GENE EDITING SPURS
INDUSTRY-WIDE DEBATE
New Zealand has
historically had a
alan.stewart@xmail.co.nz
Phone: +64 21 430 768
12 NOVEMBER 2018
The discussion paper
– the third in
a series from the
society’s Gene Editing
in Aotearoa project –
states gene editing could bring a
range of benefits for the agriculture,
horticulture and forestry sectors,
zoning in on apples, mānuka,
ryegrass, wilding pines and dairy
cows. But what do the experts
think?
Dr Prof Peter Dearden
(Bio-Protection Research Centre,
Director of Genomics Aotearoa, and
Professor of Genetics at University of
Otago):
“The panel has looked at a
number of scenarios in primary
production in New Zealand in
which gene editing could be used.
These scenarios are not really
futuristic, but ideas that could be
implemented relatively quickly.
The report clearly shows that the
biggest barriers to using these
technologies are regulatory ones
and that the regulatory regimen is
complex and often contradictory.
The scenarios show the benefits
that gene editing could bring in
each scenario, clearly indicating
the benefits we would miss out
on if we do not engage with
this technology, and develop
the skills to carry out effective
gene editing in New Zealand.
Without skills and research in
gene editing we will not be able
to determine risk vs benefits, nor
have the ability to understand and
assess technologies coming from
overseas.”
Dr Tony Conner
(Science Group Leader, AgResearch):
“It is timely to have a public
discussion about the merits
or otherwise of gene editing,
and potential applications and
opportunities for New Zealand as a
food-producing nation. The genetic
technologies are developing at
such a pace internationally that
it’s important we don’t get left
behind, and as a society, that we
understand what gene editing is,
and what it is not. The difficulty with
public perceptions of any genetic
technology is that it tends to be
skewed in favour of the worst-case
scenario, even when there is no real
evidence of harm. It puts the onus
on us as scientists to communicate
what the evidence actually shows.
My colleagues at AgResearch
have already demonstrated what is
possible with gene editing in both
the plant and animal space. My
colleagues in animal science have
proven that they can use CRISPR
technology to remove a major
allergen from a cow’s milk, and this
shows one path to enhancing our
food supply and human health. In
the plant space, a lot has already
been achieved over the decades
in selective breeding to make our
pastures perform better. This has
meant production from our farms,
that is the backbone of the NZ
economy, has flourished. Billions
of dollars have been saved through
the targeted use of endophytes
(a type of fungi that lives within
grasses) to deter pasture pests,
but there is also an issue with
some endophytes being harmful
to the livestock. Gene editing has
the potential to remove that harm
to livestock, while maintaining
the huge benefits the endophytes
offer.”
Professor Andy Allan
(School of Biological Sciences,
University of Auckland):
“Gene editing of plants should be
treated in the same way as any
breeding method. If the resulting
plant is measurably better for the
environment or the consumer then
that is the only hurdle it should
meet. At present, these plants
are categorised as ‘genetically
modified’ (GM) by NZ law, even
though the DNA changes made are
exactly the same as those created
by sunlight, and a lot less than
those made by traditional breeding.
The simple message should be:
these plants now contain new
DNA. Fast flowering of apple was
used as one example in the Royal
Society’s discussion document.
Why use this technique? Because
with changing climate new cultivars
have to be constantly developed.
Otherwise, we lose our production.
Growing what cultivars we have
under slightly warmer conditions
won’t be an option. In addition, new
plant pathogens arrive or evolve in
our areas of production. The best
way to protect against these events
is good breeding, and fast breeding
conservative approach
to gene editing, but
embracing gene
editing technology
could allow us to
create diseaseresistant
mānuka
honey and remove
certain allergens from
milk, a new Royal
Society Te Apārangi
report says.
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