Analysis of Public
Submissions
Analysis of
Public Submissions
3.
section 3.12 |
appendix 3
Outcomes of Consultation: Submissions
from the Public
Section contents
3.
Analysis of Public Submissions
22
3.12 Opportunities from use or avoidance
94
Background
94
Outline of this section
94
Opportunities from use of genetic modification
94
Opportunities from avoidance of genetic modification
96
Royal Commission on Genetic Modification | Report Appendix 3
3.12 Opportunities from use
or avoidance
Background
Warrant item (i) sought information from submitters about their views on the
opportunities to New Zealand of using, or avoiding the use of, genetic modification.
The Warrant item stated:
the opportunities that may be open to New Zealand from the use or avoidance of genetic
modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
Outline of this section
This section, as with other sections, will present submitters views about the
opportunities available to New Zealand from:
*
the use of genetic modification
*
the avoidance of genetic modification.
Opportunities from use of genetic
modification
As Table 3.18 shows, 1461 public submitters (13.4% of the total) identified
opportunities from genetic modification use. Of those that identified opportunities,
however, almost all added that their recognition of these opportunities did not
mean they supported genetic modification use. For instance, they acknowledged
that there might be a wide range of new products, given the creation of new
genetically modified organisms, or new strains of existing products. Also,
productivity may well increase although, submitters stated, such increased
productivity and profitability would be mostly limited to multinational companies.
The only exceptions to submitters' rejection of genetic modification use, despite
opportunities, were in the health area. Here, some submitters would accept
genetic modification use for health care opportunities.
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Section 3: Public Submissions
Report Appendix 3 | Roy al Commission on Genetic M odification
Opportunities from GM-use
Number
%
Human health benefits
690
47.2
Increased productivity ­ current industry sectors
511
74.1
Increased range of products
315
21.6
Increased profitability ­ current industry sectors
217
14.9
Environmental benefits
125
8.6
Generalised national economic benefits
78
5.3
Maintain science/research capability
77
5.3
Increase science/research capability
65
4.4
Enhance animal welfare
42
2.9
Increased competitiveness ­ current industry sectors
34
2.3
Develop new knowledge-based industry
22
1.5
New global leadership role
15
1.0
General/unspecified benefits
10
0.7
Cheaper food for poorer economies
6
0.4
Benefits to farmers in developing countries
3
0.2
Create more jobs
2
0.1
Retain scientific opportunities
2
0.1
Safeguard biodiversity
2
0.1
Other
25
1.7
The "Other" category included the following suggestions:
*
benefits to investors
*
protection of other countries from GM disaster
*
fewer chemical inputs
*
provision of seed and food for poor under-nourished countries
*
support of universities' international status
*
beneficial exploitation of environment;
*
avoidance of trade embargoes
*
benefits to human society.
Multiple response
Table 3.18 Opportunities from genetic modification use (n = 1461)
Section 3: Public Submissions
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Royal Commission on Genetic Modification | Report Appendix 3
Opportunities from avoidance of genetic
modification
Public submitters were relatively united in their views about the opportunities
presented by genetic modification avoidance. Of the 5375 who wrote about
opportunities, 71.1% stated their belief that New Zealand would gain substantial
competitive advantage from developing our organic agricultural and horticultural
sectors. Twenty percent anticipated competitive advantage from remaining genetic
modification-free. Others identified environmental and health benefits. (See Table
3.19.)
Public submitters saw genetic modification avoidance as an opportunity to
overcome New Zealand's current lack of competitive advantage, as primary
producers struggle to compete with larger economies and producers and increase
their market share. By remaining genetic modification-free and shifting to organic
production processes, submitters argued, New Zealand has the unique opportunity
to develop niche markets in specialist, high quality organic products.
It is worth noting the confusion that some public submitters seemed to have in
their understanding of the distinction between genetic modification-free and
organic. Sometimes their comments suggested they perceived them as the same
thing and sometimes their comments suggested that they thought current
production processes were organic, that is that organic production is the alternative
to genetic modification-enhanced production. However, others acknowledged
New Zealand's currently high use of fertilisers and pesticides, and the negative
impacts of these on current organic production.
Submitters described how New Zealand could take advantage of its isolation and
relatively unpolluted environment by remaining genetic modification-free in a
world where genetic modification avoidance by other countries is likely to be rare.
The country would be well-placed to provide organic produce to meet growing
demand from countries that can not meet their own needs given their genetic
modification use. Some cited evidence that products of genetic modification are
already losing their appeal and market share. Further, given that these larger
economies would be precluded from participating in this niche market, our
producers would not need to compete with larger producers that currently have
economies of scale that make them more competitive.
Submitters also argued that New Zealand could become a world leader in its
rejection of genetic modification technologies in the same way as its anti-nuclear
stance gives New Zealand a special status (in which many submitters expressed
pride). New Zealand could also become a world leader in organic production
techniques and research.
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Section 3: Public Submissions
Report Appendix 3 | Roy al Commission on Genetic M odification
Opportunities from GM-avoidance
Number
%
Competitive advantage from organic production
3825
71.1
Environmental benefits
1283
23.9
Competitive advantage from GM-free production
1074
20.0
Protect human health
1070
19.9
New global leadership role
570
10.6
Generalised national economic benefits
484
9.0
Specific economic benefits (eg tourism, alternative farming, seedbank)
10
0.2
Other
12
0.2
The "Other" category included the following suggestions:
*
protecting the disabled from genetic discrimination
*
maintaining environmental and cultural integrity.
Multiple response
Table 3.19 Opportunities from genetic modification avoidance (n =
5375)
Section 3: Public Submissions
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Royal Commission on Genetic Modification | Report Appendix 3