Gene technology can introduce desirable traits into food crops far more rapidly than conventional breeding techniques. These include giving crops greater ability to resist pests, diseases, drought, frost and waterlogging. They also include enhanced protein content, healthier oils, and the addition or enhancement of essential nutrients such as iron. It also helps improve food storage, to reduce the one-quarter of the world's food supply presently lost in the market chain. These are important for solving immediate problems of health and nutrition, food shortage and environmental degradation.
Properties being improved include protein quality and iron content.
Current GM crops have been genetically modified mainly to benefit farmers and the environment. Insect protection and herbicide tolerance are the most common traits introduced into crops. But these also help keep food cheaper for the consumer and reduce the use of pesticides in the food chain. New GM foods on the drawing board will provide consumers with enhanced nutritional products and foods of better quality. There are no whole GM fruits, vegetables or cereals presently on the Australian market.