Graham Adams: Tikanga inserted into cutting-edge gene bill

In August 2024, the then-Minister of Science, Innovation, and Technology, Judith Collins, announced legislation to end New Zealand’s nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab. She described the move as “a major milestone in modernising gene technology laws.”

In her Beehive media release, she said, “The changes we’re announcing today will allow researchers and companies to further develop and commercialise their innovative products. Importantly, it will help New Zealanders to better access treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy, which has been clinically proven to effectively treat some cancers. It can also help our farmers and growers mitigate emissions and increase productivity, all of which benefits our economy.”

Pee Kay: Gene Technology Bill and Co-Governance

A recent Taxpayers’ Union (TPU) e-mail to members featured their position on the Gene Technology Bill.

The TPU say “The Gene Technology Bill is the Government’s attempt to “modernise” New Zealand’s laws around gene editing and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It introduces what the Government describes as a “risk-based” regulatory framework that allows low-risk gene technologies to be exempt from cumbersome red tape, while still tightly controlling high-risk applications.”

Dr Guy Hatchard: The Gene Technology Bill Will Allow Gene Edited Microorganisms to Be Labelled as Natural

… and Sold to an Unwitting Public.

Last chance to have your say. Submissions close on Monday 17th February

A year ago Jennifer Doudna, Nobel Laureate co-inventor of CRISPR gene editing technology announced a ground breaking project to edit human and animal microbiomes in the gut, promising to cure diseases like asthma and Alzheimer’s and also ameliorate climate change (???) by altering the metabolic processes of animals and humans. Now today the NZ government is proposing to deregulate such biotechnology experimentation including gene editing of microorganisms.

Nick Clark: Time to modernise New Zealand’s gene technology rules

It is hard to believe today, but a TV interview about genetic modification (GM) once upended an election campaign. That interview cast a long shadow over the use of GM in New Zealand.

For those too young to remember, in July 2002, just a few weeks before a general election, Prime Minister Helen Clark was interviewed by TV3’s John Campbell. It was a fiery encounter. Campbell, citing an impending book by Nicky Hager, Seeds of Distrust, alleged that GM corn had been accidentally released into New Zealand’s food supply and the incident covered up.

Clark was blindsided by Campbell’s questioning and was visibly angry. Afterwards, she referred to him as a ’little creep’. ‘Corngate’ was born.

Dr Guy Hatchard: How Biotechnology Threatens to Distort Human Behaviour and Undermine Well Being

We have arrived at the crossroads of our lifetime

There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that we are at a crossroads. New Zealand legislation is in progress to deregulate biotechnology experimentation. If passed, the general public will become guinea pigs in a raft of diverse projects. Unlabelled gene edited foods will fill our plates and affect our gut unannounced.

Dr Guy Hatchard: Gene Technology Bill.....

The Big Debate: How Many New Doctors Will NZ Need if the Gene Technology Bill is Passed?

Currently, there are 19,350 doctors in New Zealand; that’s one for every 264 people. According to Hon. Judith Collins, our Minister for Business Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE), we are all going to live longer and enjoy better health as a result of the massive deregulation contained in the Gene Technology Bill.

In this article, we are going to examine this claim very carefully. If passed, the Bill will change New Zealand irrevocably, we need a deep dive and a proper debate.

Dr Guy Hatchard: The Gene Technology Bill Contains a Covert Assault on Our Kiwi Culture

Anyone living in New Zealand today will be aware of how much we, as individuals and as a people, value our identity and cultural values. We know from our everyday acquaintances, colleagues, family members or whanau that we must maintain respect for individual preferences and ideas. We have always known from the beginning that we need the space to live as we believe. This has been a vital part of Kiwi life stretching back to our forebears.

Dr Guy Hatchard: The Gene Technology Bill Has Exposed a Knowledge Deficit.....

The Gene Technology Bill Has Exposed a Knowledge Deficit at the Heart of the NZ Parliamentary Process


Yesterday, the discovery of a oriental fruit fly in Auckland caused a panic and a ban on the movement of fruit and vegetables. Biosecurity New Zealand said that “if the insect was to establish itself in the country, the horticulture industry would suffer massive economic costs”. At the ultimate core of the problem is the particular genetic makeup of this foreign fruit fly, yet somehow, the New Zealand government thinks that deregulating biotechnology experimentation is a very good idea. Good luck with that.

Dr Guy Hatchard: Analysis of Misinformation in the Gene Technology Bill....

Analysis of Misinformation in the Gene Technology Bill and Suggestions for Submissions and Discussions

A Long but Necessary Read – New Research Findings on Dangers of Gene Technology Reported

Alarming Developments in Australia Following Their Gene Deregulation

Dr Guy Hatchard: Major Alert - New Zealand Government is Enshrining ‘Medical Mandates’ in Law

There is a revolution in progress, and it is not a bloodless revolution.

The Gene Technology Bill introduced to Parliament this week includes the following provisions:—

Dr Guy Hatchard: The Risks of Biotechnology Deregulation are Unquantifiable

The Gene Technology Bill currently being introduced into the New Zealand parliament and fast tracked will allow for the appointment of a regulator to categorise gene edited products by risk.

The bill has already deemed a wide range of gene editing techniques as ‘low risk’ which will be proceeded, released into the environment, put into food or used in medicine without labelling, warnings or safety monitoring. In effect this will turn New Zealand into a laboratory for largely unfettered gene experimentation leaving the public at the sharp end of risk. So what are the risks and how do you assess them when it comes to gene editing?

Dr Guy Hatchard: Response to Expert Opinions....

Response to Expert Opinions Issued by the Science Media Centre in Support of the Gene Technology Bill

Formal Response to the Expert Opinions Issued by the Science Media Centre in Support of the Gene Technology Bill introduced to Parliament.

For the Attention of: Media, Biotech Researchers, Members of Parliament and Cabinet.