Photo: CHASSENET / BSIP via AFP
New research shows consumers are still hesitant to support genetic modification and gene editing in New Zealand as the debate reenters the political agenda. Gene editing involves making a change to the DNA of an organism - differing from genetic modification which involves introducing DNA from another plant or animal. the practice is tightly controlled by the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, which aside from some amendments, dates back to 1996. National is promising to change the longstanding GE laws if they get into power. A Plant and Food Research survey shows about 62 percent of New Zealand and Australian consumers would be willing to buy produce grown using controlled environment agriculture, such as vertical farming. But only 43 percent say they would buy generically edited produce. Denise Conroy is the Future Urban Consumer programme leader at Plant & Food Research.
