April 5, 2000
A public hearing on genetically modified sheep starts tomorrow, 6 April 2000.
The Environmental Risk Management Authority will hear an application from Ag Research Ltd., to field test genetically modified sheep with an inactivated myostatin gene, at its Ruakura site in the Waikato.
The hearing will be held in the BP Theatrette, Ground Floor, BP House, Johnston Street, Wellington, starting at 9.30am. Provision has been made for the hearing to run over two days, into Friday 7 April if required.
A total of 80 submissions were received on the proposal, mostly from individuals. Of these around 20 submitters will be making presentations at the hearing, along with the applicant and ERMA New Zealand staff.
The application is to alter a gene in conventional sheep that produces the myostatin protein, which regulates muscle development. It is known that a similar natural mutation occurs in the Belgian Blue cattle. The research is to see if the process can be replicated in sheep to achieve enhanced muscle growth.
The proposal is to conduct research in contained facilities, not for the release of the organism.
The application was received last year and will be considered by the Authority, under the provisions of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. The hearing will not be affected by the proposed Royal Commission of Inquiry or Moratorium on GMOs, which has yet to be announced by the Government.
Full details are available on request from ERMA New Zealand.
For further information:
Karen Cronin, Communications Manager,
ERMA New Zealand.
Tel: +64 4 496 4826.
Background
Ag Research already has approval to develop the gene construct. The present application is to transfer embryos to a flock of conventional sheep, with the expectation of achieving 5-10 transgenic animals. These would form a founder flock, to breed up to 100 transgenic sheep. The work would be done at the Ag Research Ruakura site.
The aim of the project is to increase the understanding of myostatin function. If approved, it would be a field test in containment.
The applicant has cited potential long term benefits from the research including: - the potential to identify genetic markers which could enhance conventional sheep breeding - alternatively, the potential to develop a transgenic flock carrying the new gene construct - to improve scientific understanding of the process of muscle development, which might have benefits for medical research related to heart failure and muscular damage.
The application was received on 16 June 1999 and then stalled when further information was sought under S.52 of the HSNO Act. It was notified on 8 December 1999 and submissions closed 16 February 2000.
The Executive Summary of the Application is available from ERMA New Zealand.