In 2002-03, approximately $4.5m worth of horticultural projects funded through HAL included a biotechnology component. Biotechnology is a modern field of science that will underpin advances in all aspects of plant research and it may deliver new knowledge, technologies and products in the future. This booklet aims to present a brief overview of gene technology in horticultural commodities in Australia and highlight examples of research underway. It also provides an overview of the science involved in gene technology, the regulation of gene technology in Australia, current gene technology products in the market and what some industry groups are thinking in relation to the technology.