8 May 2001
Public demands for greater regulation of science justified as US reveals human genetic modification has begun.
The revelation that genetically modified humans can be created and hidden from scientific scrutiny for 4 years has
shocked people around the world and led to demands for greater scrutiny of genetic research. After shelving legislation
for years the New Zealand government is fast-tracking new laws at the same time the decision by the High Court to
overturn ERMA's decision has cast doubt over the fate of cows with human genes.
The crisis over the controls needed to protect the public interest has brought some scientists out of their labs
complaining about over-strict regulations. "They have a short memory,” said Susie Lees, a spokesperson from GE-Free
NZ_-" only last year hundreds of unauthorised experiments
were found to be going on in crown research establishments and universities, all avoided prosecution."
The recent resignation of Phil D'Huillier, a staunch advocate for the rapid introduction of genetic engineering, the
timing raising questions about the real reasons for his departure. It is believed that of the 60 cows impregnated, only
11 foetuses are still viable. The statements from agriculture minister Jim Sutton indicate these cows relate to farming
and genetically modified dairy products, which New Zealanders have rejected, more than medical research. " The public
need stronger protection from any experimentation in the open environment which science has shown carries huge risks.
The reputation of our agricultural production and exports is also at risk, and in turn threatens our economy. No-one in
the world wants to eat GM dairy foods,” says
Susie. New Zealand is striving for a knowledge economy and ethical use of advanced technology in containment must be
managed if it is not to destroy our clean and green image .The experiment with copies of human genes in cows is the most
extreme and damaging research
imaginable because of its impact on our position in the global market. It is unreasonable for scientists to complain
over the necessary controls on such work when much of it is publicly funded. Biotech companies are struggling to find
sufficient funds from the corporate world, and are focusing on government funding and overseas joint ventures with
countries like the UK (PPL Therapeutics have an approval for 10,000 sheep with human genes) who would not be able to
experiment with human genes in farm animals and resultant meat and dairy products for
fear of huge public outcry.
"The Royal Commission has investigated the serious ethical and scientific questions being raised and for which civil
society is demanding questions: How many human genes can be copied into farm animals before they become defined as
genetically modified humans? Will they be considered "substantially equivalent" as is GE food. Will they be entitled to
rights, under the Human Rights Act? If that is the case, humanely destroying them may present its own unique ethical and
legal problems".
ENDS