Genetic modification in New Zealand is governed by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996, with various amendments in the 20 years since.
Essentially, the regulations in place mean that GMOs cannot be released out of containment in New Zealand without going through a very rigorous and complex approval process, and that is very high bar to meet. Gene editing is considered in the same class as genetic modification in New Zealand, even when it doesn’t involve foreign DNA being introduced.
Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.
Re-establishing the ability for New Zealand scientists to work on New Zealand problems for the crops we grow will result in benefits such as:
- Environmental sustainability from the reduction in pesticide use to control pests and diseases
- Fresh fruit and vegetables with fewer blemishes from pest and disease damage, meaning less waste
- Food and fibre with improved nutrition and storage life
- Better and more consistent yields for farmers and horticulturalists
- Plants that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Plants better adapted to the forthcoming constraints of climate change (e.g. winter chilling for fruit production)
- Novel methods to control the increasing numbers of invasive weed and pest species.
