19 April 2000

UNITED NEW ZEALAND WELCOMES COMMISSION ON GENETIC MODIFICATION

United New Zealand leader Hon Peter Dunne, today welcomed the announcement of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Genetic Modification.

“I believe the Government, in establishing this inquiry, is addressing the issue with the right level of sensitivity and importance.

“There is no doubt that genuine public concern exists about genetic modification. Much of this concern is due to a lack of knowledge or understanding about this technology. The Royal Commission is the appropriate means to deal with this issue.

“United does not share the increasingly extremist views of ACT who say the commission is a waste of time or National who are ambivalent about it.

“The issue of genetic modification is not just a scientific and biological one – it is probably the greatest ethical issue facing us as a society. For this reason, United is backing the Commission and its highly qualified membership. They deserve the support of all sensible thinking New Zealanders.

“We also welcome the Government’s moderate, balanced approach in opting for a voluntary moratorium, rather than the compulsory version proposed by the Greens,” concludes Mr Dunne.

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