Schools become the new biotech incubators

By SIMON COLLINS science reporter

Schools will get more materials to teach students about biotechnology through an official strategy published today.

The strategy, first proposed two years ago by the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, also outlines plans for "dialogue" with New Zealanders so that they "have trust and confidence in the development of new biotechnologies".

The Government backed the strategy in this month's Budget with $500,000 in the coming year, rising to $1.4 million a year from next year, for "promoting an innovation culture" in biotechnology.

Monique Warring, the communications manager of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, said the money would be used "to provide balanced and practical information to increase New Zealanders' awareness and appreciation of biotechnology".

"It will involve a variety of different processes including school biotech education, possibly a website, travelling exhibitions and a variety of publications.

"There will definitely be some resources provided to schools for the new technology curriculum and for the science curriculum strand, 'Making sense of science and its relationship to technology'."

Biotechnology - making useable products out of living organisms - is revolutionising healthcare and food production around the world through dramatic advances in understanding the genes that drive all plants and animals.

It is one of the three key sectors which the Government picked last year as the focus of its growth and innovation policy, along with information and communication technology and creative industries.

In schools, biotechnology is one of seven technological areas in the new subject of technology, which has been compulsory from years 1 to 10 (primer 1 to form 4) since 1999.

Taking its cue from the royal commission, which recommended "proceeding selectively with appropriate care", the strategy adopts an overall approach of "development with care".

It argues that it is in New Zealand's trading interests to keep "a gold standard for safety", but adds: "We must do so in a way that supports innovation and does not load the system with unnecessary complexity and costs."

The document endorses many of the proposals made by an industry taskforce this month, but coyly avoids mentioning tax changes that the taskforce wanted. Officials are still working on those changes.

Science Minister Pete Hodgson said "development with care" meant the Government wanted New Zealand to "reap the benefits of biotechnology in a responsible and sustainable way".

"Constructive community engagement and public confidence in effective regulation will underpin growth in biotechnology."