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Free New Zealand in Food & Environment, 16th February
2005
Minister Misleading Public Over Terminator Trials
GE Free NZ in food and Environment believe Marian Hobbs is deliberately
misleading the public about New Zealand's backing for Terminator
genes at an international conference. Worse, she may be covering
up the fact that similar technology is already being trialled in
the field in this country.
Following the UN conference on Biodiversity the Minister has been
called on to support an international moratorium on development
of Terminator seeds until the fundamental societal issues have been
scrutinised by the world community.
She has refused to do so and has dodged the question. But she has
also not been honest about the fact that ERMA appear to have already
approved trials of a different "GURT" (Genetic Use Restriction
Technique) at Rotorua.
Firstly the Minister misled the media and the public when she implied
she is being unreasonably asked to support a "ban" rather
than a moratorium on Terminator seeds. Her press statement says
"Marian Hobbs rejected a call (to (support a) ban on field
tests for "terminator genes" raised in the report"
.
This language seems to be a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the
situation as revealed by the Minister's personal response to messages
about Terminator seeds where she states:" It is important to
note that countries are not presently being asked to vote on banning
or otherwise of the use of GURTs" .
What's more the Minster's main advisors have allowed the misleading
impression to go uncorrected as a way to avoid the question about
a worldwide moratorium on Terminator seeds.
By talking in generalisations about GURTS but not specifically about
Terminator seeds, Marian Hobbs is dodging the ethical question facing
the international community.
She is also hiding the fact that ERMA may have approved field trials
of GE trees at Rotorua incorporating a GURT. The application for
GE pine trees now being grown in New Zealand is understood to include
some with the "barnase" gene construct which is another
approach to genetic control.
"The government must state their support for the global community
over Terminator seeds,and back a moratorium," says Jon Carapiet
from GE Free NZ in food and environment.
"It must also face up to the fact that - despite opposition
from many quarters- ERMA may have quietly allowed GE field trials
of another form of GURT to begin in Rotorua"
"People may be angry that it's already starting
but that's the way the government is pushing," says Jon Carapiet.
" It's for that very reason the public are demanding our government
come out clearly in support of the international moratorium on development
of Terminator seeds".
The New Zealand government must keep faith with the public and the
world by promising GE Terminator in food is not next on the agenda."
ENDS
Jon Carapiet 021 050 7681
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