Scientists are poised to take advantage of an easing in rules governing the testing of genetically modified organisms, with several projects ready to be advanced.
AgResearch is continuing plans to seek approval for an outdoor trial of ryegrass with gene-edited endophytes and Scion has several streams of biotechnology development that it can now pursue.
Scientists were in celebratory mood this week with news the government will introduce legislation freeing up the application of genetic engineering (GE) from what is effectively a ban on its use outside the laboratory.
The planned proportionate approach means organisms that have been gene edited and considered low risk will have less stringent rules on field trials and release than organisms where genes have been inserted.
Alec Foster, the head of Scion’s bioproducts and packaging research is unequivocal about what the decision means.
“I don’t think people realise what a game changer biotechnology can be.
“It will be a disrupter for many sectors but in a positive way for efficiency, helping the environment and will be beneficial for all New Zealanders.”
He said that by 2040, Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, expects $19.2 billion in economic benefits and 31,200 new jobs from GE in the food and agriculture sectors alone.
The United States is investing billions of dollars and aims to replace 30% of chemicals and 90% of plastics with biotechnology-derived alternatives that use GE technology.
The European Union and the United Kingdom have eased regulations, citing benefits from maintaining crops yields, reducing chemical use and assisting food security.
Foster said Scion has projects using GE technology to sterilise pine trees and to make them grow faster and absorb more carbon.
Other projects include bioplastics, renewable chemicals, engineering microbes for wastewater remediation and carbon sequestration.
Technology to convert biomass from the forestry and dairy sectors for feedstock is another avenue.
AgResearch science team leader Richard Scott said if approved under current legislation, the contained outdoor trial of gene edited endophyte-containing ryegrass could be underway next year.
“This knowledge would be complemented by outdoor trials already taking place in Australia,” he said.
While welcoming the change in legislation, Scott said it will take time to be passed and a new regulator appointed and then to fully understand the regulatory process.
AgResearch can now design trials for its other GE-modified pasture programmes such as its high metabolisable energy ryegrass and high condensed tannin white clover.
Plant and Food Research chief scientist Richard Newcomb said they can use GE technology to accelerate and enhance the conventional plant breeding research they have been working on.
Newcomb said they need to work with growers to determine what traits and attributes they want and need.
“Now it’s all about talking with industry about what particular traits they want us to target.”
Scott believes society is more accepting of the technology than 25 years ago, but the sector still has to explain to the public how the technology has evolved in the past two decades and is significantly different.
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