"The moves announced today(external link) by the Government are welcome after decades of inaction on regulations for genetic modification and gene editing. Much of the rest of the world has already made changes, or is in the process of making changes, to accommodate gene technologies that are now more precise and safer than they have ever been. In some cases, these technologies have been safely used overseas for decades now.
The approach proposed for New Zealand, which excludes “low-risk and well-understood gene technologies” from regulation, is sensible. We know that certain changes made by gene editing, for example, are virtually indistinguishable from changes that can occur naturally or through conventional breeding of organisms. We support an evidence-based regulatory approach to the risks of any given solution or product, as opposed to focusing on the methods used to produce them.
The health of people and the environment must remain central to any changes, which the Government has recognised, with the intention to establish a gene technology regulator similar to Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. It is essential that a well-designed and equipped regulator is in place to ensure that any genetically modified or gene edited organisms, or products derived from these processes, are safe and deliver what is intended upon release. It is also critical that New Zealanders have confidence that any proposed changes that might affect their environment or food supply are subject to the appropriate level of scrutiny, and that communities feel heard on these issues.
Among the solutions being worked on in New Zealand are pastures enhanced through use of gene technologies to increase farm productivity, improve livestock health and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture – for example, research on modified white clover that feeds livestock. A lot of these solutions take many years to trial, test and refine, and we don’t expect a flood of new products to be proposed for release in New Zealand in the early stages of a new regulator.
It is encouraging, however, to hear that an initial list of non-regulated activities will be communicated to provide certainty to researchers, so that we can plan and the work can get potentially get underway as soon as the new legislation and regulations come into force. We look forward to hearing more about what this regulator will look like and the continued involvement of our researchers – who have extensive experience and expertise in gene technologies – in providing advice and working with the regulator.
While there has been a national conversation building in recent years on use of these gene technologies, the introduction of new laws and regulations is likely to bring it to the attention of a wider group of New Zealanders who have not necessarily paid attention to the topic previously. It is important that these people have access to trusted information, so they feel informed on these issues. That is where organisations like AgResearch also have a role to play."
Find out more about the gene tech programmes AgResearch scientists are working on here.
