7 Jun 2009

AgResearch loses bid to expand GM animal research

6:11 pm on 7 June 2009

The lobby group GE-Free New Zealand has won a legal challenge to an AgResearch application to expand its research into genetically modified animals.

The Crown Research Institute had applied to the Environmental Risk Management Authority to continue research into genetically modifying cows to include human proteins in their milk.

It also wanted to broaden its investigations to include a range of animals, with the aim of producing pharmaceuticals and other products that might have health benefits and commercial applications.

But a High Court Judge agreed with GE Free NZ that the application lacked essential information required under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, and said ERMA erred by receiving the application in the first place.