Australian new chief scientist cheers for GM foods

New chief scientist cheers for GM foods

Samantha Maiden

AUSTRALIAÂ’S new chief scientist is an award-winning molecular plant science expert who preaches the benefits of genetically modified foods.

After a nine-month search to fill the vacant post, CSIRO scientist Jim Peacock, 68, will take on the role of the nationÂ’s top adviser on science.

Former chief scientist Robin Batterham resigned in May after a storm of controversy over his part-time role and claims of a conflict of interest with his private-sector employment as chief technologist at mining giant Rio Tinto.

Mr Peacock is almost certain to take on the job full-time after previously criticising Mr BatterhamÂ’s part-time role.

Described as one of the CSIRO’s ‘‘ living treasures’’, Mr Peacock led one of the organisation’s most successful sections, the plant industry division, for 25 years.

He has scotched arguments that GM crops could become eco-vandals by rejecting claims genes could ‘‘ jump the fence’’ and infect neighbouring crops with GM-modified genes.

One of his passions is the secrets behind the genes that control when a plant flowers the key to developing GM crops. Last year, the agriscientist warned that state government bans on the planting ofGMcanola crops were costing the economy hundreds of millions of dollars worth of exports.

‘ We can change our foods so that our most common staple foods will help guard against the onset of these diseases and will make a significant contribution to reducing the enormous expenditure of therapeutic medicine,’’ he told the National Press Club at the time.

‘‘ Diabetes is the epidemic of the 21st century. If the important starch component of these cereals had a low glycemic index, we would be a long way to reducing the incidence and severity of diabetes.’’

Mr Peacock was also a co-recipient of the inaugural Prime MinisterÂ’s Science Prize in 2000 and is a member of the Prime MinisterÂ’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council.

In 2004, Mr Peacock slammed the Howard Government’s attempts to back money-spinning science at the expense of basic, ‘‘ public good’’ research.

As president of the Australian Academy of Science, Mr Peacock has also argued the position should be fulltime to ensure the chief scientist could advise the government without any suggestion of bias.