Scientists get nod on gene-swap research

By ANNE BESTON

Scientists face fewer obstacles on the road to a biotech future after a landmark decision yesterday that is seen as a major setback to the anti-GM movement.

Opponents on both sides of the issue agreed that the decision by the Government's gene science watchdog to allow wide-ranging genetic experiments using five species of mammal genes in cows has shifted the boundaries of the debate.

As expected, the Environmental Risk Management Authority, the independent body that regulates genetic science, yesterday gave the go-ahead for state-owned AgResearch to raise calf embryos genetically modified with human, mouse, deer, goat, or sheep genes.

The scope of the work means it has set a precedent on how closely gene science is scrutinised. AgResearch asked for, and got, permission to decide as it goes along what new organisms it will create rather than having to get approval from Erma for each viable embryo.

One of the stated aims of the research is to produce possible therapeutic proteins in the animals' milk for future medical purposes, such as a treatment for diseases like multiple sclerosis.

But AgResearch, which has spent almost $500,000 getting this application through the regulatory process, has made it clear it also wants the freedom to create "transgenic" animals so scientists can hone their skills in the new technology.

AgResearch chief executive Dr Keith Steele welcomed the "landmark and responsible" decision and said the institute would now push ahead with possible financial deals involving two companies.

He was not ready to name them but said the decision had put new purpose into negotiations.

Erma took double the time allowed under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act to reach a decision on what it called a sensitive and complex application.

But it has slapped some strict controls on what can and cannot be done during the research. They include:

* The timeframe for the work is cut from the requested 10 years to 7 1/2 years.

* The use of DNA viral or bacterial sequences is prohibited, meaning genetic material that could allow new viruses to escape into the environment cannot be used.

* Erma will monitor any breeding of transgenic cattle.

* No animals are to enter the food chain.

But the authority has allowed cows where the genetically modified foetus fails to develop in the uterus to be disposed of off-site.

In reaching its decision, the authority sought legal advice on issues raised by lawyers representing anti-GM groups but said yesterday it was satisfied the decision was legal.

Wellington lawyer Jamie Ferguson, who represented anti-GM groups, disputed that.

"Certainly the parties we represent and I'm sure a number of the other parties will be taking legal advice and will be giving some consideration to pursuing the matter in the High Court.

"[The decision] has created quite a major precedent for applications of this sort of 'blank cheque' nature."

Erma acknowledged the importance of its decision, saying it was in some ways the first of its kind.

"It has pushed the boundaries a bit in some respects. It's certainly important in giving a pointer into how similar applications might be dealt with in the future," said chief executive Dr Basil Walker.

It was approved as a development proposal in outdoor containment, a point anti-GM lawyers argued meant it should have been considered under tougher rules governing field trials.

But Erma rejected that argument, saying it had imposed enough controls around disposal of dead animals, milk and effluent to make the possibility of an unknown gene sequence escaping into the environment negligible.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons called AgResearch a "fiefdom" that would now be able to carry out various gene-swapping experiments with less public scrutiny.

"The Government is taking us further and further down a fully-GE road and it's as if they haven't listened to anything that's been said over the past four years."

She called the decision an important development and said the carte blanche nature of the decision was outrageous.

Pro-GM Life Sciences Network chairman Dr William Rolleston said scientists were happy with Erma's ruling.

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