Following yesterday's announcement that genetically modified babies had been born in the United States, a lodge in the Bay of Islands has taken the unusual step of banning genetically-engineered guests.
Orongo Bay Lodge said they had chosen to exclude GE humans because an increasing number of foreign guests were concerned about genetic engineering.
The lodge, which grows its own vegetables and keeps hens and goats, has recently been granted organic status and lodge chef Michael Hooper said they were "drawing the line" at modified humans.
"When we were given the final examination for our organic certification we were even questioned about the content of the waste from our free-range hens and goats. That concern, surely, will apply also to body products from humans on the estate," he said.
Mr Hooper said the lodge had banned GE humans so they would not have to deal with their waste products.
"After all, we totally reject the use of GE vegetables, preservatives and agricultural chemicals. I see it as the same issue."
While it is illegal under New Zealand's human rights legislation to discriminate on the grounds of an organism carried in the body, Hooper said that genetically-engineered guests were entirely new organisms and could be denied entry to the lodge.
But they may not have to worry about actually turning away GE humans for a while yet.
The eldest of the 15 babies born at the Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science of St. Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey turns 4-years-old in a month.
Northland lodge bans GE humans
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