New Zealand poised to soften restrictions on genetically modified crops by the end of the year, green light gene editing

For nearly three decades, New Zealand’s strict regulations around genetic modification have more or less confined research opportunities to the lab. [On August 13, 2024], the government confirmed legislative reform was on its way.

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Politically, GM has been a highly contentious issue in New Zealand, culminating in a scandal that came to be known as “Corngate”…. This was a time of major debate about the safety of GM crops, which much of the environmentally minded left saw as a dangerous, unproven practice that risked our clean, green reputation. While science has essentially settled in favour of GM, it has remained a somewhat politically untouchable subject in Aotearoa.

There will be tiers of risk: gene modifications indistinguishable from changes that could be achieved through selective breeding or natural mutation [gene editing] will be considered low-risk and fall under no regulation.

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[L]oosening the regulations will allow researchers and companies to develop and sell products (like a certain kind of crop) or healthcare treatments (like CAR T-cell therapy). The use of gene technology could help the agriculture sector mitigate emissions and increase productivity.

[T]he legislation will be introduced to parliament by the end of the year.

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