test scientist doing laboratory experiments with fertilisers. Photo: 123RF
National is promising to change the longstanding GE laws if it becomes the government, so which sectors might move first in response? Yesterday we covered new research showing consumers are still hesitant to support genetic modification and gene editing in New Zealand - as the debate re-enters 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. National is promising to change the longstanding GE laws if it becomes the government, a move many in the tech and farming sectors see as overdue. A recently released Plant and Food Research survey we discussed on the programme yesterday 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 genetically edited produce. Kathryn speaks with Agritech CEO Brendan O'Connell.
