sheet – COR111

Personal Details

Student: Kim Strong

Student Number: 1040535

Email Address:

Course Details

Course Code & Title: COR111 – Environment, Technology and

Sustainability

Tutor: James Lee

Tutorial Time: Wednesday 5-7pm

Assessment Name: Task 1 – Part B

Due Date: 10/05/2009

Date Received:

Declaration

The work in this assessment is entirely my own, with acknowledgments where

relevant. I hereby declare that I have made a copy of the assessment item and can
make the copy available to my tutor should it be necessary. I understand that this
assignment may undergo electronic detection for plagiarism and a copy of the
assignment may be retained on a University database and used to make comparisons
with other assignments.

Signed: Kim Strong Date: 20/04/2009

Kim Strong
1040535
Semester 1
2009
 COR111 TASK 1 PART B

COR111 - TASK 1 PART B

Anonymous. 2008, ‘Report says biotechnology can tackle global warming’. ABC

Rural News, 17 December, viewed 10 April 2009, ANZ Newsstand.

Climate change is a reality supported by empirical evidence such as long term

increases in average temperatures, melting of glaciers and polar ice caps and rising

sea levels (IPCC, 2007). Despite the debate by researchers and scientists over whether

these changes are a result of natural or human phenomena there is consensus on the

fact that sustainable long term strategies developed in an holistic context are essential

for human survival and sustainability. These strategies are either mitigatory, such as

emission reduction or adaptive whereby products and processes are developed that

enable humans to survive the effects of global warming such as water conservation or

the use of air conditioners (Milne et al., 2008).

Biotechnology offers both mitigation and adaptation as it can develop new cultivars,

hybrids leading to improved practices, products and environmental management as

well as reduced emissions. At present the agricultural sector accounts for up to 18%

of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions (Glover et al., 2008). There are three

generations of biotechnology products – the first relates to agronomy and includes

increased herbicide resistance and better drought resistance; the second seeks to

improve quality of nutritional traits which could also impact positively on public

health; and the third generation involves crops as renewable sources of materials such

as industry specific enzymes or enhanced sugar concentrations for ethanol production

(Cockburn, 2004).

Kim Strong
1040535
Semester 1
2009
 COR111 TASK 1 PART B

In a report on Climate Change – Solutions for Australia a six point strategy was

tabled requiring immediate action to reduce and trade greenhouse gases, reduce

energy consumption, adapt infrastructure, innovate new business opportunities and

initiate a proactive leadership responsible for finding solutions (Coleman et al., 2004)

all of which make a strong prima facie case for biotechnology as a significant option.

Those arguing the case for biotechnology infer that it is an exact science because the

trans-gene responsible for impregnating the host is a specific laboratory construct. Yet

the process of impregnation of the genome and the resultant outcomes are for the most

part unknown especially when considering the long term evolutionary impact.

Furthermore, the argument that biotechnology could develop crop strains to

compensate for dietary deficiency such as “golden rice” high in vitamin A is

countered by the suggestion that diversity in conventional agriculture offers a more

practical solution such as growing vitamin rich supplementary crops like squash

(Benbrook, 2008).

Research indicates that global warming and climate change will adversely effect food

production and acknowledges that the mechanics are complex, diverse and uncertain

(McMichael, 2001). Increasing world populations and finite resources require humans

to maximise efficiencies and introduce sustainable processes utilising all the relevant

technologies at hand – biotechnology is one of them although the extent of its

contribution has yet to be determined.

Kim Strong
1040535
Semester 1
2009
 COR111 TASK 1 PART B

Reference list

Benbrook, C., 2008. Dr. Charles Benbrook on Genetic Engineering. [Online]

Available at: http://www.bioneers.org/node/1499 [Accessed 6 May 2009].

Cockburn, A., 2004. Commercial plant breeding: What is in the biotech pipeline?

Journal of Commercial Biotechnology, 10(3), pp.209-23.

Coleman, T. et al., 2004. Climate change: Solutions for Australia. Sydney: WWF

Australia The Australian Climate Group.

Glover, J. et al., 2008. Australia's crops and pastures in a changing climate - can

biotechnology help? Canberra: Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences.

IPCC, 2007. Summary for Policymakers. In Solomon, S. et al. Climate Change 2007:

The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth

Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

McMichael, A., 2001. Impact of climatic and other environmental changes on food

production and population health in the coming decades. In Proceedings of the

Nutrition Society., 2001.

