Science Media Centre

Paul Gorman reports in The Press on the first successful isolation of DNA from ancient eggshell fossils by an international team including researchers from the University of Otago. The eggshell fragments include those from moa, and it is hoped they will enable reserachers to better understand the history, and demise, of the birds. An excerpt: [...]

For the first time, DNA has been successfully extracted from fossilized eggshells, with some of the fragments being from moa. The international team, which included scientists from the University of Otago, published the paper in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.    Previous attempts to perform this kind of extraction had been unsuccessful, and it is [...]

Kiran Chug of the Dominion Post reports that a one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition could soon become far more personal, thanks to nutrigenomics. Nutrigenomics is the study of how our genetic make-up affects which foods are good for each of us, personally, and also how different foods and micronutrients can in turn affect our DNA. An [...]

It is 20 years since DNA evidence was first presented in a New Zealand court, a development that resulted in the conviction of Michael James Pengelly for the murder of an elderly Auckland woman. Long-used in helping solve serious crimes, DNA samples in the mid nineties were increasingly used as evidence in criminal cases when [...]

DNA Pioneer in SMC briefing As New Zealand forensic scientists prepare to mark 20 years of DNA testing in New Zealand the Science Media Centre is pleased to host an online briefing for journalists featuring one of the founding fathers of DNA forensics, Dr Peter Gill. As this Times article explains, Dr Gill was part [...]

Helen Murdoch of The Press reports on recent research showing that methyl bromide could have a damaging effect on DNA. The chemical, which is widely used in horticulture and to fumigate imports and log exports, is being reviewed by ERMA (the Environmental Risk Management Authority), who will determine whether it should continue to be used [...]

The 2nd Australia-New Zealand roundtable on genomics was held in Wellington today and featured a broad range of scientists and legal experts discussing the production, applications and safeguards for using genomic knowledge. The audience also heard from Attorney General Chris Finalyson who outlined the ethical and legal issues genomics researchers face as use of genetic [...]

Ian Steward of the The Press writes about the recent change of law widening the powers of police to take DNA samples, a move which has prompted some criticism. A number of charges (as opposed to convictions) will now require DNA sampling, including mistreatment of animals, assault and indecent behaviour.  Some groups, however, are concerned [...]

A new law passed in Parliament today gives police wider powers to take DNA samples from people charged with a range of serious crimes. In 2011, the provisions under the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Act will widen further to allow DNA samples to be taken from any person the police intends charging with an [...]

Today’s New Zealand Herald reports that the Justice Minister expects strong public debate over the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill, which allows DNA to be taken from anyone the police ‘intend to charge’ with an imprisonable offence. Earlier this week it was reported in the New Zealand Herald that the Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said [...]