Walsh St Workshop Forum

AusBiotech 2004: Visions of Biotechnology - a Community Forum into 2020

Projecting to the year 2020, leading biotechnology researchers will take you on a journey into the future potential, benefits, risks and opportunities in a Community Forum 'Biotechnology 2020'.

A panel of experts spanning the biotechnology field, from stem cells, agrifood, medicines, developing country technologies, the environment and industrial processes will open their labs and industry knowledge to a sneak peak of what the future may hold.

The evening will be an open discussion with brief presentations and time for questions and discussion. There will also be a community voting 'Digi-vote' system to gauge the audiences opinion.

MC will be Craig Cormick, Manager Public Awareness, Biotechnology Australia and the evening will be chaired by Wayne Hall, Director, Officer of Public Policy and Ethics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB).

The speaker panel includes:
*What is in the biotechnology pipeline? - Linda Blackall, Environmental Biotechnology CRC
*Future concerns - Jeremy Tager, Greenpeace
*Medical advances - David Hume, IMB
*Developing country perspectives - James Dale, QUT
*Social concerns and risk perceptions - Janet Grice, UQ
*New products we might see - Greg Harper, CSIRO

WHEN: Sunday 7 November 2004
TIME: 7.30pm - 9.00pm
WHERE: Institute for Molecular Bioscience Theatre, Carmody Road, University of Queensland, St Lucia

ALL INVITED, FREE ENTRY

Information: www.ausbiotech.org

Hi Hammy,

Thanks for the comments on Wednesday's post (I tried to add this to the comments feature but alas my response has been deemed too long-winded.)

I don't know where you got your 20b figure from, but nonetheless you are correct in saying that globally, food availability and consumption rates have increased in the last 20 years. This of course is largely due to all those fat Americans supersizing their happy meals. fnar fnar.

Obviously if we could just share it all around a little better, we could end starvation. But as I'm sure you appreciate, this is an extremely simple take on the matter.

First of all, logistically it's nearly impossible to transport large quantities of food to third world nations without it spoiling. I wouldn't like to depend on Europe for my fresh foods. Secondly, to continually transport such quantities would be insurmountably expensive. To look at the situation globally is interesting, but it's certainly a lot more complicated than that. Food resources must come locally. Most of these nations simply couldn't afford continuous imports of their food stock. Not to mention the obvious benefits to the country being able to stand on its own two feet in producing their own food. I don't think anybody really wants to see entire nations being so dependent on imports for their food supplies.

The following are excerpts from last years FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) technical report.
__________________________________________________
The target of the World Food Summit in 1996, to reduce the number of hungry by half from its level in 1990-92 (815 million) by 2015, will not even be met by 2030.

The developing countries will become increasingly dependent on cereal, meat and milk imports, their production will not keep pace with demand. By 2030 they could be producing only 86 percent of their own cereal needs, with net imports rising from currently 103 million tonnes to 265 million tonnes by 2030. However, the poorest countries tend to be the least able to pay for imports."

In the next 30 years, developing countries will need an additional 120 million ha for crops. The expansion will mainly take place in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. A considerable part of this extra land will probably come from forest clearance. In other developing regions, almost all suitable land is already in use. Some countries and communities will face problems related to land scarcity.

At global level there is enough water available, but some regions will face serious water shortages. A 14 percent increase in water withdrawals for irrigation is expected for developing countries by 2030. One in five developing countries will be suffering water scarcity. Two countries, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Saudi-Arabia, are already using more water for irrigation than their annual renewable resources, by drawing on fossil groundwater. In large areas of India and China, ground-water levels are falling by 1 to 3 metres per year. These regions will need to use water more efficiently. Agriculture is responsible for about 70 percent of all fresh water withdrawn for human use.

Climate change could increase the dependency of some developing countries on food imports. The overall effect of climate change on global food production by 2030 is likely to be small. Production will probably be boosted in developed countries. Hardest hit will be small-scale farmers in areas affected by drought, flooding, salt water intrusion or sea surges. Some countries, mainly in Africa, are likely to become more vulnerable to food insecurity.
__________________________________________________

As discussed, the bulk of new research into GMO's is in the field of helping bolster plants' natural defences against drought and salinity.

Of course, developing nation starvation rates are due to a multitude of complex issues, but the point I was trying to make the other night was that perhaps this can be met by an opposing force of multiple solutions.

Hey, how's this for timing?

At 12 noon today, the Victorian Agricultural Minister extended moratorium on genetically modified canola crops a further 4 years.

Here are some excerpts from AusBiotech's response:

AusBiotech Members are concerned at the broader implications of this decision - the affect on the whole biotechnology and agricultural industry and Victoria's position as a global force in the agriscience field.

"This decision has potential impacts at the investment, partnership, research, environmental, farmer and community level," Dr Coulepis said.

