The basic DNA discovery on which today s biotechnology industry is based too place in the 1950 s. Dr. Deborah Buszard, Dean of McGill University s Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science, presented the policy paper. Summarizing the Deans position paper, Dr. Buszard said the challenge is basically to feed the world and save the planet. She said the rate of increase in food production is declining since the agriculture land base cannot be expanded. The only new way to increase food is by new technology - to make the plants themselves more productive, she said.
Genetic modification can produce plants that are disease and pest resistant.
Another threat to food production is the potential climate change. If the forecasts of global warming are correct, Dr. Buszard said, the Palliser triangle in southern Saskatchewan will become a desert, the irrigated area of southern Alberta will become unproductive and the farming area will move north. We can provide answers through research, but we can t fill the job demand. A lively exchange with Members of Parliament on the Committee followed with questions focusing chiefly on how to stem the brain drain of research scientists and on the political and ethical aspects of biotechnology. Nearly all of the Deans cited examples of students and staff lost to the United States for higher salaries and more research funding.