| This week's decision by the New Zealand Labor Government to allow the
resumption of field trials of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has
created a storm of controversy among the indigenous Maori community, most
of whom reject the release of the technology into the environment.
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In an attempt to defuse the growing controversy, Minister for
Conservation Sandra Lee -- who is a Maori herself but from Labor's
coalition partner, the Alliance Party -- promised on Wednesday that
further changes will be made to address Maori concerns.
Lee conceded that the prospect of crossing genes from one species to
another is ''generally repugnant to many Maori'', and Maori politicians
and groups say they find it ''disrespectful'' of life.
Lee has promised further legislative amendments to address concerns
that the decision breaches the government's obligations under the 1852
Treaty of Waitangi with Maori. Concerns over transgenic organisms, she
said, would ''be considered by a proposed Bioethics Council''.
The controversy follows the announcement on Tuesday by New Zealand
Prime Minister Helen Clark that the government would allow the resumption
of field trials of genetically modified crops.
''We cannot afford to turn our back on science, which has the potential
to inform our medical, biotechnology and industry strategies, but nor can
we ignore the concerns raised about aspects of genetic modification,''
Clark said in announcing the decision.
The decision potentially allows field trials within the next year of
genetically modified maize, potatoes, sugar-beet, peas and pine trees for
forestry.
The government also announced that it will legislate to ban the
commercial release of genetically modified organisms for a two- year
period -- ''except those that provide direct benefits to human or animal
health'' -- to allow further research on ethical, social and environmental
concerns.
The peak genetic engineering lobby group, the Life Sciences Network (LSN),
welcomed the government decision.
''None of the potential conditions flagged in the government's
announcement are new or outside the range of conditions which have
previously been considered by the Environment Risk Management Agency
(ERMA). We would expect ERMA to continue to base its decisions on science
rather than irrational emotion", LSN chairman Dr William Rolleston
said.
The decision has provoked a backlash from the Maori community, which
has fundamental objections to the release of the technology to the
environment.
After walking out of the caucus meeting Tuesday, all nine Maori Labor
Party members issued a statement saying ''we have particular concerns
about ensuring that nature is not manipulated''.
''The release of genetically modified organisms into the environment is
not acceptable. We are not opposed to science. We are concerned about the
dangers of compromising the social, cultural and environmental integrity
of our country for short-term commercial gain,'' they wrote.
''The transfer of genes between unrelated plant, animal and human
species is in our view a threat to human existence as we currently know it
(Maori) recognise the various life-forms and the contribution they
provide for each other. To interfere with a life-form is disrespectful and
is another form of cultural arrogance,'' they stated.
Earlier this year, national Maori groups told the 14-month long Royal
Commission on Genetic Modification that they supported a ban on the
patenting of any life forms and urged an end to ''free trade negotiations
and stop biotechnology multinationals from entering Aotearoa to conduct GM
experiments''.
They also urged the government to halt the import of GM foods for the
future and instead invest in transforming New Zealand into an organic
producing nation.
The final report of the Royal Commission -- established to advise the
government on policy options with genetic modification and its regulation
-- was handed down in late July. While the report acknowledged the deeply
held concerns of Maori, it rejected nearly all their recommendations.
The controversy is not confined to the Maori community. A strong
grassroots campaign has mobilised tens of thousands of people -- including
at major rallies -- in support of a policy of New Zealand declaring itself
''GE free''.
While the pro-GM lobby supports the case-by-case assessment approach
adopted by ERMA, Greenpeace is sceptical.
''We have no faith in ERMA, who have approved every application for a
field trial they have received and are really a very weak regulatory
agency,'' Greenpeace GE campaigner Annette Cotter said.
''By artificially differentiating between field trials and commercial
releases the government has fallen woefully short of their obligations to
New Zealanders, and the integrity of the environment,'' she added.
With the Labor Government already relying on Green Party members to
ensure a majority on the floor of Parliament, Clark risks losing further
support to the Greens which have strongly opposed the government decision.
Greens Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons has vowed to make GE a major issue in
the run-up to the election, which is due at the latest by November 2002.
''The government needs support from both Maori and environmentalists to
win the election and this decision has alienated both groups,'' Cotter
said. |