Milne, M., Stenekes, N. & Russell, J., 2008. Climate Risk and Industry Adaptation.

Study. Canberra: Bureau of Rural Sciences.

Kim Strong
1040535
Semester 1
2009
 COR111 TASK 1 PART B

Anonymous. 2008, ‘GM canola found on roadside: Cropwatch’, ABC Regional

News, 26 November, viewed 10 April 2009, ANZ Newsstand.

There is increasing concern over environmental contamination by genetically

modified crops now being grown in Australia. Although federal approval was given in

2002 for GM canola to be grown, the state governments opposed the decision and a

five year moratorium followed with the first canola seed being sold in 2008 (Gene

Ethics, 2008). There is little consensus on GM crops with strong support on either

side of the issue.

Genetic modification involves altering the genetic profile of an organism by

introducing genetic material from other sources into the host’s genome. There are

three areas of genetic modification involving various techniques and processes. The

first is transgenesis, made possible by the discovery of DNA, where genetic material

is transferred between species in order to develop specific characteristics in an

organism and its progeny (Long et al., 2003). The second is mutagenesis where

chemicals or radiation are used to alter the genetic structure of an organism and

produce a stable mutation (Smith, 1993). The third is cisgenesis which involves the

transference of genes with specific traits between closely related specimens, usually

within the same genus. The process produces the same cultivars as conventional

husbandry but more efficiently which is the basis of the argument that it should not be

subject to the same scrutiny and restrictions as transgenesis and mutagenesis

(Jacobsen & Schouten, 2008).

Kim Strong
1040535
Semester 1
2009
 COR111 TASK 1 PART B

Problems raised include environmental contamination particularly with GM canola as

it is related to Australian plants such as wild radish and wild turnip which can develop

herbicide tolerance as a result of cross-pollination and become super weeds (Gene

Ethics, 2008) which would increase weed control costs for farmers (Network of

Concerned Farmers, 2007). Anti GM lobbyists also allege there are number of

unresolved and unaddressed issues that require further research such as the long term

impact on health caused by the need for stronger herbicides and pesticides to control

contaminated weeds. Policy and legislation are other areas of contention with

advocacy groups demanding more control over labelling and the economic impact of

GM crops for farmers and consumers (Frew, 2006).

Those in support of the GM crops believe that the opposition is a result of

misinformation and a lack of education and awareness (Arntzen et al., 2003). The

argument relating to super weeds is countered with claims that changing the herbicide

and “integrated weed management techniques” are effective measures against

proliferation (Killicoat, 2004). Those for GM point out the positive cost benefits

while those against go to great lengths to prove otherwise (Network of Concerned

Farmers, 2007).

From the literature it is apparent that GM crops are here to stay. There are strong

arguments that suggest a need for more research before the technology is adopted

commercially and that scientists and researchers should be more transparent in order

to raise awareness and educate the public on GM foods. For now, there exists an

Kim Strong
1040535
Semester 1
2009
 COR111 TASK 1 PART B

undercurrent of emotion in the debate which calls for a conservative approach if

people are to benefit from GM technology in the long run. (494)

Reference list

Gene Ethics, 2008. Keep Australia GM Free. [Online] Available at:

http://www.geneethics.org/campaigns/display/4 [Accessed 6 May 2009].

Jacobsen, E. & Schouten, H., 2008. Cisgenesis, a new tool for traditional plant

breeding, should be exempted from the regulation on genetically modified

organisms in a step by step approach. Potato Research, pp.doi:10.1007/s11540-

008-9097-y.

Killicoat, P., 2004. Food Phobias. Policy, 20(1), pp.17-21.

Long, M., Betran, E., Thornton, K. & Wang, W., 2003. The Origin of New Genes:

Glimpses from the Young and Old. Nature Reviews Genetics, 4, pp.865-75.

Network of Concerned Farmers, 2007. The Economics of Genetically Modified

Canola. Network of Concerned Farmers.

Smith, M., 1993. Michael Smith the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1993 - Nobel lecture.

[Online] The Nobel Foundation Available at:

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1993/smith-lecture.html

[Accessed 8 May 2009].

Kim Strong
1040535
Semester 1
2009