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The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification - submissionsNorthland Conservation BoardRISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GENTIC ENGINEERING – SECTION B(c)Submission The submission from the Northland Conservation Board stated that the environmental and social costs of, and the risks associated with genetic engineering (GE) had been glossed over, ignored or not comprehended. They then called for a ban of all trials and releases of GE crops justified by the application of the precautionary principle. In an appendix attached to the submission Sean Weaver made the following observations in respect to the modification of tree species. Lignin production The reduction of lignin production in trees may make them more susceptible to pests increasing, therefore, the need for pesticides. It would also accelerate wood decay resulting in the change of soil structure and the long term fertility of the soil with concurrent need for increased fertiliser use. Decreased lignin in wild populations would accelerate the life cycle of the plant and alter ecosystem functionality. Increased growth rate Trees modified to have a faster growth rate would result in increased carbon fixation and removal. This results in a reduction of carbon recycling and a decrease in long term site fertility. Increased growth rates would also increase the wilding pine problem. Herbicide resistance It was stated that the transgene that confers herbicide resistance on trees was easily dispersed into wild populations. It was also submitted to be a temporary benefit due to selection pressure producing resistant varieties of weeds. Insect resistance It was stated that entire forests would be turned into insect killers and that this would have an impact on entire food chain. The example of Monarch butterflies was used to show the impact on non-target insects. Sean Weaver further submitted that an increase in resistance in target species could also result. Uniformity Uniform plantation species would further reduce variation in an already restricted ecosystem. Trees produced for ease of processing would also adversely impact on local communities through the loss of employment in siviculture management. General problems and risks Sean Weaver submitted that the arguments that justify genetic engineering are used to transform agriculture into a chemically dependant industry controlled by large corporate interests. Moves to a GM tree forest industry would serve to undermine efforts in eco-forestry. It was stated that the use of sterile trees would lock the industry into a cycle of clear-cutting and replanting resulting in even more pressure to clear natural forests. Side effects This submission observed that there could be unanticipated side effects in the host plant which are not always detectable. Transgenes may also alter the behaviour of ‘silent genes’. The example used was the stress induced expression of genes, which may not be easy to assess. It was further stated that recent research has suggested that novel genes are inherently less stable than the natural genes. Possible problems The use of the Monarch butterfly experiment to show the adverse effects on non-target species is flawed. Difficulties with this experiment, and the existence of evidence which refutes the claims of this study can be seen in the HortResearch submission. This submission also carefully outlined possible measures to reduce the occurrence of resistance in target species. This may be better viewed as a risk management problem rather than a problem with the science behind GM technology. Claims in respect to decreased lignin production accelerating the life cycle of plants and the inherent instability of novel genes were not backed by reference to any evidence. The claim that the effects of transformation on stress induced expression of ‘natural’ genes could not be tested is also problematic. In my opinion, there is no reason why the stressful conditions a tree may face cannot be replicated under experimental conditions. The possible existence of large insect killing forests may be exaggerated. The Northland Conservation Board also included a statement from Professor Emeritus Joe Cummins of the University of Western Ontario. This statement included the following points. Substantial Equivalence It was submitted that the toxic effects observed when rats were fed potatoes expressing a plant protein lectin was proof that the doctrine of substantial equivalence was flawed. Professor Cummins then stated that human consumers were being used as test subjects in terribly designed experiments. Spread of viruses Concerns over the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter were expressed. It was stated that experiments have shown that recombination with other plant viruses can occur. Furthermore, the observed release of pig ERV virus on contact with human cells was submitted to highlight the dangers of GM technology. In reference to xeno-transplant experimentation Professor Cummins also noted that the companies that promote GM technology could always find willing hosts for dangerous experiments. Terminator technology This was stated to eliminate viable seed production and place the control of agriculture in the hands of large corporate companies. This statement observed that this technology involved the introduction of small bacterial virus genes called lox that are targets for genetic exchange. Spread of such genes among various chromosomes was submitted to cause a rapid decline in crop or animal vigor and fertility. Synthetic genes Professor Cummins submitted that industry advocates claim such genes are identical to normal genes from organisms. It was then noted that this belief ignores the subtle chemical modifications that are added to DNA for self-recognition and control of the genes. Synthetic genes may create totally new changes in the behavior of genes. In nature gene modifications are involved in developmental genetics and even in the origin of some kinds of cancer. Food allergies and auto-immune disease and antibiotic resistance It was submitted that transgenes and novel proteins predictably cause food allergies and auto-immune diseases such as lupus, arthritis and diabetes. The use of antibiotic markers was stated to increase antibiotic resistance in pathogens. Possible problems The use of the ‘Pusztai potato’ experiment as evidence is problematic. The conclusions drawn from this experiment have been refuted – see UniServices submission section B(h). The concerns over the use of CaMV 35S promoter have also been addressed by the HortResearch submission. Problems in respect to the release or the pig ERV are more related to the general issue of xeno-transplantation, it is not an inherent risk in the application of GM technology. Concerns over the use of synthetic genes may also be misguided and should be addressed. So to should the unsubstantiated claim that novel genes and proteins cause auto-immune diseases in humans. Comments in respect to the corporate control of technology, and the unethical actions of corporations may be evidence of a confusion between the unwanted application of the technology and the science behind this technology. The observations in respect to antibiotic resistance have also be refuted in earlier submissions. CULTURAL & ETHICAL ISSUES – SECTION B(g)Submission Hally Toa submitted that it was abhorrent to Maori that the whakapapa of a frog or a pig should be introduced into their whakapapa. It was observed that according to Maori spiritual beliefs everything that springs from the earth and is born upon it has its own mauri (life force) blessed by IO as it is. Where species barriers are crossed Maori experience wehi (fear) as the tapu of the mauri of both species is being interfered with, and that the work of IO is being transgressed. Hally Toa submitted that man creates new forms of life at his own peril as IO withheld that knowledge knowing that man could not be trusted. The following were then called for:
Possible problems This last statement may be evidence of a confusion between biotechnology as a whole and GM technology as a subset of biotechnology. The differences between these two terms need to be further highlighted. |