Gene editing upsets the applecart

4th October 2018

Gene editing upsets the applecart

“New Zealand will slip behind its competitors and forfeit opportunities to address climate change, water quality, pests and other environmental concerns if we reject the use of gene editing in our primary industries” the chairman of the Life Sciences Network, Dr William Rolleston, said today.

A report1 released by the Royal Society explores the potential uses of gene editing in the primary sector such as removing allergens from milk, making mānuka disease-resistant, preventing wilding pines and accelerating apple breeding.

Gene editing enables more precise and targeted breeding than is available through traditional breeding methods but because it is considered genetic modification in New Zealand its use will be significantly limited.

The use of genetic modification has been difficult in New Zealand due to the current regulation and strong pressure from activist groups however the advent of gene editing has changed the stakes in the debate on genetic modification.

“Only time will tell if gene editing will upset the anti-GM applecart but we are seeing encouraging signs that science, not fear, is coming to the fore in the debate on genetic modification as it already has in the debates on immunisation and fluoride.

“Genetic modification is no longer a hypothetical argument for New Zealand. The examples presented in the Royal Society paper show there are tangible benefits to using gene editing technology which will be obvious to farmers and the public and I hope they get involved in the discussion.” concluded Dr Rolleston

1 https://royalsociety.org.nz/what-we-do/our-expert-advice/all-expert-advice-papers/gene-editing-for-the-primary-industries/

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