Society's Evolving Policy on Genetic Engineering

Forest and Bird, Issue 303, 1 February 2002, Page 40

Society's Evolving Policy on Genetic Engineering

--( orest and Bird’s precautionary approach to genetic engineering has been further refined by branch councillors attending the November Council meeting at Wanganui. A paper on genetic engineering was presented to the Council by Dr Peter Maddison of the national executive, reiterating ‘that the Society should take a precautionary approach to genetic engineering and oppose the release of genetically modified organisms "beyond the laboratory door". (This implies that the Society is not opposed to the use of this technology in medicine or in the laboratory in containment). However, the protection of native flora and fauna is of paramount importance to Forest and Bird, and the potential for modified DNA to escape into the "wild" causes concerns. After debate and amendment, the Society’s policy was revised and unanimously resolved as follows: That the Society reaffirms its belief that a precautionary approach should be taken to the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment. That a sub-committee of the Council be established to consult with research agencies engaged in genetic modification, to ascertain: e The nature of current and future projects likely to have an impact upon the conservation of New Zealand’s natural environment. ¢ The potential benefits and negative impacts of these projects. e The nature and extent of

testing proposed prior to environmental release. e The monitoring process that will be implemented postenvironmental release and the precautions that will be taken to restrict unnecessary environmental spread. Regulatory agencies will be asked to ascertain: ¢ The process by which the environmental effects of the testing and/or release of genetically modified organisms will be assessed, monitored and evaluated as part of the regulatory procedure. e What efforts are being made to expand the knowledge base regarding the complexities of natural ecosystems and the effects that genetically modified organisms may have on these. The sub-committee, comprised of three members of the Council and the Conservation Manager, will report to the June 2002 Council meeting and recommend actions on the following: @ Whether the Society should support or oppose research, testing and use of genetically modified organisms that are likely to have an impact upon the conservation of New Zealand’s natural environment. @ Whether the Society should support the New Zealand GE Free Coalition. @ Whether the Society should promote to the Government that the New Zealand Conservation Estate be declared ‘GM Free’. It was agreed that Andrew Cutler and Peter Maddison be appointed to the subcommittee, along with the Conservation Manager, Eric Pyle, and another person. It is intended that conservation organisations and other groups be consulted.