Analysis of Public
Submissions
Analysis of
Public Submissions
3.
section 3.4 |
appendix 3
Outcomes of Consultation: Submissions
from the Public
Section contents
3.
Analysis of Public Submissions
22
3.4
Use of genetic modification, genetically modified
organisms and products
53
Background
53
Outline of this section
53
How genetic modification technology is being used
55
Report Appendix 3 | Royal Commission on Genetic Modification
Section 3: Public Submissions
| H1 | p53
Royal Commission on Genetic Modification | Report Appendix 3
3.4 Use of genetic
modification, genetically
modified organisms and
products
Background
Warrant item (a) calls for information about the current use of genetic modification
in New Zealand:
where, how, and for what purpose genetic modification, genetically modified organisms,
and products are being used in New Zealand at present
Three categories of genetic modification activity occur across land-based
production, environment, human health and food production. These include:
*
pure science exploration of genes and the manipulation of genes and DNA
sequences
*
applied research and technology development in which genetically modified
products and genetic modification technologies are devised, evaluated and
tested
*
the end-use of genetic modification products, processes, organisms and
technologies outside experimental or developmental contexts.
Amongst the public submissions, few provided details about activities, other than
anecdotal information about what they believed was occurring. However, some of
the more substantial submissions, especially those from related industry and
research organisations, contained detail about current activity. Most, however,
provided general references to activity submitters believed were occurring with
little or no detail about the exact location of it.
Outline of this section
This section of the report shows public submitters' perceptions about how and
where genetic modification technology is currently used in New Zealand.
Section 3: Public Submissions
| H1 | p53
Royal Commission on Genetic Modification | Report Appendix 3
p54 |
Section 3: Public Submissions
Report Appendix 3 | Roy al Commission on Genetic M odification
Perceived uses
Number
%
Food unspecified
4858
63.6
General reference to GMOs, products or items
4040
52.9
Crops ­ food production
2463
32.2
Crops ­ non-food production
2263
29.6
Applied research ­ farming production (including field trials)
1774
23.2
Pure research
930
12.2
Environmental management (includes possum control)
600
7.9
Human health ­ non-defined
569
7.4
Human health ­ treatment
425
5.6
Horticulture ­ food
320
4.2
Farming not otherwise defined
294
3.8
Stock ­ food
210
2.7
Horticulture ­ non-food production
183
2.4
Food manufacturing
179
2.3
Applied research ­ human health
177
2.3
Stock ­ non-food
128
1.7
Animal health ­ non-defined
85
1.1
Applied research ­ animal health
83
1.1
Forestry production ­ undefined
76
1.0
Dairy
71
0.9
Fish production
64
0.8
Applied research ­ forestry
56
0.7
Human health ­ vaccines
49
0.6
Applied research ­ environmental protection
44
0.6
Human health ­ diagnostics/testing
23
0.3
Bee and honey production
21
0.3
Other manufacturing
16
0.2
Animal health ­ diagnostics/testing
10
0.1
Animal health ­ vaccines
7
0.1
Game production
5
0.1
Multiple response
Table 3.9
Public submitters' perceptions of genetic modification
use in New Zealand and overseas (n = 7641)
p54 |
Section 3: Public Submissions
Report Appendix 3 | Roy al Commission on Genetic M odification
Section 3: Public Submissions
| H1 | p55
Royal Commission on Genetic Modification | Report Appendix 3
How genetic modification technology is
being used
Although Warrant item (a) sought information about where, how and for what
purpose genetic modification activities were currently occurring in New Zealand,
submitters rarely referred to the purpose of activities and where they might occur.
Public submitters also often wrote about genetic modification activities here and
overseas, rather than limiting their comments to New Zealand. Further, the
activities they listed were concentrated in the areas about which they expressed
most anxiety. As Table 3.9 shows, these were food related: food (unspecified) and
crops for food.
It was difficult to assess whether or not public submitters were aware of the wide
range of applications for genetic modification. The vast majority limited their
comments to genetically modified food, but it is unclear whether this was because
that was the only application of which they were aware, or whether they were
primarily concerned with food and merely chose not to comment on other areas
(eg medical applications).
Section 3: Public Submissions
| H1 | p55
Royal Commission on Genetic Modification | Report Appendix 3