Greens worry Agresearch trying to turn NZ into GE lab (NZPA)

A Green Party leader has condemned the the application by state science company Agresearch to genetically engineer a range of animals, as well as human and monkey cells and yeasts and bacteria. "It wants to turn New Zealand into a giant GE laboratory to boost its own corporate plans at the expense of our long-term image, and without taking into account the huge risk of something going wrong," said Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons. She was concerned that Agresearch might be able to develop unlimited numbers of GE animals without disclosing publicly which specific genes and associated genetic material it intends to use. Agresearch has made four applications for the laboratory testing of human and monkey cell lines and smaller species of genetically engineered laboratory animals and the development of GE cows, buffalo,... [read full story]