Genetic engineering in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Genetic engineering
is a contentious issue in New Zealand
. The possibility that GE crops may be grown in New Zealand
led to a nationwide protest movement including marches in the main centres.
In 2000 the Government appointed a Royal Commission
to report on issues relating to genetically modified organism
s (GMOs). The Report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification
, released in July 2001, concluded that New Zealand should keep its options open with regard to genetic engineering and to proceed carefully in order to minimise and manage any risks.
Prior to the 2002 general election
, the book Seeds of Distrust was published which highlighted possible contamination of imported corn seed with GMO seeds. During the election campaign the book caused an amount of friction between the Labour and Green Parties, referred to as "Corngate
" in the media.
alerted the Environmental Risk Management Authority
(ERMA) of breach of conditions stipulated for growing the trees.
Brassica
species have been approved by ERMA for a ten-year field trial in Canterbury
. The conditions that were set for the trial were breached and lobbyists called for an end to the trial due to concerns for safety to the public and for maintaining an export market that was free of GE contamination.
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest...
is a contentious issue in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The possibility that GE crops may be grown in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
led to a nationwide protest movement including marches in the main centres.
In 2000 the Government appointed a Royal Commission
Royal Commission
In Commonwealth realms and other monarchies a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia...
to report on issues relating to genetically modified organism
Genetically modified organism
A genetically modified organism or genetically engineered organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one...
s (GMOs). The Report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification
Report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification
Report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification was published in 2001 by the government appointed Royal Commission on Genetic Modification.Thomas Eichelbaum chaired the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification.-External links:...
, released in July 2001, concluded that New Zealand should keep its options open with regard to genetic engineering and to proceed carefully in order to minimise and manage any risks.
Prior to the 2002 general election
New Zealand general election, 2002
The 2002 New Zealand general election was held on 27 July 2002 to determine the composition of the 47th New Zealand Parliament. It saw the reelection of Helen Clark's Labour Party government, as well as the worst-ever performance by the opposition National Party.Arguably the most controversial...
, the book Seeds of Distrust was published which highlighted possible contamination of imported corn seed with GMO seeds. During the election campaign the book caused an amount of friction between the Labour and Green Parties, referred to as "Corngate
Corngate
"Corngate" was a political scandal which took place in New Zealand in 2002 and involved the suspected release of genetically modified corn seed in 2000. The possibility of the presence of a small percentage of GE corn in a seed shipment from the U.S. was raised publicly by Nicky Hager in his book...
" in the media.
Field trials
Field trials of genetically engineered Pinus radiata trees is being carried out by SCION, a Crown Research Institute. Environmental activists breached the security at the site and damaged 19 of the trees in 2008. No organisation claimed responsibility but a spade left on the site had a "GE-free New Zealand" sticker attached to it. The Soil & Health AssociationSoil & Health Association of New Zealand
Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, established in 1941, is an organisation that promotes organic food and farming in New Zealand.The organisation publishes the Organic NZ magazine....
alerted the Environmental Risk Management Authority
Environmental Risk Management Authority
The Environmental Risk Management Authority is a New Zealand government agency which controls the introduction of hazardous substances and new organisms....
(ERMA) of breach of conditions stipulated for growing the trees.
Brassica
Brassica
Brassica is a genus of plants in the mustard family . The members of the genus may be collectively known either as cabbages, or as mustards...
species have been approved by ERMA for a ten-year field trial in Canterbury
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
. The conditions that were set for the trial were breached and lobbyists called for an end to the trial due to concerns for safety to the public and for maintaining an export market that was free of GE contamination.
External links
- Environmental Risk Management Authority
- GE-Free New Zealand - lobby group