Science Media Centre

Neal Wallace of the Otago Daily Times writes about warnings that NZ’s pasture-based farming system might have to change.
Stephen Goldson, AgResearch’s chief scientist and the vice-president of the Royal Society of New Zealand has said that pastoral farming may have reached its upper limits, in terms of production, and [...]

Kent Atkinson (NZPA) reports in Business Day on the upcoming application by the Pastoral Genomics group for a conditional release of GM forages, in particular clover and ryegrass.
The application, however, has raised concerns amongst some groups who worry that the altered genes could spread into non-GM pasture species.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“[A Royal Society] [...]

Eloise Gibson reports in the NZ Herald on concerns that the development and use of genetically modified animals in New Zealand could damage its overseas image.
However, a paper released by the Royal Society has suggested that international attitudes towards GM food and animals may be changing due worries about food security and climate change.
An excerpt: [...]

New Zealand scientists are preparing to begin applications for the use of ‘cisgenic’ pasturage – clover and ryegrass which has been genetically modified, but without using genes from other species.
It is hoped that the fact that the plants contain no genes from other species will make the the meat and milk from cows fed on [...]

Eloise Gibson reports in the New Zealand Herald on a proposal to put human genes into livestock with the aim of creating a special type of milk.
The application, by AgResearch, is currently under consideration by ERMA, and faces opposition from groups who believe the research is unethical.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“AgResearch says that if [...]

Kiran Chug reports in the Dominion Post that AgResearch may have to slaughter genetically modified cows if a current application to produce more of them is rejected.
The application asks that AgResearch use transgenic cows to develop and produce a medicinal milk, but is facing opposition from some groups who say the research is unethical.
An excerpt: [...]

Leading scientists examine GM issue
As part of a Science Media Centre briefing for journalists to be held on Tuesday, Agresearch chief scientist Steven Goldson will lead a panel of experts looking at the potential benefits and risks of introducing genetically modified pasture crops in New Zealand.
The Royal Society has prepared a paper on the subject [...]

Chris Gardner of the Waikato Times reports that a senior soil scientist feels that Andy West has been grovelling recently in attempts to secure funding for research into GM.
Andy West, CEO of AgResearch, was quoted last week as saying that research into GM food, in order to avert an impending global food crisis, was a [...]

CRI Taskforce set to give its verdict
The CRI Taskforce, set up by the Government to review the structure of the country’s Crown Research Institutes, is set to release its recommendations after presenting them to the Minister for Research, Science and Technology, Dr Wayne Mapp on February 15.
Taskforce chairman Neville Jordan said the review had confirmed [...]

I’m pleasantly surprised to report that — contrary to some expectations — the public forum held at Te Papa last night as part of the ISBGMO conference was for the most part an exercise in respectful restraint and open dialogue.
Soundings Theatre housed a fairly decent turnout — around a hundred people — many of them [...]