March 29, 2000
Registrations are flooding in for a gene technology seminar being organised by ERMA New Zealand.
The weekend programme, to be held at Te Papa on 6,7 May 2000, will review the latest scientific information on gene technology - and its potential effects on the environment and public health. The programme also includes ethical and spiritual views on GE. Programme details attached.
Communications Manager, Karen Cronin, said that there was strong interest being shown, with people planning to come to the Wellington event from around the country.
"We are expecting a wide range of participants from scientists and researchers to interest groups and science educators."
The event will be opened by Environment Minister Marian Hobbs and will include presentations from scientists and technical experts in the field. Panel discussions and input from the audience will be a feature of the programme, with independent commentators (including senior journalists) summing up each session.
Key speakers include Dr Morgan Williams, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment; Rt. Rev Tom Brown, Archbishop of Wellington; Associate Professor Brian Jordan of Massey University and Dr Paul Butler of Physicians and Scientists for Responsible Genetics.
"The aim of this event is to summarise what we know about GE and its potential effects - and what we have still to find out. We don't want it to be a political debate, but instead an informed and open discussion on what we know in New Zealand at the moment about this important issue," said Ms Cronin.
The programme will cover:
- Trends in GE research internationally and in New Zealand;
- Cloning ? The human genome project;
- Technical issues, such as horizontal gene transfer, allergenicity and toxicity;
- Ecological issues, such as crossing species boundaries and evolutionary effects;
- GE, conventional breeding, organics: strategy and options for New Zealand agriculture;
- Social issues, including what is known about health effects, and the ethical issues around GE;
- Maori views on GE and the relationship with traditional Maori knowledge and spirituality;
- Professional issues for scientists: funding, science strategy, monitoring and choice;
- The GE continuum - which forms of GE are acceptable for New Zealand and which require further public discussion?
ERMA New Zealand expects 100-150 participants over the weekend including scientists, research institutes and companies, science educators, students, Maori experts, interested groups and individuals, and the news media.
Ms Cronin said the objectives for the seminar programme are to:
- identify and highlight the latest scientific thinking and knowledge about gene technology and its potential impacts;
- explore the issues from a variety of scientific perspectives;
- provide a forum for scientists and others to share their expertise and to discuss the scientific and technical issues that emerge;
- consider the wider economic, social and cultural context for work in this field;
- create an information resource about gene technology for other users eg. science teachers and the wider community.
The programme is part of the public awareness role of the Environmental Risk Management Authority
Registration for two full days has been kept to $175 with a further reduction for students/non waged.
The GE science seminar follows other GE events organised by ERMA New Zealand at Te Papa last year. They included a public forum on GE issues and a hands on workshop to explain the science behind GE.
A Community Education Kit has also just been released which features a video of the workshop and 'starter questions' for discussion groups. It is available on loan, free of charge, from ERMA New Zealand.
For further information:
Karen Cronin, Communications Manager,
ERMA New Zealand.
Tel: +64 4 496 4826.
Email: info@ermanz.govt.nz.