Human genes in cows approved for trial

By ANNE BESTON environment reporter

The Government's environmental watchdog has given the go-ahead for human genes to be inserted into a herd of Waikato dairy cows.

But the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) is delaying the release of the approval even though almost a year has passed since the public hearings.

It is understood authority members are nervous of public reaction and cannot agree on how the decision should be worded.

The experiment will be carried out on cows at the Hamilton site of the crown research institute AgResearch. Scientists will insert a synthetic copy of a human gene, myelin basic protein (MBP), into dairy cows to test whether it reproduces in their milk.

MBP is believed to have beneficial effects on multiple sclerosis.

If the cows reproduce it in sufficient quantities, further tests will be done to see if a medicine can be developed for humans.

The scientist in charge of the experiment, Dr Phil L'Huillier, said he had not been officially notified of the go-ahead.

"Obviously I am pleased and relieved that progress has been made."

The Government's moratorium on gene trials applies only to those put before Erma after June 14 this year.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the timing of the cattle decision could not have been worse. "This is the most inappropriate decision to make while the royal commission [on genetic engineering] is still setting up."

A critical issue for Erma has been strong objection by Waikato Maori. Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, the authority must address Maori concerns when approving genetic experiments.

News of the go-ahead follows an ethical row in Britain where it was revealed that DNA from an unnamed Danish woman had been inserted into a flock of genetically engineered sheep in south Waikato.

The trial on 50 sheep at Mangakino was approved last year.

PPL Therapeutics, the Scottish-based company which cloned Dolly the sheep, hopes to reproduce a gene to treat cystic fibrosis.

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