GM research project targets cost and safety

One of the two current genetic modification projects involves herbicide-resistant onions.

Agriculture, forestry and horticulture are set to benefit from a $4.6 million research project on the environmental impact of new agricultural biotechnologies, such as genetically modified (GM) plants.

There is said to be a "major knowledge gap" in New Zealand on the subject. The research, over four years, involves AgResearch, HortResearch and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, and is designed to help avoid any costly mistakes from releasing "harmful technologies".

It will create databases on the impact of GE plants and other new technologies, and provides for new monitoring techniques.

Project head Travis Glare, of AgResearch at Lincoln, said: "This project is looking at generically how would you decide that something is safe."

He said getting approval to use new technologies could involve significant funds. "One of the problems we have in New Zealand is it is actually relatively expensive to try to get these technologies through to practical application.

"So what we're trying to do is put some tools round that will make the process cheaper in coming up with answers."

Besides the implications of GE plants, the project will assess such issues as the impact of inhibitors used to stop nitrogen leaching from soil into waterways.

A database on pasture and forest-based organisms would be collated.

"We're asking what are the organisms that are present there that would be at risk and how might you define those organisms."

This included a study of underground microbes and invertebrates.

The potential effects of new technologies on these ecosystems would be looked at, including the risks and benefits of new farming methods.

"We're trying to build all that into an over-arching, computer-based framework ... that will link to some models that will predict some of these outcomes."

These models could, for example, provide a tool for people applying for a new GE field trial or for community groups wanting to assess the impact of a new technology.

"We see our role as basically informing the debate," said Glare.

There are two GE field trials at the moment in New Zealand. One involves herbicide-resistant onions at Lincoln, and the other involves pine trees near Rotorua. Security measures to stop cross-pollination include a buffer zone around the onions and the pines, which are behind a fence, are torn out before they flower.

The new research project is funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.