Greens implored to reconsider GE
More than 150 young scientists have appealed to the Green Party to back an overhaul of geneediting laws, which they argue would help fight climate change.
But the party has signalled no intention of changing its stance over the contentious issue.
In New Zealand, strict regulations under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms ( HSNO) Act have tightly controlled use of gene engineering and genetically modified organisms since 2003.
Over recent months, calls for the act to be reviewed have come from a panel convened by New Zealand’s top scientific body, the Prime Minister’s chief science adviser, and National, which has pledged “significant changes”.
The Government has no plans for a review.
There has even been less appetite for any change from confidence-and-supply partner the Green Party — which the group Emerging Scientists for Climate Action addressed in an open letter published yesterday.
In it, the scientists pleaded with the party to reconsider its position, arguing that GMbased research could be “decisive” in efforts to reduce emissions, while also partly easing climate-driven impacts.
“The period since the introduction of the 2003 legislation has seen important GM-related research in the areas of agricultural efficiency, carbon sequestration, and alternative protein production,” stated the letter, signed by 155 young scientists from universities and institutions.
“The existing regulation in New Zealand inhibits application of advances such as these, blocking not only the development of green technology, but the potential for a just transition away from extractive and polluting industries.”
Greens spokesman Gareth Hughes said the party was comfortable with keeping GE in the lab, but added it was open to a “facts-based public conversation” to ensure the environment was protected.
Hughes also argued there were risks to New Zealand’s organics sector and national agricultural reputation.