'GE junk' expo talk takes flak

By PHILIPPA STEVENSON agricultural editor

A high-profile farming forum is being questioned for showcasing the views of an outspoken critic of genetic engineering without challenge.

A biochemist and former medical school lecturer, Dr Robert Mann, is a keynote speaker at this week's Dairy Expo in Hamilton, where he plans to warn farmers about the "junk science" of genetic engineering.

"I will just say I am here to tell you to be very cautious about the euphoric claims of the gene jockeys."

The consultant ecologist said the dairy industry's proposed investment in genetic engineering projects - $150 million over three years by the Dairy Board alone - was of dubious value.

Dr Mann said he would warn the industry that "various dairy genetic engineering proposals exist and have been accepted by a lot of people ... but most of them are fantasies as distinct from [having] any plausible prospect.

"I will be urging them to move in the direction of sustainability or organic production. Decreasing inputs, especially exotic chemicals, is a wise trend.

"You can try to get more profit by increasing output if you wish but how much room there may be in that direction is seriously open to question, whereas decreasing inputs can improve your net profit."

Dr Mann, who believes some tightly contained genetic engineering experiments may be worthwhile, will deliver his message just a stone's throw from a major centre of genetic research at AgResearch Ruakura.

The chief executive of AgResearch, Dr Keith Steele, believes New Zealand agriculture's international competitiveness could be seriously undermined if the value of genetically modified organisms is not at least assessed.

"It is important to keep in mind that, ultimately, the decision will be made by industry itself as to when it utilises genetic engineering," he said.

"But if New Zealand does not have the capability or the intellectual property in the area when it needs it, it might find that it cannot access it."

Dr Steele said discussion was important to enable industry and the public to make up their minds "but it is also important that in those discussions the whole range of views are presented and discussed."

While Dr Mann said he would be quoting past statements made by Dr Steele, the AgResearch head said he had not been approached by Dairy Expo organisers about the seminar.

At the nearby Dairying Research Corporation, chief executive Rob Pringle said he would have welcomed a structured debate on genetic engineering at the expo but the opportunity had not been offered and "it is not useful to have a slanging match from the floor."

The Dairy Board was planning a series of workshops in the coming months to inform farmers about industry biotechnology proposals.

If farmers were concerned about any of Dr Mann's comments they could raise them there or immediately with staff at Livestock Improvement, the Dairy Board or himself, Dr Pringle said.

Dr Mann said he was very ready to debate genetic engineering issues but had not been invited to do so at the expo.

He had rarely debated with AgResearch scientists, having found them unwilling to enter discussion.

"What have they got to gain from debate. They are getting the money and the permission they want to carry out their fantasies," he said.

Expo organiser Dave Fullerton said he understood that Dr Mann would speak about both the dangers and huge advantages of genetic engineering.

He was surprised to be told that Dr Mann intended to champion organic agriculture.

"We know that he is going to point out more the unseen dangers with genetic engineering but we are quite comfortable having a single speaker," he said.

Dr Mann will speak on the second day of the expo seminars, which start on Wednesday at the Claudelands Showgrounds with a state-of-the-nation address by the Dairy Board chairman, Graham Fraser, covering deregulation and the mega co-op merger.