Catalyst - This special looks at genetically modified food. Will it help to feed the increasing number of hungry mouths into the future? Or is it a genetic time bomb threatening the health of crops, livestock and people? Catalyst investigates the state of the genetically modified food production. Explores the history of various conventional techniques of modifying plant DNA, including cross-breeding, mutational breeding and embryo rescue. Traces the world's first commercially available genetically engineered food, the tomato, in the USA. Graham Phillips talks to the scientists responsible for developing GM foods and learns of the regulatory requirements already in place. Explores finding ways to minimise the waste could help meet the 70 per cent increase in demand for food that is expected by 2050. There are only two food crops approved for growing in Australia - canola and cotton - and many would like to see no more grown until rigorous safety testing is carried out. Mark Horstman seeks out the views of the research scientists and the concerned activists, who recently razed a GM wheat crop under trial by the CSIRO.1. Agriculture - Environmental aspects ; 2. Field crops ; 3. Genetically engineered food