Greenpeace calls for ERMA to reject application to put human genes into animals

Greenpeace today called on a panel hearing an application by AgResearch to put human and other genes into a broad range of animals to reject the application and terminate the hearing immediately.

AgResearch has applied to Environmental Risk Management Association (ERMA) to develop animals including goats, sheep and cows genetically engineered to produce differing proteins.

"This is an outrageous attempt to foist GE on New Zealanders by circumventing both the Royal Commission's recommendations and the purpose of ERMA's role in GE regulation," said lawyer for Greenpeace New Zealand Duncan Currie.

“In effect, AgResearch has applied for thousands, or even millions, of genetically modified organisms (GMO) to be inserted into a wide range of animals. No safety assessment can be carried out, and this application should be rejected immediately.

“Greenpeace believes GE organisms should not be released into the environment since there is not an adequate scientific understanding of their impact on the environment and human health."

Currie said Royal Commission recommendations to use synthetic rather than human genes, and not use animals that could find their way into the food chain, should have been followed.

An earlier application by AgResearch to conduct similar GM research on a wide range of animals was thrown out by the High Court which said the information from AgResearch was too general for the public and ERMA to assist. That decision is under appeal to the Court of Appeal.