Illegal genetic research exposed
 Source: The Evening Post
 Publication date: 2000-05-05

Victoria and Massey universities are among five research institutes
recently uncovered performing illegal genetic engineering experiments.

Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) has given New Zealand
researchers less  than three weeks to ensure all GE research is
approved, or they will face fines.

At issue is a requirement under the Hazardous Substances and New
Organisms Act to obtain approval from Erma for GE research. Researchers
had been carrying out low-risk GE  experiments without approval, Erma
chief executive Bas Walker said yesterday.

The other institutes were Waikato and Canterbury universities and Crown
research institute Environmental Science and Research.

The discoveries followed an investigation into New Zealand's research
institutes after it was revealed last month that unapproved GE research
had occurred at Christchurch School of  Medicine and Land Care's
research centre in Auckland.

Dr Walker said Erma had suspended its delegated authorities to
institutions to make their own  approvals on low-risk genetic
engineering, pending completion of its investigation.

* The ethical implications of genetic engineering will be discussed at
a national conference in Wellington this weekend. The Erma conference at
the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa will include sessions on religious,
ecological, health, cultural, animal welfare and agricultural issues. -
NZPA and Post reporter

 Supplied by New Zealand Press Association