Media Release
What will life be like in the year 2020? No one knows the complete answer to this but we can make some educated predictions based on the pace of developments in the world today.
One area of great interest is biotechnology. Already biotechnology is having a marked impact on how we live, in producing new medicines, helping solve environmental problems and providing fuel and food for the future.
Developments in biotechnology are occurring on an almost daily basis but, surprisingly, for many people this whole sector remains something of a mystery.
It's surprising because biotechnology has been with us for thousands of years.
Many of the principles and some of the techniques involved in what we know as biotechnology (a combination of biology and technology) today are ancient and include the first crop domestication by humans about 8000BC.
The process of fermentation, in which microbes are used to produce beer, wine, cheese, bread and yoghurt has also been practised for thousands of years.
Many people on the land use biotechnology on a daily basis. Traditional animal and plant breeding techniques are a form of biotechnology and include genetics and gene technology techniques of ‘crossing’ (hybridising) animals or plants to create a new generation with characteristics from both ‘parents’.
Today, biotechnology is evolving rapidly and it's being applied in a greater number of areas ranging from the medical to the industrial, from the environment to agriculture.
To help members of the public get a better understanding of some of the exciting advances in biotechnology, a special forum will be held at the Monte Pio, New England Highway, Maitland, on the evening of Monday, May 5 from 6-8pm.
Experts from the CSIRO will discuss developments which will affect the future of crops and food. There also will be a demonstration of some of the processes involved in DNA and gene technology.
Entry is free and all members of the public are welcome.
For further information contact: Peter Waterman on 0420 961 486