Plan to expand GE research

CheckBiotech

September 24, 2008

NEW ZEALAND - A campaign has been launched to try to dispel public worries about genetic engineering as AgResearch submits four major applications to expand its GE livestock programme.

It believes that its attempts to develop pharmaceuticals through genetic modification works for New Zealand, not against it.

"If you were able to produce a protein that's actually going to treat sick people, and this is the best way to do it, I think that's a huge benefit," says Jimmy Suttie from AgResearch.

The four applications seek to expand on this existing transgenic program.

AgResearch wants to increase the number of confinement facilities it has as well as use human genetic material. On top of that it wants to increase the number of species it tests on to 12, including water buffalo, horses and deer.

The cutting edge research is in stark contrast to an organic farm owned by Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimmons who says there are too many unknowns in GE research.

"When you make one genetic change, you disrupt other things aswell," she says.

Fitzsimmons says animal welfare is a huge issue, with high rates of deformities while cloning GE calves.

"Collapsed lungs, lack of a diaphragm, fused neck and shoulder, deformed feet," she says.

AgReserch is open about the risks, and acknowledges cloning is inefficient.

But scientists argue, more than $15 million of mostly taxpayers money has already been spent, and if these applications are denied, the animals will have to be slaughtered and the investment lost.

Source: ONE News

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