In this interview, futurologist Ian Pearson talks about his profession, explains why he doesn't think we will understand intelligent machines when they finally arise, and discusses the convergence of nanoscience, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science.

Extra funding announced for Australia's centre for plant genomics.

Nowhere is the potential of agricultural biotechnology and GM crops more obvious than in Africa, as Graeme O'Neill reports.

GM giant Monsanto may be the bete noire of the anti-GM movement, but its scientists, particularly in India, are moving ahead with the Green Revolution, as Graeme O'Neill reports.

Most of Australia's leading healthcare firms are expected to post strong first-half profit growth and provide positive outlook statements as the benefits of takeovers and spin-offs start to filter through, according to analysts.

Auckland-based BrainZ (ASX:BZI), which develops monitors for the detection of brain injury, listed on the ASX today at AUD$0.54, four cents above its issue price of $0.50.

While commercialisation of biotech crops in Australia remains frozen by state moratoriums, South African farmers are following their peers in China, India and South American nations in enthusiastically embracing the new age of agriculture, according to a South African industry leader.

CSIRO Plant Industry researchers have abandoned a project to develop a genetically modified field pea with resistance to the pea weevil, Bruchus pisorum.

EU environment ministers dealt a blow to efforts to get more GMO crops grown in Europe as they agreed to uphold eight national bans on genetically modified maize and rapeseed types.

Peter Beattie talks to Graeme O'Neill about his vision of the future for Queensland bioscience.

The harvest of Australia's 2004/05 cotton crop, the first to involve full-scale production of new-generation, pest-resistant Bollgard 2 varieties, is nearing completion.