August 24, 1999
"Note - This information is taken from Application material provided by the Applicant"
Ag Research has applied to the Authority to field test genetically modified dairy cattle in the Waikato. They propose to modify the cattle by adding a cattle casein gene or a copy of the human myelin basic protein gene, or by deleting the cattle B lactoglobulin gene.
By modifying the cattle genes, Ag Research aims to change the amount of particular proteins in the milk. This is expected to influence the processing characteristics of the milk and the nutritive and allergenic properties to consumers.
A copy of the human myelin basic protein gene would be inserted to make the cattle express a human protein in their milk, which could then be extracted. The aim is to test it to see if can be developed as a drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
For more information on the proposal, see the Executive Summary provided by the Applicant.
See all the reports available on this application.
The full application document is available from ERMA New Zealand at a charge of $5. The application was received and then verified by ERMA New Zealand on 12 March 1999.
It was publicly notified on 17 March 1999 and 30 submissions were received. See the Summary of Submissions [pdf - 55 kb].
The application has been evaluated by the ERMA New Zealand project team, which included Elizabeth Beale (Project Leader), Dr A Moeed, Dr Deborah Read, Dr Janet Gough, Bevan Tipene Matua, Dr Bas Walker, and an external scientific expert Prof. Hugh Blair of Massey University.
It has also been considered by the Authority's Maori advisory committee, Nga Kaihautu Tikanga Taiao, which provides advice to the Authority on the application.
The application and the reports above will be considered by a special committee of the Authority at a public Hearing in Wellington on 25 August 1999.
The Committee includes: Prof. Barry Scott (Chair), Mr Bill Falconer, Dr Oliver Sutherland, Mrs Helen Hughes and Prof. Colin Mantell and an external expert on Maori issues Mrs Leatrice Welsh. For more information on the Authority members, see AuthorityProfile.
The hearing will include presentations from the applicant and from all those who made a submission and asked to be heard. For more information on how hearings are conducted, see the Quick Guide to Hearings (Quick Guide Number 8).
For more information on the applicant and submitters see the following links