The Gene Technology Information Service
The GTIS was established to meet a growing community need for balanced and factual information on biotechnology. We are funded by the Australian Government (Biotechnology Australia) and operate in partnership with the University of Melbourne, CSIRO and relevant Australian government departments and authorities. Our office is based at the University of Melbourne's Bio21 Institute.
The GTIS has a free information service and an outreach program to help raise awareness about biotechnology and the associated issues. Our ultimate aim is to help people make an informed decision, especially with the more controversial technologies.
GTIS Information Service
The GTIS provides a range of balanced and factual information including basic explanations and facts about the science, its applications and the issues behind technologies such as genetically modified (GM) foods, stem cells, cloning, gene therapy and regulation.
GTIS Outreach
In collaboration with Biotechnology Australia and its participating organisations, the GTIS participates in outreach projects that include the following:
- Taking an information booth to public events such as agricultural field days; the Royal Sydney and Melbourne shows, and rural shows; and Melbourne’s Federation Square for Medical Research Week Expo
- Talks and presentations to clubs, societies and schools
- Attendance at relevant conferences either as a trade display or speaker
The outreach program helps increase awareness of biotechnology, its uses and implications for society, and hopefully helps stimulate public interest and debate.