GE cow project wins Maori favour

By ANNE BESTON environment reporter

A state-owned research body is applying again to carry out wide-ranging experiments using human genes in cows -but this time it has local Maori onside.

Hamilton's AgResearch withdrew an earlier bid because of technicalities, said general manager of science Dr Paul Atkinson.

They related to how much of the process of making a "transgenic" cow needed approval from the Government's genetic modification watchdog, the Environmental Risk Management Authority.

The new application was essentially the same as the old one, Dr Atkinson said.

It involved asking Erma's approval to transfer genetically modified embryos into cattle to see if the resulting calves would express therapeutic proteins in their milk.

The final aim of this type of research is to use animals to produce pharmaceuticals that could be used to treat human diseases.

The research involves using genes from mammals, including humans, sheep, goats and mice in cattle embryos.

AgResearch has been working with transgenic cows for more than two years but Maori objected on cultural and ethical grounds.

Ngati Wairere took a case against the institute to the High Court last year, saying the work contravened Maori spiritual and cultural beliefs, but the Court ruled in AgResearch's favour.

But this time Ngati Wairere's environmental agency, Te Kotuku Whenua, will not oppose the bid.

Director Maree Pene said Te Kotuku Whenua had been impressed by AgResearch's willingness to address Maori concerns.

"They've come to the party and we've had a very good dialogue with them," Ms Pene said.

In January Ms Pene was still saying the tribe opposed the application because it involved "mixing of whakapapa [bloodlines]".

Opponents of genetic modification opposed the previous AgResearch bid, accusing the institute of submitting a blanket application without a clear idea of what proteins it was trying to produce.

GM opponents worldwide are questioning the credibility of this kind of research. They say in many cases the proteins can be produced synthetically for far less expense.

Jon Carapiet of GE-Free New Zealand said it would follow AgResearch's application closely.

"The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification said, 'Don't do these experiments on farm animals because there are alternatives', but AgResearch has chosen to ignore that."

Dr Atkinson said AgResearch did have specific goals in mind otherwise "why would we go to all this trouble?" He was "reasonably confident" Erma would approve the application but said a point of law was being tested.

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