GMO: Where will be the biggest benefits under looser regulations?
In the first of a week-long series, NBR looks at the pros and cons of relaxing New Zealand’s genetic modification laws.
Fiona Rotherham
Mon, 15 Jul 2024
Key points
- What’s at stake: New Zealand’s outdated genetic modification legislation is being overhauled with new laws due to be introduced to the House later in the year. Getting the balance between protection and appropriate risk is crucial.
- Background: New Zealand scientists have been clamouring for change because New Zealand’s restrictive legislation is behind that of many other countries but GE opponents warn about damaging the country’s clean, green image and the risks to organic farmers.
- Main players: Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Judith Collins, Alec Foster, Scion, GE-Free New Zealand, Claire Bleakley, Jon Carapiet, Biotech NZ, Zahra Champion, CAR T-cell therapy, Graham Le Gros, BioOra, Malaghan Institute, Professor Dan Tompkins, Predator Free 2050, Professor Peter Dearden, Associate professor Tim Hore, Prem Maan, Southern Pastures.
Quick explainer:
- Genetic modification organisms (GMO): any organism that has been genetically modified through any genetic engineering technique, including transgenic organisms.
- Genetic modification (GM): The act of utilising genetic technology to modify the genome of an organism, also referred to as genetic engineering. This doesn’t include traditional breeding techniques
- Gene editing (GE): Gene editing is a precise form of genetic modification/genetic engineering that enables targeted changes to the DNA sequence.
- New genomic techniques (NGT): New genome techniques cover a diverse collection of techniques all of which have different levels of specificity or precision. All NGTs are techniques used to modify the genome of an organism.
Source: Aotearoa Circle report on modern genetic technology.
Providing a cure for cancer is a key argument used by Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins for ending the effective ban on genetic modified organisms (GMO), though she also claims the benefits will be far and wide for New Zealand’s economy.
Genetic modification (GM) has
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Fiona Rotherham
Mon, 15 Jul 2024
Contact the Writer: fiona@nbr.co.nz
News tip? Question? Typo? Let us know: editor@nbr.co.nz
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Key points
- What’s at stake: New Zealand’s outdated genetic modification legislation is being overhauled with new laws due to be introduced to the House later in the year. Getting the balance between protection and appropriate risk is crucial.
- Background: New Zealand scientists have been clamouring for change because New Zealand’s restrictive legislation is behind that of many other countries but GE opponents warn about damaging the country’s clean, green image and the risks to organic farmers.
- Main players: Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Judith Collins, Alec Foster, Scion, GE-Free New Zealand, Claire Bleakley, Jon Carapiet, Biotech NZ, Zahra Champion, CAR T-cell therapy, Graham Le Gros, BioOra, Malaghan Institute, Professor Dan Tompkins, Predator Free 2050, Professor Peter Dearden, Associate professor Tim Hore, Prem Maan, Southern Pastures.
Quick explainer:
- Genetic modification organisms (GMO): any organism that has been genetically modified through any genetic engineering technique, including transgenic organisms.
- Genetic modification (GM): The act of utilising genetic technology to modify the genome of an organism, also referred to as genetic engineering. This doesn’t include traditional breeding techniques
- Gene editing (GE): Gene editing is a precise form of genetic modification/genetic engineering that enables targeted changes to the DNA sequence.
- New genomic techniques (NGT): New genome techniques cover a diverse collection of techniques all of which have different levels of specificity or precision. All NGTs are techniques used to modify the genome of an organism.
Source: Aotearoa Circle report on modern genetic technology.
GMO: Where will be the biggest benefits under looser regulations?
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