NZBIO Welcomes GM Of Livestock

NZBIO Welcomes GM Of Livestock

NZBIO has welcomed the Environmental Management Risk Authority’s decision to approve genetic modification of livestock, mice, bacterial and mammalian cells.

“This decision allows one of New Zealand’s most innovative research institutions to continue their world class research to develop proteins for human therapeutics in milk,” NZBIO Chief Executive Bronwyn Dilley says.

“It is also an important step towards producing more effective healthcare options in a cost effective manner, with the potential for not only New Zealanders, but the entire global community, to access better healthcare, cheaper.”

The ERMA approval is for research purposes only and subject to strict controls. The research will be conducted in AgResearch’s containment facility in Ruakura.

“There are major economic benefits to New Zealand in allowing this research to proceed. If successful, this research will lead to better and cheaper healthcare, jobs and gross added value to the New Zealand bioeconomy and the ability to close the widening gap with other OECD countries.

“New Zealand’s regulatory environment provides certainty in the safety and quality of our products. Future consumers of these therapeutic products can be assured that the research will have been done within one of the world’s most respected and robust regulatory regimes.

“Research, science and technology, including genetic modification, have an important role to play if New Zealand and the rest of the world are to cope with future challenges such as the increasing cost of healthcare.

“NZBIO endorses the view of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification that New Zealand must proceed with caution in this type of research. We are very pleased with ERMA’s decision and that this research will be conducted under the close watch of New Zealand’s extremely robust regulatory system.”

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