Scientists endorse gene technology

Sir John Scott, President of the Royal Society of New Zealand which represents the majority of New Zealand scientists, today said that the overwhelming weight of scientific opinion, both in New Zealand and overseas, is that genetically engineered medicines and foods are safe for human consumption.

"We believe that the debate surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMO*s) in New Zealand is beginning to stray from the informative. The risks are being overplayed. To date the debate has focused mainly upon the perceived risks of this technology, but we must not lose sight of its huge potential benefits in areas of food supply, food quality, nutrition and health", said Sir John.

"While we have total confidence in the integrity of scientists, regulations and the safety systems which have been set up, the Royal Society recognises the concerns of the public and strongly supports mechanisms by which consumers are kept informed about developments in biotechnology", he says.

Any unilateral action by New Zealand would be folly as genetic engineering is now worldwide. Banning or stalling the cultivation of crops that have been approved abroad would probably put New Zealand in breach of World Trade Organisation rules, the scientists say.

Although most scientists support the informative labelling of GMO products in principle, they warn that it is likely to be impossible to enforce such laws once many food products enter food processing systems. The New Zealand regulations which prohibit GMO foods until they have been examined on a case by case basis, is rational say the scientists because it emphasises the product rather than the process by which it was produced. Labelling will be enforced for foods which are substantially different from those already in the market.

New Zealanders have been safely using genetically modified drugs such as human insulin for several years now and Americans have been eating GMO soybeans, vegetable oils and other products for three years without incident.

Sir John Scott also warned scientists, journalists and the public about the dangers engendered by the premature release and misinterpretation of unsubstantiated research into GMOs. Because of the intense public interest in the topic there are dangers that one- off preliminary studies can be interpreted as factual, thereby misleading the public in what is a complex and important subject. The safety checks and systems, already firmly in place, are similar in style to those which control development and release of pharmaceutical or engineering products. The systems themselves are under continued review and undergoing progressive development. Safety in any scientific or technological advance depends upon validation, through progressive application of repeated, precisely replicated, experiments monitored by careful observation and analysed independently.

"Rational debate based upon rigorously reviewed data is essential if we are to realise the full potential of this technology", continued Sir John.

22 September 1998