Candace Holmstrom takes an indepth look at the biotech company, Monsanto for CBC Radio Syndication. Simply put, biotechnology is the use of living organisms, or their parts, to produce new products. They're made from substances produced from other organisms, such as bacteria or fungi. And we can live by our daily bread thanks to the scientist who discovered the yeast that makes it rise. Supporters of biotechnology say the science is dedicated to improving plant and animal species through this kind of selective breeding.
Opponents argue biotechnology produces potentially harmful foods.
The biotech debate comes from the age-old idea that says new isn't always better. The international community knows the cows of the world don't have the same genetic make-up as they did even five years ago. Some people are becoming wary of consuming foods they no longer see as natural. Half of all soya crops have been genetically-altered. Our dogs and cats eat GMOs.