(The Gene Technology Bill reached its 1^st reading in Parliament 17^th December 2024)

The Gene Technology Bill replaces the Hazardous Substance & New Organisms Act the first reading of this Bill took place on 17^th December 2024. The has been much concern about the introduction of this new Bill. The Ministry Of Business, Innovation , Employment MBIE introduced the Bill to Parliament (The House). Which will remove the ‘precaution approach to potentially dangerous untested, unknown Gene Edited products . Some of which will be excluded from relations. Many farmers are concerned about the Gene Technology Bill. We should be highly concerned too.  For many reasons. With the Christmas Holidays, this will shorten, limit consultation on the Gene Therapy Technology Bill as it has now processed to the Health Select Committee. The closing of submissions being 17^th February 2025. Because this is of very serious concern as to risks associated with Gene Technology. It appears the benefits have taken the lead over the risks associated with Gene Technology.

The Interchurch Bioethics Council have urged the Select Committee to extend the time lime for submission stating “there is too much at stake for the outcome to be in the hands of politicians or, and those with invested interests. MBIE (Govt) oversee the legislative process, Many gene edited products may be excluded from regulation labelling. Farmers are concerned that there will be no protection plan in place or an economic assessment. This could threaten Farmers livelihoods if ‘genetic pollution escapes through weather conditions such as winds, floods, storms, earth quakes. The question is “Will Insurance Company’s protect farmers. Cover damages, losses, costs)

CBAN has published constant failures in GE plant contamination of non-g e plants. For example ‘Fake Honey’ genetically engineered bacteria contamination of pure honey that’s sold to vegan markets ( Honey Consumers will they be suspicious of whether non gm honey has been contaminated? Benefits also include Risks. NZ is introducing a new Gene Technology Regulator within the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority to oversee safe gene technology). The Bill has introduced a two tier approach to risk management (with different regulatory requirements for each activity)

Some of the risks involved with the use of Gene Technology are:- Generically modified Food can cause allergic reactions. Long term health effects are unknown. GM crops can contaminate organic , non gm crops. There is an increase in the use of chemicals. Gene Therapy there is a risk of negative reactions in the immune system, a risk of targeting the wrong cells. Gene editing is imprecise, to cause undesirable changes to the gene cells. Earlier studies have found gene therapy can have serious effects – health risks eg Toxicity, Inflammation, Cancer. May cause excess immune reactivity to healthy cells that resemble the diseased  cells, causing damage to healthy cells

The MBIE have stated they are updating rules of Gene Technology Regulation to support NZ Scientists in using Gene Therapy, to advance Healthcare and climate change. Judith Collins has said that “The legislation that has banned using Gene Technology outside the Lab for almost 30 years. Now is the time to modernize NZ Laws to unlock the potential of science”. However Gene Technologi is Still Imprecise, can lead to inadvertent & undesirable change to the genome. There are still real concerns about long term safety of gene editing. (Concerns about the Unknown). There are moral and ethical boundaries to consider. Patient Safety. Food safety- security. The livelihoods of farmers. Unintended health consequences. Research on Gene Editing – the  Good, the Bad and the Dam Ugly. In the ‘Light Of Day ‘.. Will Judith Collins or any of the other political cronies point out, share with the Citizens of NZ the ‘Dark Side of Genetic Technology? (I think not)

Genetic Technologies creating opportunities for misuse and abuse.. (May 2019 Frontier Technology Quarterly (https://www.,un.org>publication) PLAYING WITH THE GENES ‘ THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY (United Nations)

WakeUpNZ NOW

Researcher: Cassie