The InterChurch Bioethics Council is flagging the New Zealand Government's coalition plans to "liberalise genetic engineering" by 2025, as they rush to find fast fixes for problems such as climate change adaptation, food crop pests and commercial food production

Recent gene editing technologies can change agricultural products and processes at the cell level, say the ICBC team, as scientists help agribusinesses gain increased and faster production, reduced emissions or strengthened livestock and crops against disease.

Ethical problems arise in the unexpected and unplanned results of genetically modified organisms being released into the environment. The legislation on the books for next year removes safeguards that keep genetic modification in Aotearoa under limited scope in laboratories and small-scale, controlled conditions.

The Church's scientific and ethical thinkers on the ICBC have called on the coalition Government to hold an honest, open and well-resourced public conversation on the potential benefits, risks and side-effects of their proposed "liberalised" gene editing law changes.

ICBC member the Very Rev Dr Graham O'Brien came into ministry from a career in cell biology, and he thinks it’s wise to look at genetic editing laws again, with so many scientific advances since our GE legislation was put in place twenty years ago.

But Graham and his ICBC colleagues are keen to make sure the science doesn't go ahead without open ethical review built into its governing laws.

"It's vital that everyone understands what's happening with newly discovered gene technology and that we have the chance to consider all the angles, before the Government opens the doors to larger scale genetic editing in animals, plants and people in Aotearoa New Zealand."

With Government acting in haste to obtain potential benefits, the ICBC thinks New Zealanders need clear communication about the science from the Government and time to weigh the risks. 

Some of the key risks connected with gene editing:
- Modified genes can move into other species by "horizontal gene transfer" where fungus, virus or bacteria pick up the new genetic change and pass it on to a nearby plant or animal host
- The long term, life-time impacts of gene changes are not yet fully known, including long-term impacts on individuals (and on their families if these genes are able to be passed down generations) when human genes are edited to prevent disease
- Inequity of access to new gene technologies due to cost, or lack of choice to avoid GE seeds/plants/animals if the GE form becomes the cheapest
- Potential impact on whakapapa and taonga species raises particular concerns for ethics within Māori cultural and spiritual worldviews
- Spiritual impacts of "perfecting and enhancing" people, including impact on the disability community 

Graham and the ICBC team say that because gene editing can have far-reaching effects on the natural environment and on humans, the government needs to share easy-to-understand information with the public, and promote chances to feed back.

"One year is enough time if there is intentional sharing and listening, and that has the potential to gain public support and ownership of legislative changes going forward." said ICBC Co-Chair Joy McIntosh today.

"It would be great to build some momentum on this call, so that the Government know that Kiwis do care about the ethics of genetic manipulation, and we think this is an issue that shouldn't be jostled through in the back corridors of Parliament, without a much bigger conversation." said Graham O'Brien. 

For more detailed information about the history and current plans for genetic editing in Aotearoa New Zealand you can download the ICBC Guide here.

The InterChurch Bioethics Council letter, which they jointly authored with three other ethics and scientific organisations, went to the Prime Minister in January and is available to read here.

 A suggested letter template calling on the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology for an open consultation on ethics and genetic modification follows below. 

Hon. Judith Collins

Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology
J.Collins@ministers.govt.nz 

Dear Minister,

I am writing to request that the government invest in a wide consultation on the ethical impact of genetic modification technology expanding in Aotearoa New Zealand, led by an independent advisory body of scientists and ethicists.

While I am not an expert in the field of genetic modification, I am aware that scientific advances in this field have been swift over the last 25 years, and that few people in our country have had the opportunity to understand the benefits and risks associated with the expanded rollout of gene editing technology your Government is planning in 2025.

As a matter of due diligence, the Government owes it to the Aotearoa New Zealand public to provide clear and balanced information and to encourage conversation, consideration and debate on this issue before it becomes policy that could impact on our land, livestock, food and bodily and familial health.

As a partner in the Treaty of Waitangi the Government owes a particular responsibility to consult with iwi Māori and consider their values and concerns on new technologies.

Please ensure that no legislation goes ahead to liberalise gene editing without built-in requirements for ethical review.

Yours sincerely,

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