The Ministry for the Environment is commissioning a study into whether New Zealand's tight controls on foreign organisms are hindering business.
There has been criticism of the ministry from opponents of genetic modification, who say it is setting the scene for a law change.
The review will focus on whether the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act is restricting progress in biotechnology.
Although the study covers all sorts of organisms, the ministry has specifically asked that issues related to genetic modification be included.
GE-Free New Zealand and the Green Party say the ministry is trying to find evidence current laws are hurting businesses in order to justify a law change.
But the National Party and Labour Party say they have no plans to change the laws on genetic modification, if elected.
