Scientists relieved at GM move

By KEVIN TAYLOR

The umbrella group for New Zealand biotech interests has welcomed Government moves to streamline regulations covering low-risk genetic modification work.

Life Sciences Network chairman Dr William Rolleston said yesterday that the changes announced by the Environment Minister this week would save scientists time and money.

The changes simplify the approval process for low-risk GM work under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, and reduce the time it takes for decisions to be made on applications.

The minister, Marian Hobbs, said the changes were in line with recommendations of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification.

"Scientists and students will be able to spend more time on their research and less time filling in forms," she said.

The initiative would not alter the scope of work permitted or change the level of risk allowed.

Dr Rolleston said pro and anti-GM lobbies had made submissions to the royal commission last year seeking a simpler approval process for low-risk GM research.

The network, an umbrella group representing science and industry groups involved in biotechnology work, has lobbied hard for GM.

He said the regulations would let scientists get on with science, allowing bureaucrats to concentrate on the more contentious issue of field trials.

For 20 years researchers had been carrying out low-risk GM work in the laboratory, such as placing genes in bacteria.

It was only with the advent of the act in the past few years that approvals had been required.

Dr Rolleston said the new regulations also covered low-level GM work at universities.

They encountered controversy in 2000 because they lacked the necessary approvals.

But he said the changes would not mean a rush of investment into New Zealand.

"We have to do a lot more than that to make the regulatory system more practical."

In October the Government gave cautious approval to GM by lifting a moratorium on field trials, but banned commercial release of GM organisms for at least two years.

Pro-GM lobbies were happy, but the crown research institute AgResearch was disappointed at the failure to loosen the stringent regulations surrounding proposed GM projects.

Chief executive Dr Keith Steele said yesterday that moves to simplify the system were welcome.

But he said standards should not be lowered as a result.

"Our concern has always been with the cost and time taken to actually deal with applications."

The Environmental Risk Management Agency is seeking submissions by February 1 on a draft of the new regulations.

Environmental Risk Management Authority

nzherald.co.nz/ge

Report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification

GE lessons from Britain

GE links

GE glossary