Parliament’s health select committee has been hearing submissions on the Government’s Gene Technology Bill which would change genetic modification laws.
Also known as genetic engineering or genetic modification, genetic technologies have been used since the 1970s to better understand how genes influence the development of a wide variety of organisms.
Then Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins announced last August that legislation to end New Zealand’s nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab in a move she said would bring “health, productivity and climate gains for New Zealanders”.
The purpose of the Gene Technology Bill is to “enable the safe use of gene technology and regulated organisms in New Zealand”.
The Government says the Bill will help Kiwi farmers, but some are not convinced.
Genomics Aotearoa chairperson William Rolleston said genes had been manipulated by humanity since the dawn of agriculture.
“We’ve turned grass into corn and we’ve turned wolves into chihuahuas and that wouldn’t have happened just by nature, it’s because we as a human species has had a hand in that evolution.
“Genetic modification is another tool. It’s more accurate, it’s more precise.”
He said holding out against genetic engineering would be a bit like being the last country to adopt the automobile.
Farming commentator Duncan Humm said he had been looking for positives from the Bill that would benefit his business but was unable to find any.
“When you quiz the people pushing it, they can’t provide any certainty.”
Yurij Soshnikov is the managing director of Transalpine Honey in Rolleston — a 110-year-old South Island business.
He said he was “heartbroken” to hear of the proposal of the Gene Technology Bill.
“We don’t have any come back from it, you have to understand. It’s one way traffic, it’s going to be always forever.”
Being genetic engineering free was a competitive advantage for the business, he said.
After being introduced to Parliament in December, the Gene Technology Bill is now being considered by the Health Committee, with the committee’s report due in mid-June.
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
