Gene Inquiry: science moving faster than ethics

The first week of evidence hears that controversial experiments are already being done behind locked doors even as politicians ponder the ethics. ANNE BESTON reports.

As the investigation began this week into where New Zealand should stand in the brave new world of gene technology, it became obvious that science had raced far ahead of the debate.

When some of New Zealand's top scientists appeared before the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification in Wellington, they argued that New Zealand must embrace the new science.

They told the commission the technology could be used for everything from helping to feed the Third World to identifying a new species of New Zealand native fish.

The Government has charged the commission with investigating the ethics, benefits and risks of genetic modification. The term covers everything from experiments on crop genes to growing pesticide-resistant plants to finding a cure for multiple sclerosis by inserting human genes into cows.

Appearing before the commission, Dr Patricia Harris, group manager for science and technology at the crown research institute Agresearch in Hamilton, called it a "genomics revolution."

"The process of gene discovery is progressing at a rate that was inconceivable a few years ago," she said.

That was backed up by evidence from New Zealand's biggest science research funder, the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

The foundation told the commission that internationally, more than 2500 companies were spending about $NZ8 billion a year on developing 2200 products with some form of genetic modification.

In the United States, more than 80 genetically modified drugs are about to come onto the market.

And in New Zealand, things are moving just as rapidly. About $35 million, or 35 per cent, of the foundation's yearly investment is financing gene experiments - from developing sheep with higher lambing rates to making a vaccine that causes infertility in possums.

But the scientists did not always have an easy time of it during the hearings.

When Dr Phil L'Huillier, also of Agresearch, gave evidence, Green Party MP Sue Kedgley was ready for him.

Dr L'Huillier was granted permission by the Environmental Risk Management Authority, the body which approves genetic experiments, to insert human genes into cows in a search for a cure for multiple sclerosis. The experiment was approved in July, but local Maori have since appealed to the High Court against the decision.

During cross-examination, Ms Kedgley asked Dr L'Huillier if the experiment had already started.

He admitted it was and that it was likely 60 calves with human genes would be born while the legal issues were still being resolved.

The risks of genetically modified animals escaping from laboratories came under close scrutiny.

Dr L'Huillier outlined security measures taken for genetically modified mice used in experiments at Agresearch - they are kept behind four doors, three of which are locked. If any escape, toxic baits lie in wait.

The commission's four-member panel also saw the warm, fuzzy face of genetics.

Dr Dianne Gleeson, a geneticist at Crown Research Institute Landcare Research in Auckland, discovered a new species of New Zealand's native black mudfish using gene technology.

The fish could have become extinct before it was identified but now efforts would be made to protect it, she said.

The hearings continue next week. The commission is not required to report its findings to the Government until June next year.


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