Media Release
October 15th, 2000
GE Royal Commission online form offered
Context.co.nz have just posted an online form for public submissions to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification .
"I think New Zealanders should be given every opportunity to participate to the full in our democracy." said Phil
Doherty, editor of context.co.nz the participatory democracy advocate website. "My enquiries to the commission, asking
for them to post an online form have drawn a blank. The form that they do provide, requires a double doctorate in rocket
science and constitutional law to fill out." said Doherty.
Last month context.co.nz provided a direct email form to ERMA on an submission round for the field trialing of GE trees.
Our form accounted for over 92% of the 735 submissions received.
"I say democracy should be much easier, and the issues raised by biotechnology are too important to be left to the likes
of Genesis and Monsanto with their legions of lawyers, to decide ." " I want as many people as possible to have their
say."
Phil Doherty
Editor. www.context.co.nz