Biotech Updates

Australia's Gene Technology Regulator Oks Trial for GM Wheat and Barley

February 17, 2012

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (Australia)  issued a license to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization for the limited and controlled release of a range of GM wheat and barley lines that have been genetically modified (GM) for altered grain composition, nutrient utilization efficiency, disease resistance or stress tolerance.

A trial will be done on one site in the Australian Capital Territory from May 2012 and June 2017. It will assess the agronomic performance and grain properties of the GM wheat and barley lines grown under field conditions. The GM wheat and barley will not be used in commercial human food or animal feed.

Details of the decision are available at http://www.ogtr.gov.au/internet/ogtr/publishing.nsf/Content/dir111