NZ releases genetic modification report

The New Zealand Royal Commission on Genetic Modification recommended in a report released Monday that New Zealand allow field trials of genetically engineered products and that it continue to foster biomedical research involving genetic modification. The major conclusion of report, which was released after 14 months of deliberation, "is that New Zealand should keep its options open. It would be unwise to turn our back on the potential advantages on offer, but we should proceed carefully, minimizing and managing risks. At the same time, continuation of the development of conventional farming, organics and integrated pest management should be facilitated."

The report recommends the establishment of a Parliamentary Commissioner on Biotechnology as well as a Bioethics Council. It also recommends that the government establish a new regulatory category for genetically modified plants called conditional release, which would make the use of a genetically modified organism subject to specific restrictions, such as environmental and safety reporting. Other recommendations include: amending current law to allow for the efficient importation of low-risk genetically modified organisms; development of a labeling regime to identify genetically modified seed, nursery stock and propagative material at the point of sale; and facilitation of a voluntary label indicating a food has not been genetically modified, contains no genetically modified ingredients and has not been manufactured using a process involving genetic modification. ...