The road to the future for Canada's agriculture industry is paved with new ideas and creative thinking, with progress spurred on by the desire to go where no one has ever gone. The trip down this road is exciting, but the possibility of bumps and curves on untravelled territory can raise apprehension and sometimes anxiety. Canada's biotechnology industry is a long-time traveller on this road, but its newest engine, the ability to genetically enhance food, has some people worried it will exceed a safe speed. Nothing proceeds down that road unless it is safe, based on the latest and best scientific knowledge we have.
Biotechnology can be a confusing term.
Simply put, it refers to the use of biology as a tool to create new products. This has been going on for years with everything from using enzymes to make cheese, to carefully breeding plants to make them healthier and better. Now, biotechnology is moving beyond its traditional roots to what is sometimes called genetic enhancement. With today's technology, scientists can actually transfer the genetic material from one living thing to enhance the characteristics of another. This process of genetic engineering offers tremendous new possibilities for the agriculture and agri-food industry.