GM-free Is The Way To Be

Fran Murrell first learnt about GM food and crops in 1995. Her initial enthusiasm faded when she found that the GM reality is far from the myths of healthy, abundant, beneficial crops. In 2007, when the Victorian government announced they may lift the ban on growing GM canola, she set up MADGE with two other non-GM campaigners. They dressed up as cows and attracted quite a herd to the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria meeting. MADGE hoped to persuade them to vote against feeding their cows GM canola. When the farmers ignored MADGE's request Fran established the MADGE website www.madge.org.au and started a digest on food issues including how to avoid GM. The digest also celebrates all the wonderful non-GM food initiatives springing up locally and globally.

Bob Phelps founded Gene Ethics in 1988 and is the network's Executive Director. He is an educator, environmental campaigner, policy analyst and commentator on new technologies and their products, with 40 years experience in the Australian and global social change movements. He promotes public understanding and debate on the economic, environmental, social, health, economic and ethical impacts of genetic, nano and other technologies and their products. Mr. Phelps is a leading participant in forums on biosafety, food labelling standards, and regulation. He serves on the Office of Gene Technology Regulator's Ethics and Community Consultation Committee and the Victoria University of Technology's Institutional Biosafety Committee. Bob is a sought after speaker on Genetic Manipulation (GM) issues and appears often in print, radio and television media as a public interest spokesperson. His articles are published widely