High Court Listens to GE Animal Concerns

The High Court has reserved its decision concerning the expansion of GE
animals into New Zealand under the Hazardous Substances and New
Organisms Act (HSNO).

AgResearch has been given an all-encompassing approval to undertake
genetic engineering in cows, sheep and goats.

GE Free NZ challenged the ERMA decision that allowed economically-signicant
animals to be genetically manipulated at random without risk-assessment
of any individual animal or the potential to create a new or more
virulent viral or bacterial organism that could escape into the larger
environment.

The case goes to the heart of New Zealand's legislation intended to
protect New Zealand from the extremes of genetic engineering. The Royal
Commission on GM recommended New Zealand be cautious and socially
responsible in regulating genetic engineering.

In light of the advances in medicinal drugs that can be produced in safer
ways, AgResearch's experiments could be an unacceptable risk to New Zealand's
reputation.

Without a systematic assessment of the value of Clean Green 100% Pure
branding and sustainable and ethical production, authorities cannot
assess the damage from GE animals.

"When there are less expensive alternative production methods for
medicines that are kinder to the animals, we should not allow animals to
suffer severe adverse effects from the modifications," says Jon Carapiet
from GE Free NZ in food and environment.

The High Court listened to questions raised by ERMA's approval about
where the line can be drawn, not scientifically or ethically, but legally.

GE Free NZ contend information about what is being done to animals and why,
are basic requirements for the level of environmental and ethical risk
assessment that New Zealand law requires.
The decision has been reserved until the New Year.