Genetically Modified Crops: A way for the future?

Zac Priest; Erica Mealy

Genetically Modified Crops: A way for the future? explores the intersection of Art, Science and Technology to examine how a lack of knowledge/understanding can turn into fear of scientific development. Research Background Field: Visual Art, Electronics, Agricultural Science Context: Genetically Modified Crops: A way for the future? explores the intersection of Art, Science and Technology to examine how a lack of knowledge/understanding can turn into fear of scientific development. Research Contribution One of the largest issues we are facing is the scarcity of food to not only feed our growing population but maintain the range of food we currently enjoy in Australia. One such developments fighting to protect our way of life is genetic modification of plants. This process, supervised by scientists, is a small change to the selective breeding programs farmers have practiced for hundreds of years. The GM process seeks to develop newly evolved strains of a plants (such as wheat) to protect it from pests and variable water conditions (drought and wet rot from flood). These processes also seek to increase crop yields alongside reducing reliance on harsh chemical fertilisers and scarce and valuable potable water. All these lead to better outcomes for farmers, our land and society as a whole, yet a minority of un or ill-informed have mongered fear that threatens all these advancements – have you sought the answers? Genetically Modified Crops: A way for the future? is a novel use of visual arts and electronics to elicit reflection on the need to seek understanding of scientific development rather than fearing them. Research Significance Genetically Modified Crops: A way for the future? was part of the Science program of ‘Vital Signs: Festival of Art, Science and Ideas’, Co-Presented by Backbone Youth Arts and Metro Arts, and hosted at Metro Arts Brisbane from January 15 – 17, 2016. Genetically Modified Crops: A way for the future? was on display in the Gallery for duration the Festival. Patronage of the festival was over 250 people. Media coverage included Artist interviewed for 4zzz Breakfast with Andrew Bartlett, rolling coverage on Brisbane Radio Station 4ZZZ, Articles in: SceneStr magazine, Concrete Playground Brisbane, XSEntertainment, Australian Cultural Fund, AusDance Qld. Official Partners: Australia Council for the Arts, Brisbane City Council, Arts Queensland, Metro Arts, The Edge, Flip Creative, CPC, 4ZZZ, Scenestr, Creative Distribution, and This Must Be The Place.

Genetically Modified Crops: A way for the future?

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