9/5/2002

Groundswell spokesperson Tremane Barr has praised the groundbreaking initiative of the Lincoln University Student Association (LUSA) in conducting a referendum of its students in order to find out what stance LUSA should take on genetic engineering.

The results showed that 52% were in favour of NZ adopting a GE-Free stance with only 37% opposed to it. A large majority of students at around 63% voted for the proposition that GE research should only be allowed to be conducted in laboratories with only 18% opposed. On the issue of whether NZ should grow commercial GE crops 54% were opposed to this with only 22% in favour.

“The referendum results overall show that there is a clear consensus by the majority of the students that voted that they are in support of the basic concept of a GE Free New Zealand where GE is kept in contained laboratories. This referendum result is a great morale booster for the GE Free movement in the run up to the coming general election as it has endorsed the basic policy position we have taken all along” said Tremane Barr.

“The result of the question as it related to allowing field trials with a minority at 45% being in favour and 40% opposed with 15% undecided leaves us with the impression that there is still some confusion about the issues. However, with only a minority voting for it and a clear majority on the other three questions being in favour of a GE Free NZ it just means we need to communicate our message for a GE Free NZ more clearly. It is still heartening that a majority of students in the other three questions endorsed the basic message of the GE Free movement in calling for a GE Free NZ.”

A week prior to the referendum Tony Connor of Crop & Food and Tremane Barr for Groundswell gave a talk on the issues for and against genetic engineering in front of a lunch time audience of students outside the University cafeteria.

“In addressing one of our key concerns against GE to the students I focused on the fact that the latest research from independent scientists shows that genetic engineering as a process is fundamentally dangerous due to the fact that it creates genetically unstable GMOs which can result in unpredictable effects for both the environment and human health. I am glad the students made a decision based on the findings of independent science versus corporate profit driven science and that they choose overall the need for precaution in endorsing a GE Free NZ” said Tremane Barr.

In the referendum 199 students voted and they make up around 6.3% of Lincoln students. The referendum was held over the 6th and 7th of May with secure ballot boxes and was widely publicised around the Lincoln University campus by LUSA.

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