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Royal Commission on Genetic Modification

Genetic Modification

A Royal Commission on Genetic Modification was established by the Government on 8 May 2000 to look into and report on the issues surrounding genetic modification in New Zealand. It reported on 27 July 2001 - see Report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification.

The Government response

The major theme of the Royal Commission's report is “preserving opportunities”. The Commission thought it unwise for New Zealand to turn its back on the potential advantages on offer from genetic modification. But it recommended that New Zealand should proceed with caution on genetic modification, minimising and managing risks.

The Government supports the overall strategy of preserving opportunities suggested by the Royal Commission. The Government is concerned to protect our health and environment. It wants to take a precautionary approach to genetic modification and allow time for more research. See Government decisions on key recommendations.

Summary of government decisions

The following is a summary of government decisions on the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. They are grouped in topic order:

1. Research and controls in containment

Recommendations:

  • 6.1 to 6.5, 6.7, 6.11 (simplifying approval processes)
  • 6.6, 6.9 (gaps in HSNO coverage)
  • 6.10, 7.5, 7.6 (ethical & cultural issues)

2. Constraint on release and investigation into co-existence

Recommendations:

  • 6.8, 13.1, 13.2 (constraint on release)
  • 7.1 to 7.3, 7.7, 13.3, 13.4 (investigation of techniques for co-existence)
  • 6.12 to 6.14, 7.4 (research)

3. Food and medical

Recommendations:

  • 8.1 to 8.4 (food and consumer information)
  • 9.3 (food/medicine interface issues)
  • 9.4 to 9.6 (medicines approvals)
  • 9.1, 9.2 (medical ethics)

4. Intellectual property

Recommendations:

  • 10.1 to 10.7

5. Overarching and structural elements

Recommendations:

  • 11.1, 12.1, 12.2, 14.1 to 14.4

Cabinet papers on genetic modification

The following cabinet papers are also available:

Last updated: 24 February 2009