Network welcomes ERMA decision to permit field trials on cattle

“The decision announced by ERMA today to approve field trials of genetically modified cattle is a sensible decision for scientific progress,” the Chairman of the New Zealand Life Sciences Network (Inc), Dr William Rolleston, said today.

“Very strict conditions have been imposed on the trial to provide public assurance of the requirement for such research to be conducted responsibly. It is important to remember the trials are designed to gain knowledge about this protein, which couldn’t be obtained in a laboratory.

“There are risks associated with everything we do, including scientific research, but we should not withhold from multiple sclerosis sufferers the potentially very significant health benefits to be derived from this research. ERMA has assessed the risks associated with this trial as being negligible.”

“We hope we will see greater acceptance of gene technology in New Zealand as benefits from genetic research become more apparent to the public,” concluded Dr Rolleston.

For further information, contact:
Dr William Rolleston Francis Wevers
Chairman Executive Director
Phone 03 612 6688 Phone 04 916 0100
Mobile 025 2460634 Mobile 021 916010

Date: Tuesday, 25 July 2000

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