New Zealand to end gene tech ban

New Zealand is ending its nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab to bring health, productivity and climate gains for Kiwis, reported Xinhua.

Legislation is expected to go to Parliament by the end of the year, removing regulatory hurdles that have been in place for the last 30 years and implementing a dedicated regulator to oversee gene technology applications and manage potential risks, said Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins on Tuesday.

The move will allow researchers and companies to further develop and commercialize their innovative products, Collins said, adding it will help New Zealanders to better access treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy to effectively treat some cancers, and help farmers and growers mitigate emissions and increase productivity.

New Zealand's biotech sector, of which gene technology is a part, generated 2.7 billion NZ dollars (1.63 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue in 2020, government statistics show.

Restrictive rules and time-consuming processes have made research outside the lab almost impossible, resulting in New Zealand falling behind, Collins said, adding these changes will bring New Zealand up to global best practice and ensure the country can capitalize on the benefits.

The new legislation will be based on Australia's Gene Technology Act 2000, which will be modified to work here in New Zealand, the minister said, adding the legislation is expected to be passed with the regulator in operation by the end of 2025.

Zahra Champion, executive director of BioTechNZ, said that current regulations for genetic technologies are outdated and not fit for purpose. For years, they have been hampering companies and researchers from keeping pace with scientific advancements and have been stifling innovation.

"New Zealand can no longer afford to shy away from the transformative potential of cutting-edge genetic technologies," said Alec Foster of the research institute Scion.

This opens up a wide array of opportunities that are key to achieving important environmental and societal goals while also improving productivity, Foster said.