Introduction

Irish-specific GM studies

International research studies

Introduction

As the largest provider of knowledge-based services to the agri-food sector, Teagasc occupies, through its scientific reputation and impartiality, a leadership position in the industry's development. In line with the national vision for the creation of an innovation driven culture, the organisation will aim to stregthen its own capaibilty and performance, as a basis for raising the technological absorptive capacity of the industry.

The Teagasc mission statement is clear in this regard:

To generate and apply new knowledge for the sustainable development of agriculture and the food processing industry to enable it to respond profitably to consumer demands and requirements and contribute to a vibrant rural economy and society

To this end the objective of gmoInfo is to encourage a greater understanding of the issues surrounding GM technology and how it impacts on Irish agriculture and society as a whole. Central to this is the need to inform the public of research findings that originate from impartial, peer-reviewed studies undertaken in Ireland. These Irish-specific studies have been carried out by Teagasc through collaborations with Irish Universities, primarily NUI Maynooth, University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin.

Biotechnology Centre, Carlow

To maintain an independent perspective on the GM debate, the GM research programme at Teagasc does not seek or receive funding from either the proponents (e.g. Monsanto, BASF, Pioneer) or opponents (e.g. Greenpeace, Soil Association) of GM technology.

Indeed, the research described below has been funded through the competitive grant schemes of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture & Food or through Teagasc internal funding mechanisms.

As the Teagasc GM research programme has finite resources, we have had to prioritise our research goals. As such, several issues remain to be addressed. In consideration of this, international research studies that are most relevant to Ireland have been reviewed and a synopsis of their conclusions provided for your information.

Critically, only scientific studies that have undergone an impartial peer-review process have been considered. This is essential in order to ensure that the published scentific findings are based on a sound methodology and reliable experimental design.

Irish-specific GM studies

1. Predicted Willingness of Irish Farmers to Adopt GM Technology (LATEST PUBLICATION !)

2. Relevance of GM crops in light of future challenges to the agri-environment

3. Co-existence between GM and non-GM potato is possible

4. Quantifying the spread of pollen between grass species

5. Economic impact of a GM-free Ireland

6. The expanding remit of potato in the age of biotechnology

7. Calculating the tendency for Irish crops to spread their genes

8. Cost/benefit analysis of cultivating GM crops in Ireland

9. Ecological and economic consequences of GM crop cultivation in Ireland