GE Crops Moratorium

Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Genetics would like to reassure the public on the effect of the proposed extension of the GE crops moratorium, in the face of an emotive media campaign by the Life Sciences Network.

Figures released by the Sustainability Council of NZ at the weekend demonstrate that only 3 percent of current research funding is involved in activities which would be delayed by the Moratorium extension.

A more appropriate use of that 3 percent public funding and the science jobs that go with it would be in biotechnology research such as organic food production or GE in laboratory containment.

Organic biotechnology research is an investment in an area with real, rapidly expanding markets and proven economic and environmental worth, for example organic apple growing and pheromone trapping of the tussock moth.

In contrast, the benefits of GE release research are at this point speculative and in addition this research threatens New Zealand’s invaluable bio-security, its clean green image and, therefore, the economy of all New Zealanders.

PSRG has no affiliations with industry or any political party.

ENDS

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