NZ’s gene technology reform carries benefits and risks – a truly independent regulator will be vital

On the Conversation, Dr Sylvia Nissen shares that with the National-led coalition government signalling its intent to reform genetic modification laws, decision-making must be independent.

Genetic modification is back on the political agenda in New Zealand. The issue may not be as hotly contentious as it once was, but big questions remain about the way forward.

Last year, the National-led coalition government signalled its intent to reform genetic modification laws to provide more “enabling” and “modern” regulation. The subsequent gene technology bill was introduced in December and is currently before select committee.

The bill comes on the back of growing calls for New Zealand’s regulatory frameworks to become less restrictive.

One of the arguments often made is that the current system, in place since the 1990s, is holding back gene technology research by restricting it largely to laboratory-based experiments. By this account, New Zealand is falling behind in knowledge and expertise, while missing out on the benefits of these technologies.

Those benefits are said to span a wide range of areas, including agriculture, health, conservation and climate change.

There are some applications of genetic modification that have potential long-term public benefit and few or no alternatives. These includes the control of invasive wasps or the production of insulin. But plenty of challenges remain for many emerging forms of gene technology, not least the technical complexities.

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Image credit: Zohar Marshall