June 30, 2000
The Environmental Risk Management Authority has completed its nationwide check on unauthorised genetic modifications. While none of the GM research posed significant environmental risks, the investigation showed widespread incidence of unauthorised GM work throughout research institutions.
The Authority says there are now vastly improved procedures in place as a result of its inquiry - and a much higher level of awareness among GM scientists of the approval process required under the law.
However, it had also found examples of GM work being done in other institutions such as polytechnics, and health care and has now extended its investigations to include these.
ERMA New Zealand controls the introduction of new plants and animals, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and hazardous substances to New Zealand. Last month it conducted a nationwide check on GM research, following reports of unauthorised work at universities and crown research institutes.
Chief Executive, Dr. Bas Walker, presented the results of the investigation to a special meeting with GM scientists, at the ERMA New Zealand conference in Christchurch today.
"We contacted 27 research facilities around New Zealand to find out what GM work was going on. All but one met the reporting deadline of 24 May. These initial reports indicated there could be over 100 GM experiments going on without the appropriate legal approvals. Our staff have now gone through all the reported cases to identify if they were in fact illegal and to check if they posed any risks to the environment or public health.
The final result is that we had 1065 reported GM developments. Of these, 152 current experiments were not approved and a further 39 were old work without approval but where the material has since been destroyed.
Our investigation shows that all the research meets the 'low risk' criteria in the HSNO Act, which means that it can be done safely under the appropriate containment standards."
Some of the work included the use of human genes and native flora and fauna. The Authority issued guidelines to Institutional Biological Safety Committees (IBSCs) earlier in the year to ensure that ethical and cultural issues were properly addressed.
Low risk GM work can be approved by institutions on site, under delegated power from the Authority. The Authority suspended all delegations at the start of its investigation. Continues page 2
These had been progressively reinstated over the last month, once the Authority was satisfied that robust systems were in place. As of today, all but one of the institutions have had their delegations restored.
Dr Walker said that the investigation had been a highly valuable exercise.
" We now have the research institutions back on track and all the work identified has been put through the proper channels to seek approvals before the work resumes. We have a much better management system throughout the country and that is a positive result.
It has also been enormously important in raising awareness in science institutions. We know it sent a bit of a shock wave through the science community - and in some cases that was clearly needed. Many had been doing a good job but some scientists seemed unaware of the approval process and how it applied to their work. This was despite extensive training and information programmes run by both the Authority and in the science facilities themselves."
Dr Walker said it was unfortunate that some PhD students had been caught up in the process. "They were let down by their supervisors or research managers who should have made sure that the proper approvals were in place before the work started." However, applications were coming directly to the Authority for consideration over the last few weeks while delegated decision-making was suspended and so there was still a procedure available.
Meanwhile, the investigation of the Christchurch School of Medicine, where the issue first arose, has also now been completed. The work was found to have been unauthorised and those responsible were identified. The report had been considered by the Authority and was referred to Otago University which has enhanced its monitoring procedures.
"The Authority is now satisfied that the appropriate systems are in place to prevent a repeat of this situation and the university delegation has been reinstated."
Dr Walker said the recent investigations had also identified other types of institutions doing GM work without the appropriate approvals. These included polytechnics, health agencies and, potentially, high schools. The Authority had written to 13 polytechnics using GM techniques as part of NZQA accredited teaching programmes. While replies are still coming in, there were four examples found of where GM work was done intermittently in the past without authorisation.
A small number of cases had also been found in healthcare facilities. In each case the Authority had asked the researchers to suspend work, and to obtain approval before resuming.
For further information contact:
| Bas Walker Chief Executive Tel: +64 021 426 874 |
Karen Cronin Communications Manager Tel: +64 4 918 4826 |