NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THAT GENETIC ENGINEERING DOESN'T WORK
MEDIA RELEASE FROM CHARLES DRACE, CFP

Craig Ventner (of CELERA GENOMICS), in charge of one of the two companies mapping the human genome , says that humans have only 30,000 genes, not the 142,000 expected. That means that there are not enough DNA sequences to account for changes or origination of cells on their own.... scientists must now accept that there are other cellular structures or messengers (complex interactions between cells, combinations of proteins, perhaps), as yet unknown, that affect cell selection and production.

This calls the whole principle on which current genetic engineering is based, into question, and helps explain why more than 99% of GE experiments don't work out as scientists expect. This information was not known during presentations to the Royal Commission.

Large numbers of genetic scientists and doctors have been warning us about the lack of knowledge about GE; now we understand why it doesn't work. We also can see that it will be many years before it is understood enough to be put into safe practice.

Another recent fact that emerges is the indeterminacy of the nature and structure of genes, which leads to major perplexities about the function of genes in heredity and development.

Genetic engineering science is based on the assumption that a gene put in a different organism had a particular identity, a unique function, and that it would maintain that identity in whatever organism it was transferred to. That most basic assumption is now found to be false.

According to Professor Stephen J. Gould, "Organisms must (now) be explained as organisms and not as a summation of genes. The commercial effects would be obvious, as so much biotechnology, including the rush to patent genes, has assumed the old view that 'fixing' an aberrant gene would cure a specific human ailment."

It would be unethical and immoral of the New Zealand government to allow any genetic engineering testing or field trials before the science is understood.

For more information contact:

Charles Drace, CFP PO Box 3833, Christchurch Tel: 03-364-9140 (bus) Tel: 03-365-6607 (eves) Fax: 03-364-9132 email: charles@cdrace.co.nz

Charles has previously presented research data showing that allowing GE trials would be economic suicide for New Zealand.

References:

1. Stephen J. Gould, "Humbled by the Genome's Mysteries". New York Times, 19 Feb 2001

2. Dr. Craig Ventner, Interview on Radio New Zealand, 22 Feb 2001.

3. Bork, Peer and Copley, Richard, "When is a Predicted Gene a Gene?", In Nature, 15 Feb 2001, pg. 818-820 -- Have you read our most recent report? http://www.satori.cc/free-crashreport.html

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