The Government is ending New Zealand’s nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab, which will benefit New Zealanders in terms of health, productivity, and climate.
Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister Judith Collins announced that legislation ending the ban and implementing a dedicated regulator to oversee applications using gene technology will be introduced to Parliament by the end of the year.
“This is a major milestone in modernising gene technology laws to enable us to improve health outcomes, adapt to climate change, deliver massive economic gains and improve the lives of New Zealanders,” said Collins.
“New Zealand has lagged behind countries, including Australia, England, Canada and many European nations, in allowing this technology to benefit their people and economies.”
New Zealand’s biotech sector, which includes gene technology, generated $2.7 billion in revenue in 2020.
“The changes we’re announcing today will allow researchers and companies to develop further and commercialise their innovative products. Importantly, it will help New Zealanders access better treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy, which has been clinically proven to treat some cancers effectively. It can also help our farmers and growers mitigate emissions and increase productivity, which benefits our economy.”
Restrictive rules and time-consuming processes have made research outside the lab almost impossible, leaving New Zealand behind. These changes will bring New Zealand to global best practices and ensure we can capitalise on the benefits.
The new legislation will be based on Australia’s Gene Technology Act 2000 and modified to work here in New Zealand. Like Australia, a regulator will be established to enable the science while managing potential risks to human health and the environment.
“Updating gene technology laws while ensuring solid protections for human health and the environment is something we campaigned on and committed to in the Government’s coalition agreements with the New Zealand First and ACT parties and the Prime Minister’s Q3 Plan.”
They are working to have the legislation passed and the regulator in operation by the end of 2025.
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