The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) has made three minor amendments to approvals held by AgResearch to carry out research using genetically modified cattle.
The first minor amendment is to the field test of genetically modified cattle to research the effects of increasing the casein content of milk. This approval (GMF98009 Part 1) has been amended to extend the time frame by another three years to provide more time for the research objectives to be achieved.
The second amendment is an approval to enable research into genetically modified cattle to express functional therapeutic proteins in their milk and to study gene function and genetic performance. This approval (GMD02028) is broad as it covers the development of a widely specified range of genetically modified cattle. It has been amended to include the use of a single selection marker gene (conferring resistance to the antibiotic puromycin) which is frequently used in research of this type. Puromycin is not an antibiotic used in human or animal medicine.
The third amendment is also to approval GMD02028. This change clarifies that AgResearch is able to use genetically modified cattle embryos or semen previously developed by partner organisations. The genetic modifications of these cattle embryos and semen are limited to the specified range of modifications originally approved by the Authority. The change has also clarified that AgResearch are able to further develop this material into live offspring by using common animal husbandry techniques. This change does not alter the level of risk or uncertainty involved in the project neither does it change the parameters in the approval for the cattle.
The ability to make amendments to existing approvals is covered by Section 67A of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. This section of the Act enables the Authority to make amendments to existing approvals that are minor in effect or correct a minor or technical error. They do not alter either the purpose of the approval or the level of risk.
"One amendment allows AgResearch to continue with their existing field test of genetically modified cattle for a further three years. The decision to allow the extension took into consideration cultural concerns of local iwi and will require on going consultation with Ngati Wairere said Rob Forlong, Chief Executive of ERMA New Zealand. The other two changes are to AgResearch's development approval so they can use imported transgenic embryos and sperm to investigate the concept of cattle producing human lactoferrin in their milk. They will not, however be able to produce a commercial herd on the basis of this decision."
"It is important to emphasise that these cattle will remain in strict containment and be subject to on-going controls enforced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry."
For further information contact Julie Watson, Manager Public Awareness, ERMA New Zealand
- Telephone +64 4 918 4824
- Mobile 021 674 954
- Facsimile +64 4 914 0433
- Website: www.ermanz.govt.nz
Email: info@ermanz.govt.nz