AgResearch tests waters on gene study

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The public will get a say on AgResearch's plans to expand its Hamilton-based genetically engineered cow research across the country, in a move it describes as "testing the waters" on GE.

The research institute has had a herd of transgenic cows at its Ruakura campus for about eight years. The cows contain a human gene that allows them to produce milk with a human protein that could be extracted for use in pharmaceuticals.

Stakeholders, including iwi and industry groups, were today told AgResearch will apply to the Environmental Risk Management Agency in April for permission to continue and expand its transgenic livestock programme to include goats.

General manager of applied biotechnologies Dr Jimmie Suttie said scientists wanted permission to use genetic material from other species, including synthetic human genes, in cattle, sheep and goats at other sites across the country. The research would mainly be aimed at finding helpful characteristics such as medically important proteins in milk, but would also include disease resistance and altered meat or wool.

Dr Suttie said no decisions had been made on where research would be done and no products from the research would enter the food chain.

He described the application as "no great leap" from what AgResearch was already doing, but said the organisation would "test the waters" on genetic engineering with the application.

In 2001, a Royal Commission ruled GM technology could proceed with caution, but there have yet to be any applications for commercial release of GE organisms.

The 45ha Ruakura facility has approval for 200 cattle, but houses around 90 transgenic cows. They are double tagged and are kept behind a double layer of alarmed fencing. Their milk is disposed of on-site and Maf conducts regular inspections.

"I would envisage that any separate facility established elsewhere in New Zealand would have the same level of controls," Dr Suttie said.

AgResearch has renewed consent for its transgenic research a number of times since it was granted, but this has not required public hearings. Its current consent expires in November 2008.

AgResearch's application will be open to public submissions from the middle of next year, with Erma to decide whether a hearing will be held. The process is likely to take a year.

Dr Suttie said many sectors were supportive of more GE research, but acknowledged some opposition to the application was likely.

"There's some people who are against this and that's up to them. In a democracy these people have every opportunity to state their views."

He said AgResearch would listen to public submissions and did not rule out changing its application based on what the public had to say. "AgResearch would pay very close attention to the force of public, industry and iwi opinion and we would take account of that opinion when preparing our application."

Dr Suttie said the work was important in developing new opportunities for New Zealand farmers and industries.

- © Fairfax NZ News