AusBiotech calls for the Victorian State Government to release the independent Lloyd Report, which was commissioned to answer questions during the mutually agreed pause of commercial GM crop planting in 2003 in Victoria.

"AusBiotech Members cannot believe that there has been a lack of transparency and consultation on this decision - through the Lloyd Report not being released and due consultation not occurring before the four year moratorium was announced today." [I think he's stolen this line from the press release by the monash protesters -J]

"The four year time period is a complete mystery. This is a very long time in the rapidly developing innovative technology arena and may place the Victorian agriscience industry at a position of global disadvantage from which the industry may not be able to recover," Dr Coulepis cautioned.

The decision comes at an odd time as the State Government is finalising its' Biotechnology Strategic Development Plan-2' that firmly states its intention to be in the top five global biotech locations by 2010, and holds agriscience as a core capability and opportunity area for the state.

"The Australian biotechnology industry needs to firmly unite to provide a clear voice to the international community that Australia is still a place to do business. This is a difficult message to sell when we are preventing the introduction of enabling technologies that are trying to solve some of the greatest challenges facing society today," Dr Coulepis said.

The lesson of today's decision to industry is to work as a united voice and to reach all people.

AusBiotech will be working closely with government and key representatives to look at the development of reasonable trials with farmers to be included under this decision.

"When all of the facts are there - sound science, regulatory approval, human safety, market access, environmental benefits and global competitiveness... it makes it hard to respond to Members suggesting that today's unfortunate decision is pure politics," Dr Coulepis said.

Read also their press release on the 24th: http://www.ausbiotech.org/pdf/media24032004.pdf

The Victorian Farmers Federation, who have pushed for an end to the ban, will respond to the government decision later today.
- AAP

Also of note... back in my motherland, today Canada announced a further $60million would go towards genome science research.

Hey All,

I knew that GM discussion would get motors racing... rrrrrrrhhhhrrrr.

In the interest of kicking off the workshop website, I'd firstly like to request that Dewi puts up her recipe (appropriately vetted to remove all family secrets of course) so that we can all make yummy (and triangular - Theo... I'm looking at you) curry puffs at home.

Secondly, I'm very happy for anyone to post up their opinion on GM food, or comments or questions or arguments if that's your bag. I'll do my best to respond if it's something I know anything about. I know there were a few legitimate issues raised that I shot down pretty quickly in the interest of time. Mel and Jimmy, you made a couple of points that are important to address, and I share some of those concerns.

You'll have to be quick tho, coz I'm skipping town in a week, probably to wind up somewhere where there are no internet cafes. So Bring It! "Oh, I'll bring it. Just make sure you'll bring it." "Yeah well... The Clash... circa 1977 to 1983...ish."

Peace & Love

I think that theo's Pecs are amazing and we all should pester him to host another episode of ""Theo's Tempestuous Tumbling Tales" or maybe just a few handstands in the park.

anonymous

Ok ok... HERE IT IS!!

The revamped whitandwhimsy is now known as the WALSH ST WORKSHOP FORUM.

Post all thoughts on Amber's massaging skills here.

Personally, I thought there could have been more happy endings.

It seems that we have been discovered by a member of the opposition. It's nothing to fear sweet apprentice, he will go to hell. We need to arrange a meeting. I can meet you at the secret cubby haus at oh five hundred hours alpha niner. i'll be wearing the black carnation. till then...

There comes a time when the apprentice must learn and turn from they're nasty bad-man ways. No longer can you live in ignorance, in arrogance of which you think is success. I have been beamed to this earth to spread the word and enforce reason and html scripting. So go forth and view the "template" section of the battle field. Go forth and replicate the 'script to /script' and KNOW that this weapon i give you is powerful!!!

There is one more thing to learn young padwan. You must learn the silence of a ninja, become as sharp as a ninja's katana and unseen like a ninja's genitalia. For below the script 'weapon of monitor destruction' is the means to move through the source code like the net-ninja, a code warrior.

go forth and use this wisely, for a mistake can detonate a nuke and kill the whole page....

I think my attack was diverted. I sense a strong force on the opposing side. Jesse is his name. Beware, for his l33t skills nearly match mine. FEAR NOT!!! For i shall cast foward an alert message that will annoy him and his pesky html skills.

mission acomplished... Dewi's gonna kill someone!

No tattle telling now... As if they're gonna guess that it was me...who else would do soemthing like that...

mr mysterious

The only way to succeed Rol, is to play the turtle's race against the Hare. Keep it steady, yes that's it. Slowly, surely. We will prevail, don't you worry young digi-terrorist. We can't rush in "<"head">" first. You are right, we must be subtle.

You must be the leader, oh cyber-punktured one. Delegate to me my mission and it shall be done.

Finally some input...