GE website to air all views

The Royal Commission on Genetic Engineering says people who fail to win the special status that entitles them to give oral evidence and cross-examine witnesses will still have their written submissions placed on the commission's website.

Sir Thomas Eichelbaum, who heads the $4.8 million commission, said the internet presence would allow people who could not attend the hearings in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland to follow the evidence.

Submissions from members of the public - handwritten, typed or in electronic form - would be vetted, partly to check they did not defame anyone, and then be put on the website.

People would also be able to read transcripts of the public hearings.

Sir Thomas said the commission would announce soon some meetings outside Wellington to hear informal viewpoints.

These would include the two national hui promised to Maori.

The first is expected to be at Tunohopu Marae in Rotorua in October.

- NZPA

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